Rooted in Africa: African Startups with Global Outreach (Panel Discussion with Stellenbosch University)
Book now to join an engaging Alumni Thought Leadership event hosted by the Stellenbosch Business School Alumni Association in collaboration with ESSEC Business School and ESSEC Alumni Africa in France.
This in-person panel will explore the rise of African startups on the global stage, focusing on innovation, scaling strategies, ecosystem development, and cross-border collaboration between Africa and Europe. The discussion will highlight real-world founder experiences, investment landscapes, and the future of Africa’s role in global tech ecosystems.
Please reserve a ticket at the bottom of this event page.
SPEAKERS
Fred Fabo Onanina
Founder, OFTY Group | Creator of ANDAAL
A visionary entrepreneur from the African diaspora, Fred Fabo Onanina is the founder of OFTY Group – a digital ecosystem built for Africa. Through ANDAAL, he is developing a pan-African cultural and educational marketplace that connects African authors and publishers to global audiences, transforming African knowledge into an accessible global asset.
His core belief is that culture is the primary engine of sustainable development in Africa, and his work is dedicated to scaling African creativity, knowledge systems, and digital infrastructure across global markets.
Prof Martin Butler
Professor of Digital Business | MBA Director, Vlerick Business School
Martin Butler is Professor of Digital Business and MBA Director at Vlerick Business School in Belgium, and a visiting professor at the American University in Cairo, the University of Galway, and Stellenbosch University. He also serves on several industry bodies, including the EFMD MBA Conference Committee, where he will chair the 2026 EFMD MBA Conference in Brussels.
He joined academia after a 15-year career in the IT industry, where he progressed from software development and business analysis to digital advisory roles for global organisations including Engen and JPMorgan.
His expertise lies at the intersection of digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cyber resilience, and the business value of technology. He designs and teaches courses on AI, emerging technologies, cybersecurity, and organisational resilience, and advises organisations on strengthening digital capability in an era of rapid technological change.
Martin is widely published in accredited journals and regularly contributes to global conferences and business media. He also serves on the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Enterprise Information Systems. He is passionate about teaching and values the exchange of ideas with executives and students in the classroom.
Nelson Amenya
MBA candidate, HEC Paris | Strategy & Innovation Consultant
Nelson Amenya is an award-winning whistleblower and strategy and innovation consultant focused on advancing ethical leadership and sustainable transformation across Africa. He previously led creative teams at Carrefour East Africa before transitioning into public policy and innovation consulting.
An MBA graduate of HEC Paris, Nelson is recognised among the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2024. He mentors early-stage startups and advises on governance, innovation, and institutional reform.
His work champions a future where transparency, accountability, and innovation drive Africa’s growth, with a strong focus on ethical systems and inclusive opportunity creation.
Patricia Charlec
Associate Director: Europe/Africa and Asia | P2C Agency (France)
Patricia Charlec is a digital transformation and change management specialist with over 15 years of experience supporting organisations across global, multicultural environments. She currently works in interim management and executive search, helping companies and institutions achieve strategic transformation and operational excellence.
She operates across the water, energy, banking, and technology sectors, with a strong focus on leadership transition, innovation, and organisational change.
Patricia completed an Executive Programme at ESSEC Business School in 2015 and is President and Founder of the ESSEC Alumni Africa Club in France. She is deeply committed to strengthening Africa–Europe collaboration and advancing inclusive leadership across regions.
Vincent Mahloko
Founder | Operator | MBA (HEC Paris)
Vincent Mahloko is a multi-time founder and former Allan Gray Senior Operations Leader working at the intersection of startups, corporate institutions, and capital allocation. He holds an MBA from HEC Paris.
His work focuses on connecting founders with the capital, networks, and strategic partnerships needed to scale ventures across African and European markets.
Vincent is deeply engaged in building Africa–Europe innovation ecosystems and supporting founders as they navigate growth, funding, and cross-border expansion.
MODERATOR
Sine Maphumulo
Senior Financial Controller, Amazon France | Founder, Leave No One Behind (LNOB)
Sine Maphumulo is a finance professional and founder of Leave No One Behind (LNOB), a platform advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals with a focus on gender equality and inclusive development. She holds a Master’s in Development Finance from Stellenbosch Business School, where her research explored digital financial services and financial inclusion in Africa.
Based in Paris, Sine works at Amazon at the intersection of finance and operations, partnering with business teams to drive performance, optimise cost structures, and implement AI-enabled solutions that enhance decision-making and scalability. She has previously held finance leadership roles at L’Oréal, Diageo, Nestlé, and PepsiCo, gaining extensive experience across global markets and transformation environments.
A passionate advocate for inclusive growth, Sine has contributed to global platforms including the World Bank Youth Summit, Y20, the Women’s Forum, and the One Young World Academy. Her work sits at the intersection of finance, technology, and sustainable development, with a strong focus on shaping inclusive and future-ready leadership.
Staff ESSEC Alumni
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