Corporate Leaders Program

Corporate Leaders Program

Overview


The Presidential Precinct, working in partnership with Axxess, will convene the 2025 Corporate Leaders Program, April 26 – May 4 for 12 business leaders who represent African and Diasporan communities. Together, these leaders will sharpen their business acumen and refine their business models for international trade and investment.

While in Charlottesville, Corporate Leaders share their knowledge and successful ventures with entrepreneurs, international trade specialists, and community members through curated networking and welcome events. The principal part of this program is a custom-built master class in business and executive leadership, presented by the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.

Corporate Leaders also attend the Corporate Council on Africa’s U.S-Africa Business Summit, where they connect with decision makers driving bilateral and regional business partnerships. This annual summit convenes more than 1,500 U.S. and African public and private sector executives including Heads of State, international investors, U.S. and African government officials, and multilateral stakeholders.

Meet the Leaders Below

2025 participants


Adhan Sheikh Abdullahi

Adhan Sheikh Abdullahi
CEO, Global Standing and Testing Centre
Board Director, Kenya Sugar Board
Kenya

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Hery Zo Andriamiarana

Hery Zo Andriamiarana
CEO & President, Kazak Ltd.
Madagascar

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Joycee Awosika

Joycee Awosika
Founder & Managing Director, ORIKI Group
Nigeria and the United States

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AlaSan Ceesay

AlaSan Ceesay
Founder & CEO, Rahma Gambia Ltd
Founder & CEO, AlaSan Holdings Ltd
Gambia and the United Kingdom

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Ehime Eigbe

Ehime Eigbe
Founder & CEO, Sweetkiwi Holdings
Nigeria

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Kikelomo Fola-Ogunniya

Kikelomo Fola-Ogunniya
Co-Founder, Cargoplug
Nigeria

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Tlamelo Cindy Melemo

Tlamelo Cindy Melemo
CEO, SoftBerry Solutions
Founder & President, WoTech Botswana
Botswana

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Chilufya Mutale-Mwila

Chilufya Mutale-Mwila
Co-Founder & Chief Visionary Officer, Eshandi Financial Services Ltd
Zambia

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Benard Odote

Benard Odote
Group CEO & Managing Director, House of Procurement (HOP Global)
Founder, Trade Financial Solutions & Equipment Group | ESG Impact Exchange
Kenya

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Funke Ogunde

Funke Ogunde
Founder, Funke Adepoju and Made in Lagos Marketplace
Nigeria

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Ifedolapo Runsewe

Ifedolapo Runsewe
Managing Director, FREEE Recycle Limited
Nigeria

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Joël Sikam

Joël Sikam
Founder & CEO, FISCO Industries
Cameroon

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Program Highlights


Charlottesville, Virginia

April 26 - May 4, 2025

Community and academic partners at the Presidential Precinct will come together to create a dynamic of week of networking, learning, and community building activities throughout Charlottesville.

Learn About the Darden School of Business

Luanda, Angola

June 22 – June 25, 2025

The 2025 U.S.-Africa Business Summit will take place in Luanda, Angola. At the 2024 Summit in Dallas, Texas, Corporate Leaders led a panel discussion, titled: From Hustle to Million Dollar Businesses: The Unfolding Story of African Entrepreneurs. View a full recording of that panel discussion here.

Funding


The Corporate Leaders Program is made possible by a generous gift from John Olajide, founder and CEO of Axxess, a leading home healthcare technology company in North America; Chairman of Cavista Holdings Limited, a diversified holding and investment company with interests in technology, agriculture, hospitality, fintech, energy and other sectors; and Board member at the Presidential Precinct. Mr. Olajide is chairman of the Corporate Council on Africa Board of Directors, building on two years of service as Vice Chair.

Meet John Olajide

Meet the 2024 Participants


Our inaugural Corporate Leaders Program cohort included 12 business leaders representing African and Diasporan communities.

Meet the 2024 Participants