Board of Directors
Dr. H.E. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim
Dr. H.E. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim is the Chairperson of the African Manufacturers Foundation (AMF), bringing to the organisation a distinguished legacy of scientific excellence, continental leadership, and global advocacy for Africa’s development. A renowned biodiversity scientist and former President of the Republic of Mauritius, she is widely respected for her commitment to innovation, education, industrial growth, and sustainable economic transformation across Africa.
As Chairperson of AMF, Dr. Gurib-Fakim champions the Foundation’s vision of building a globally competitive African manufacturing sector under the banner of “Made and Celebrated in Africa™.” Her leadership continues to inspire strategic partnerships, industrial advancement, and a new era of African-led value creation and beneficiation.
Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma
Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is a distinguished African stateswoman, medical doctor, and former Chairperson of the African Union Commission. With decades of leadership experience in government, diplomacy, and continental development, she has played a pivotal role in advancing African unity, economic integration, industrialisation, and social transformation.
As an Advisory Board Member of the African Manufacturers Foundation (AMF), Dr. Dlamini Zuma brings strategic insight, pan-African leadership, and a deep commitment to sustainable development and inclusive economic growth across the continent.
Mr Souleymane Soulama
Mr Souleymane Soulama is a seasoned communicator and expert in social marketing who has also served as mayor and a minister in his home country in Burkina Faso.
With extensive experience in communication strategy, urban mobility, territorial development and transport systems, the former minister of transport of Burkina Faso and former Mayor of Banfora, is a specialist in psychosociological studies and communication systems auditing.
He has represented his country in various international bodies such as the African Union, the European Union as well as the United Nations. In his home country, he is credited for leading and conceptualizing national projects that have been life-changing in many ways both as mayor and minister.
He is fluent in French, English, Dioula and Cierma and is a recipient of a number of national orders for his outstanding work and contribution to the development of Burkina Faso.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology majoring in Marketing and Advertising Option in France, Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology also in France and DEUG II in Psychology in Burkina Faso.
Mr Macford Sibandze
Mr Macford Sibandze is an Eswatini scholar, academic, think tank, renowned negotiator, consultant and a politician who has won many hats in his illustrious career and widely regarded as a born leader in his home country.
He holds several degrees in different fields he has ventured into such as Media Studies, Political Studies, Arts, Education, Communication, Business and Management. His leadership qualities and ingenuity has attracted the Western world where he is often invited in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom and Taiwan to workshop and make presentations.
A trained teacher, Sibandze also served in Eswatini parliament for 10 years and was once minister of tourism where he excelled by introducing innovative programs to draw tourists in his country.
Ms Mamphuto Jessie
Ms Mamphuto Jessie is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 14 years’ experience in Lesotho in fleet management, cleaning services and supply chain management.. She started her professional career with Avis Rent a Car Lesotho as a Branch Manager and later became the owner of the company. Mamphuto is a Shareholder and Managing Director of Avis Budget Rent-a-Car Lesotho, Exclusive Cleaners, Nola World, M&J Mining and River Rocks Mining Companies yet to mine Alluvial Diamonds. She is a successful business leader and continues to make strides in the transport and mining industries.
Mamphuto holds a Bachelor of Technology Degree in Public Relations in Communication Science and is a mother of two. She has also been on the board of the Maseru Preparatory School as head of the Human Resources Committee for 2 years; and as Chairperson of the Board for another 2 years.
Mamphuto is passionate about business and women’s empowerment. She is the new Chairperson of the Federation of Lesotho Women Entrepreneurs (FLWE) Maseru District. She seats as an Alternate Board member on the Millennium Challenge Account – Lesotho II (MCA-LESOTHO II) Board. Mamphuto is also a board member at Mogopa Mine. She is a Board Director on the Basotho Enterprises Development Corporation (BEDCO) Board. She is also the Founder and Chairperson of Lesotho Women in Mining Association (LEWIMA), the Treasurer of SADC Women in Mining Association (SADC WIMA) and a member of the Association of Women in Mining in Africa (AWIMA). She is a director and shareholder of the Lesotho Mining Indaba Khotla (KLMIK). She takes the development of young talent seriously and mentors young women starting out in business.
Abdi Aynte
Abdirahman Aynte (also known as Abdi Aynte) is a seasoned Somali statesman, policy leader, and public intellectual with over two decades of distinguished service across government, international organizations, media, and the private sector.
He currently serves as Chairman of the Xaqsoor & Haybad Qaran Alliance, the largest opposition political alliance in Somalia. His prior government roles include serving as Minister of Economic Planning and International Cooperation of the Federal Government of Somalia, Somali Ambassador to the United Kingdom, and Senior Political Advisor to a former President of Somalia.
On the international stage, Mr. Aynte held a senior leadership role at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), where he served as Director of Planning, Strategy and Operations, with postings in Jerusalem and Amman, Jordan.
A veteran journalist and editor of more than a decade, Mr. Aynte has reported and worked for some of the world’s most respected media organizations, including Al Jazeera English (Senior News Editor, Doha), the Voice of America Africa (News Editor), and the BBC’s Focus on Africa (Washington Correspondent).
Mr. Aynte is the Founder and inaugural Executive Director of the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies (HIPS) — Somalia’s largest think tank and a leading research center in the Horn of Africa — and the Founder and inaugural Managing Director of Laasfort Consulting Group (LCG), a regional governance and advisory firm headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.
He holds a B.A. in Journalism and Political Science from Metropolitan State University (St. Paul, Minnesota) and an M.A. in Government and International Studies from Johns Hopkins University (Washington, D.C.). He is fluent in Somali, Arabic, and English.
Dr Mukhisa Kituyi
Dr Mukhisa Kituyi is one of Kenya’s most hard working and beloved sons who has served as a parliamentarian, consultant and a researcher in his industrious career. One of his highly recognizable contributions in the continent was being a team of experts advising presidents of the East African Community president on how to establish more effective economic links from 2008 to 2012.
He also served as a consultant for the African Union Commission, where he helped to develop the structure for a pan-African free trade area as well as secretary-general for the United Nations Trade and Development. An academic and holder of high government office, he also has wide-ranging experience in trade negotiations and in African and broader international economics and diplomacy.
He studied political science and international relations at the University of Nairobi and at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, receiving a BA in 1982. He went on to earn an MPhil in 1986 and a doctorate in 1989 from the University of Bergen, Norway.