WIOCC-ASEF Young Talent Workshop | Moulding the Next Generation of Talent in Africa
09:00 – 09:45 | Opening Keynote & Panel
Keynote Address - Africa’s Next Digital Architects: Empowering Young Talent in Infrastructure
Speaker: Douglas Njenga, Director – Regulatory & Strategic Affairs, WIOCC Group and Director ASEF
Topic:
- Africa’s infrastructure boom & opportunities for young professionals
- How networks, cloud, and data centres are transforming economies
- Skills and mindset needed to thrive in a fast-evolving sector
Panel Discussion (25–30 mins): “From Learning to Leading: Preparing Africa’s Young Talent for the Infrastructure Era”
Moderator:
- Mark Tinka – Transmission Co.
Panellists:
- Judy Nguru – Senior Data Center Strategic Negotiator, Business Development, Google
- Caroline Kamaitha – General Manager, Raxio
- Nikki Popoola – Sales Director, WIOCC
- Aurelien Bayart – Regional Key Account Manager, Nokia
09:45 – 11:00 | Exhibition Tour for Students - Guided by Industry Hosts
11:00 – 11:15 | Coffee Break
11:15 – 12:40 | Student Engagement Session
Opening Keynote (10–15 mins)
Topic: “Leadership in Action: Building Africa’s Digital Future”
- Leading infrastructure projects in Africa
- The responsibility of young talent in shaping connectivity
- Lessons for the next generation of leaders
Quick-Fire Q&A with Industry Leaders (50 mins)
Session 1 (20 mins): “Pathways to Impact: How Young Talent Can Join and Lead Infrastructure Projects”
Speakers:
- Yashnath Issur– CEO Nxtra – Airtel Africa
- Charles Kupperusamy – COO, CMC Networks
Session 2 (20 mins): “Empowering Africa’s Next Digital Leaders: Linking Infrastructure Growth to Talent Development”
Speakers:
- Fiona Asonga – CEO, TESPOK
- Ben Roberts – Board Chair, Young Scientists Kenya