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...

David Cuesta is a seasoned rail sector professional with a career spanning since 2010. Beginning as an engineer at ADIF, he specialised in software systems for railway operations, notably in planning and train management. Transitioning to the ERTMS Users Group in Brussels in 2017, David became a...

Tobiyise Dhlamini is a dedicated Safety Specialist with extensive experience in the rail industry. Currently working at Transnet freight rail, Tobiyise is committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety and compliance within the rail sector. With a proven track record of implementing...

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...

Mr Fitch was previously Head of Rail Safety and Interoperability (2016 - 2024) in the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport in the European Commission, and in charge of transport research policy (2014 -16) in the same DG. Prior to that, Mr Fitch was Deputy Head of Cabinet of Siim...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

A results-driven commercial and operations professional with 24+ years of rail industry experience, currently serving as Railway Segment Manager, Southern Africa at SKF. Proven track record in driving profitable growth, managing strategic customer relationships, and delivering integrated...

Dr. Maximilian Matschke, Managing Partner of Anura Partners, leads Africa’s rail and infrastructure strategy, driving cross-border connectivity, logistics innovation, and economic transformation.

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...

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 ...

Adv. Michelle Phillips is the current Group Chief Executive of Transnet SOC Ltd and was appointed in this role effective 01 March 2024. She has 25 years' experience in Transnet, with a proven track record in business and operations improvement, especially in the port environment. In 2020, she...

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 ...

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...

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...