2026 Speakers

Redouane AhdajChef Districts Caténaire, INFRAWAY Maroc – Groupe ONCF Redouane Ahdaj is a senior catenary district manager at INFRAWAY Maroc under the ONCF Group, where he oversees the operation, maintenance, and reliability of Morocco’s overhead line and electrification systems. With a technical...

Chief Executive OfficerGhana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) Greater Accra Region, Ghana  Dr. Freddie Appoh PhD MBA Ceng serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), where he is driving strategic reforms to liberalise Ghana’s railway sector and...

Stanley CheruiyotGeneral Manager – Business & Commercial Services, Kenya Railways Stanley Cheruiyot is the General Manager of Business and Commercial Services at Kenya Railways, where he oversees revenue growth across freight operations, property rentals, leasing, and wider commercial...

Mehdi DibChief Technology Officer, EPE Rail Electr (SNTF Subsidiary) Mehdi Dib serves as the Chief Technology Officer at EPE Rail Electr, a subsidiary of the National Railway Company of Algeria (SNTF). He oversees the organisation’s technology strategy, digital systems, and rail electrification...

Rudi DicksRudi Dicks is the Head of the Project Management Office in the Presidency of South Africa, where he leads several national priority programmes, including the Presidential Employment Stimulus and the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative. He plays a central role in driving the...

Abd-Elwahab Afifi is a Railway Project Manager at Egyptian National Railways and an expert in ETCS and advanced signalling systems, with extensive experience delivering large-scale rail modernisation and safety-critical projects. He currently leads the ETCS Level 1 migration programme, overseeing...

Thabo Gabanamotse is the Director of Projects at Botswana Railways, providing executive leadership in the strategic planning and delivery of the organisation’s capital and infrastructure project portfolio. In his role, Thabo is responsible for ensuring robust project governance, alignment with...

Willem Gous: Transforming Rail Networks through Entrepreneurial Thinking Willem Gous is a globally recognised speaker, trainer, and author with over 25 years of experience in the entrepreneurial field. His mission is to help individuals and organisations harness entrepreneurial thinking to drive...

Ahmed Hassan is the Director of Electrical Signalling Maintenance Planning at Egyptian National Railways, responsible for the strategic oversight of preventive and corrective maintenance across the national signalling network. He leads long-term maintenance planning to ensure system...

Glory Jonga is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in the field of transport infrastructure. As a Senior Advisor at AUDA-NEPAD, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of transportation in Africa. With a strong background in project management and strategic planning, Glory is ...

Yolisa Kani is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in the transportation and logistics industry. Currently serving as the Chief Business Development Officer at Transnet SOC Ltd., Yolisa is responsible for driving strategic initiatives to enhance the company's market...

Thembi Lekganyane is a seasoned professional with experience in the logistics, operations management, consulting and most recently in the rail industry. Currently serving as the General Manager of Strategy at Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM), she has a strong background in strategic...

Warwick Lord is a qualified Chartered Accountant and the CEO of Cato Ridge Inland Port,  where he is currently completing a 20-year project to develop the Cato Ridge Inland Port. He also serves as the Chairman of the Multimodal Inland Port Association (MIPA). Previously, he was the Land Development ...

Lutando Maboza, Pr Tech EngDirector: Transport, City of Johannesburg Lutando Maboza, a registered Professional Engineering Technologist, serves as the Director of Transport at the City of Johannesburg. With a strong technical foundation and academic training from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan...

Edwin MacholaProjects Manager, Botswana Railways Edwin Machola is a Projects Manager at Botswana Railways, where he oversees the planning, execution, and delivery of key rail infrastructure initiatives that support the country’s transport and logistics network. With a background in engineering and ...

Sandile is currently the Acting GM responsible for network maintenance and infrastructure development at TRIM. He has 29 years’ experience working in engineering and project development environment. He gained his technical expertise in electrical engineering in general and railway engineering in...

