Launch of CPIA Africa 2024: Structural Reforms for a Vibrant Private Sector

Dramani Bukari is an authority in the areas of entrepreneurship, sustainable energy, and international development. His unwavering commitment to fostering partnerships, driving innova-tion, and effecting positive change resonates throughout his career and accomplishments. He is currently the Director of Entrepreneurship, Partnerships, and Investments at the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre (GCIC). A seasoned professional with a career spanning over 16 years, he brings a wealth of experience from both international and national development organizations, having made significant contributions in both the UK and Ghana.

Dramani's career is marked by his active involvement in steering international development projects funded by institutions such as the World Bank, IFAD, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Global Affairs Canada, and UKRI-GCRF. His contributions to these initiatives have consistently exhibited a commitment to fostering positive change and sustainable growth in various global contexts.

He earned his BA (Hons) in Economics from KNUST, an MSc. in Energy Economics from the University of Dundee in the UK, and a PhD in Sustainable Energy Technologies from KNUST.

Kosi Antwiwaa Yankey – Ayeh is the first woman to lead Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), focused on supporting entrepreneurs and SMEs in Ghana.

With a Master’s from Harvard Kennedy School, she has a background in investment banking and entrepreneurship. Mrs. Kosi played a key role in passing Ghana’s MSME policy, increasing GEA's budget significantly, and creating the WERise Women Entrepreneurship Network. Her leadership resulted in over 300,000 MSMEs accessing $200 million, creating and sustaining over 100,000 jobs, and raising funds for Ghana's development.

She also led successful interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to business recovery and growth, and has a passion for mentoring and empowering women globally.

She is an inspiring icon to all and hopes to encourage the youth to pursue their dreams and grow their entrepreneurial spirits.

Prof. Abdoulaye Ndiaye is currently an Assistant Professor of Economics at New York University, Leonard N. Stern School of Business, and a Research Affiliate at the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR).  

His research focuses on macroeconomics, public finance, and development economics. 

He completed his undergraduate studies in mathematics at École Polytechnique in Paris and my Ph.D. in economics at Northwestern University. Subsequently, I was a postdoc at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. I have held several visiting appointments, including at the Opportunity and Inclusive Growth Institute at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, the Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics at Yale University, and as Senior Advisor to the Minister of the Economy, Planning and International Cooperation of Senegal. 

My proudest achievement is being featured in the Style section of the New York Times, where I was showcased wearing the grand boubou, a traditional garment from my native Senegal.

Cordie Aziz Nash, is the founder and C.E.O of Environment360, a Ghana based social enterprise that supports reduction of plastic pollution through the development of collection points and processing centers that empower informal sector plastic waste collectors.

Environment360 is the first African organization to receive Verra certification for the trade of plastic credits; and credited by the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technoloty and Innovation for developing the first successful community recycling program, Evolve.

Mrs. Aziz Nash has extensive experience in developing and rendering training programs to informal sector plastic collectors, as well as helping early entry stage entrepreneurs develop blueprints to scale impact and activity.

She holds a master degree in Public Administration from Bowie State, in Maryland. As well as a bachelor degree in Mass Communications from Jackson State University in Jackson, MS.

Before starting Environment360, Mrs. Aziz Nash worked for the United States Congress Committee on Homeland Security and served as the Public Relations Director for the National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, the training organization for the largest electrical union in the United States.

David Ofosu-Dorte, Senior Partner, AB & David Africa

Founder and Senior Partner of AB & David Africa, a pan-Africa business law firm with offices in Ghana, Zambia, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Kenya. His experience cuts across almost 3 decades of lead advisory roles in diverse multidisciplinary projects. He has been described as “highly regarded” (IFLR 1000, 2020), “… a highly esteemed figure … who earns recognition for his diverse commercial practice." (Chambers Global 2020)" and “… exceptionally strong in ensuring that client requirements are delivered. He always brings innovation to issues due to his wide experience internationally" (Chambers Global 2022). He is ranked #1 for Projects and Energy (Chambers Global 2023) “... He is notably involved in transactional mandates”.

David is a passionate pan-Africanist with an in-depth knowledge of the financial, socio-economic and political issues in Africa’s constantly evolving ecosystem. His deep insights are great value to clients seeking to succeed in Africa and he is the go-to-person when boardrooms require balanced analysis of issues that impact business development in Africa. He is also an executive of the AfroChampions organisation which has spearheaded several Pan-African private sector initiatives. He co-authored the Private Sector Trillion-Dollar Investment Framework for Africa in support of the AfCFTA which was adopted by the summit of Africa Union in February 2020.

In addition to being a Barrister and Solicitor, David holds a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration, a Masters in Public Administration and a Masters in Applied Business Research.

Andrew Dabalen is the World Bank’s Africa Region Chief Economist since July 1, 2022. The Chief Economist is responsible for providing guidance on strategic priorities and the technical quality of economic analysis in the region, as well as for developing major regional economic studies, among other roles.

He has held various positions including Senior Economist in the World Bank’s Europe and Central Asia Region, Lead Economist and Practice Manager for Poverty and Equity in Africa and most recently, Practice Manager for Poverty and Equity in the South Asia Region. His research and scholarly publications focused on poverty and social impact analysis, inequality of opportunity, program evaluation, risk and vulnerability, labor markets, and conflict and welfare outcomes. He has co-authored regional reports on equality of opportunity for children in Africa, vulnerability and resilience in the Sahel, and poverty in a rising Africa. 

A Kenyan national, Dabalen holds a master’s degree in International Development from University of California - Davis, and a PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics from University of California - Berkeley.

Bernardino Koku Avle is a Ghanaian broadcast journalist who hosts one of the most popular radio shows in Ghana, “The Citi Breakfast Show.” He also created and anchored a highly-rated current affairs TV show on Viasat One TV-“The Ghana Report,” until December 2016, and serves as the Director of News Programming at Citi 97.3 FM in Accra. Bernard produces and presents “The Citi Business Edition,” a flagship business analysis program that hosts business thinkers on a variety of contemporary business topics.

He is a Founding Director of iJourno Africa- a fast-growing network of data journalism enthusiasts who mentor & train young reporters on the basics of knowledge-based journalism. Bernard was recently named one of Ghana’s 20 most influential business leaders under 40 by the Business World Magazine. An Edward R. Murrow Fellow of Journalism and a Chevening Scholar, Bernard holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Ghana and an MBA from Warwick University in the UK. Bernard is a Fellow of the fifth class of the Africa Leadership Initiative – West Africa and is a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.