Speakers
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The programme at a glance
5–8
high-level keynote addresses
3
ministerial dialogues
3–4
fireside chats
5
multi-stakeholder panels
2
executive roundtables
50+
regional & international speakers
Tentative line-up. Speakers are drawn from the tentative programme and are confirmed progressively; roles and sessions may change. Last updated 21 September 2026.
Guest of Honor
H.E. Dr Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
President of the Federal Republic of Somalia
Presidential remarks and official opening · Day 1
Ministers and government
H.E. Abdisalam Abdi Ali (Dhaay)
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Official opening · Day 1
H.E. Amb. Gamal Mohamed Hassan
Minister of Commerce and Industry
Ministerial remarks · Day 1
H.E. Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir
Minister of Education, Culture and Higher Education
Ministerial remarks · Day 1
H.E. Bihi Ige
Minister of Finance
Ministerial remarks · Day 1
H.E. Amb. Ali Mohamed Omar (Ali Balcad)
State Minister for Foreign Affairs and EAC
Ministerial Dialogue · Day 1
Mr Ibrahim Ahmed Osman
Director General, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Panel 1 · Day 1
Ahmed Warsame
DG Economic Integration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Panel 3 moderator · Day 2
Mr Abdi Dirshe
Director General, Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy
Panel 3 · Day 2
Abdullahi Hassan Adan
Director General, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
Panel 4 · Day 2
Ismail Abdalla Ali
Acting Director, SOMINVEST
Panel 2 · Day 2
Amb. Mohamed Ali Nur “Americo”
Director General, Mogadishu Port Authority
Panel 3 · Day 2
IO
Dr Ibrahim Osman
Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education
Panel 4 moderator · Day 2
Keynote and executive addresses
Amb. Stephen Patrick Mbundi
Secretary General, East African Community
Keynote I · Day 1
H.E. Wamkele Mene
Secretary-General, AfCFTA Secretariat
Keynote II · Day 1
Claver Gatete
Executive Secretary, UN Economic Commission for Africa
Keynote III · Day 1
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Director-General, World Trade Organization
Virtual address · Day 1
Pamela Coke-Hamilton
Executive Director, International Trade Centre
Virtual address · Day 1
Dr George Elombi
President and Chairman, Afreximbank
Keynote · Day 2
H.E. Mohamoud Abdirahman Sheikh Farah
Minister of Planning, Investment and Economic Development
Keynote · Day 2
Dr Hodan Isse
Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank
Keynote · Day 2
René Brosius
PhD Researcher, University of Bayreuth
Keynote · Day 2
Awel Uweighanye
Makerere University
Keynote presentation · Day 2
Amb. Dr Abdisalan Hadliye
Executive Fireside Chat
Fireside Chat · Day 1
DG Mohamed Isak Fatiir
Director General, EAC Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Presentation and plenary synthesis
Panellists
Hon. Annette Ssemuwemba
Deputy Secretary General, EAC Secretariat
Panel 1 · Day 1
Mr Ahmed Farah
CEO, East African Business Council
Panel 1 · Day 1
Amina Hersi Moghe
Businessperson
Panel 1 · Day 1
Yasin Ibar
Chamber of Commerce, Somalia
Panel 1 · Day 1
Lucy Mbabazi
Managing Director, Better Than Cash Alliance
Panel 1 · Day 1
AG
Ahmed Gurguurte
Customs, Tanzania
Panel 1 · Day 1
Dr Alex Mubiru
Director General, East Africa, African Development Bank
Panel 2 · Day 2
Ms Hodan Osman
President and Board Chair, SDRB
Panel 2 · Day 2
AA
Abdallah Ali
CFO, Hormuud Telecom
Panel 2 · Day 2
Jon Bellish
Executive Director and COO, Shuraako Capital
Panel 2 · Day 2
Mr Zafer Sazgin
Ziraat Katilim Bank
Panel 2 · Day 2
Björn Richter
GIZ–EAC Cluster Coordinator
Panel 3 · Day 2
Jean Baptiste Havugimana
EAC Representative
Panel 3 · Day 2
Prof. Idris A. Rai
Acting Executive Secretary, IUCEA
Panel 4 · Day 2
MH
Mahamud Hamid Mohamed
Rector, PSU
Panel 4 · Day 2
Prof. Mahmoud Ahmed Jimcaale
Chairperson, Higher Education Commission of Somalia
Panel 4 · Day 2
Prof. Mwenda Ntarangwi
Vice Chancellor, USIU-Africa
Panel 4 · Day 2
GP
Giuseppe Palma
Panellist
Panel 4 · Day 2
Moderators and hosts
Dr Amina Omar Mohamud
Chairperson, EACON 2026
Welcome remarks · Day 1
Dr Mohamed Mohamud Mohamed
Rector, Somali National University
Opening remarks · Day 1
Dr Abdikarim Mohaidin Ahmed
Rector, SIMAD University
Opening remarks · Day 1
Prof. Cabdi Axmed Maxamed (Baafo)
Director, Dhaxalreeb Centre
Fireside Chat moderator · Day 1
AK
Dr Ahmed Khadar Abdi Jama
CEO, Somali Bankers Association
Panel 1 moderator · Day 1
Prof. Philippe Tunamsifu Shirambere
Inter-University Council for East Africa
Panel 2 moderator · Day 2
Mr Said Osman Bashir
EAC Studies initiative
Launch · Day 1