Mohamed is a senior rail operations executive with over 15 years of experience in large-scale transportation organizations. Having built his career across three companies, he brings deep expertise in operational leadership, service delivery, and performance management within national rail systems. ...

Athanacious Makgamatha General Manager: Signals & Telecommunications, Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) Athanacious Makgamatha is the General Manager for Signals and Telecommunications at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA). He oversees the...

Tshepo Mothoagae is the Chief Information Officer at the Railway Safety Regulator in South Africa, where he plays a pivotal role in enhancing safety and technological integration within the country's rail sector. Currently a PhD candidate specializing in 4IR and Robotics, Tshepo’s research...

Timothy Mudau is an accomplished transport and logistics professional currently serving as the Deputy Director of Transport, Logistics, and Warehouse Operations at the University of the Witwatersrand. With over 15 years of leadership experience, he has played a pivotal role in enhancing service...

Yohannes Tesfaye Muleta Director, Information Technology, Ethiopian Railways Corporation (ERC) Yohannes Tesfaye Muleta serves as the Director of IT at the Ethiopian Railways Corporation, leading digital transformation, network services, and technology innovation across Ethiopia’s national rail...

Thembani Ncayiyana is a seasoned professional with a multifaceted skill set, bringing a unique blend of technical expertise and leadership acumen in safety management and oversight. His extensive experience spans multiple sectors, including regulatory, petrochemical, energy distribution, rail, and...

Mesela NhlapoChief Executive Officer ARIA, Africa Rail Industry AssociationMesela Nhlapo Professional BiographyMesela Nhlapo is a distinguished leader with over two decades of experience in the rail and transportation industry, notably serving as the CEO of ARIA and the Africa Director for the Rail ...

Ayoub R’kiba has over 8 years of experience in railway operations and signalling, currently serving as Chef District Signalisation et Télécommunication LGV at Groupe ONCF. In this role, he oversees maintenance and supervision of high-speed rail signalling and telecommunication systems, manages...

Howard Rosen C.B.E, M.A. (Oxon) is an English solicitor and founder of Howard Rosen Solicitors and Rosetrust AG in Zug, Switzerland, specialising in international commercial, finance, and leasing law. Since 1996, he has chaired the UNIDROIT Rail Working Group, contributing to the development of the ...

Korir Ruto is a Senior ICT Officer at Kenya Railways Corporation, with extensive experience in managing and optimising ICT infrastructure to support reliable and secure rail operations. He is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of technology solutions that enhance system...

Dr. Andile is a seasoned executive and board leader with extensive experience across diverse organizations. Over a distinguished career spanning seven companies, Dr. Andile has demonstrated consistent excellence in strategic leadership, corporate governance, and institutional oversight at the...

Sanet SmitPrincipal Engineer, Energy and Motion | Transnet Engineering Sanet Smit is a Principal Engineer at Transnet Engineering, specialising in energy systems and motion technologies for rail operations. She plays a key role in developing and implementing engineering solutions that enhance...

Yohannes Tesfaye Muleta Director of ICT, Ethiopian Railways Corporation Yohannes Tesfaye Muleta leads digital transformation and strategic technology initiatives at the Ethiopian Railways Corporation. He drives operational efficiency, system integration, and sustainable growth, leveraging smart...

Fitsum TsegayeBridge, Tunnel and Structure Team Leader, Ethiopian Railways Corporation Fitsum Tsegaye serves as the Bridge, Tunnel and Structure Team Leader at the Ethiopian Railways Corporation. In this role, he oversees the planning, development, and maintenance of structural works across...

Grace TshikhudoGroup Head: Data Strategy & Planning, Transnet SOC Ltd | Certified Director Grace Tshikhudo is a Johannesburg-based data and strategy leader, serving as Group Head of Data Strategy & Planning at Transnet SOC Ltd. With an MBA and credentials as a certified director and...

Ogi WilliamsDirector, In On Africa Ogi Williams is a Director at In On Africa, where he focuses on energy, commodities, and political developments across the continent. He has contributed to high-level discussions on the effectiveness of regional intellectual property systems in Africa, the...