CHOUCHOU NAMEGABE

Chouchou Namegabe is a Congolese activist, radio journalist, and social change innovator. She trained rural and urban Congolese female journalists to report about sexual violence and human rights abuses.

Ms. Namegabe has testified at the Hague to urge the International Court of Justice to classify rape as a political weapon in the DRC, and in Washington, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on violence against women.

Chouchou holds a Master’s degree in Media management from university of Lille, France.

JUDICAELLE BABIKA

Judicaelle Babika is a non-profit practitioner from Burundi and a former staff of United Nations Peace Operations.

Her drive is to create successful actions by and for the African women, where they are empowered, become peace actors and drivers towards a sustainable development path.

 Judicaelle holds a master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership from Fordham University in New York.

Gilles de Vignemont

Legal adviser

Gilles is an International Tax Advisor focusing on investments in Africa. He spent 25 years with PwC tax, including 3 years in Cameroon, 3 years in Gabon, and 15 years leading PwC’s Africa practice in the US. Gilles is passionate about Africa, the African culture, people, and the business environment

Less than 3 years ago, Gilles created Vignemont Africa & Partners, an advisory Firm providing a comprehensive understanding of the tax laws and regulations in Africa. The Firm advises companies on the tax implications of investing in Africa, and assists with tax planning, tax audits, due diligence, and holding company analysis.

Outside of work, Gilles serves as VP of the Entraide Française, a US non-profit helping French citizens with emotional and financial challenges, and is also an Advisor to the African Business Portal.

Gilles also advises – pro bono – a few NGOs/charities/start-ups operating in Africa with a Purpose.

Werner Couttenier

Tropical agriculture professor

Born in DRC in a family of farmers and entrepreneurs, Werner is an engineer in agriculture for tropical climates, specialized in seed production, and a certified veterinary technician. He is also a certified professor of tropical agronomy, and, through his network of international organizations and companies, helps students integrating innovative and sustainable agricultural projects around the world.