Global Council for Investment & Business for Africa
GCIB Board
Dr. Er. Idrissa Doucouré
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Dr. Er. Idrissa a distinguished Senegalese leader, serves as the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors at GCIB Africa. With a history as a diplomat and former Executive Secretary for the Pan-African Intergovernmental Agency - Water and Sanitation for Africa (WSA), Dr. Er. Doucouré has established a robust international presence as an influential and enterprising reformer. His background in government has significantly shaped his life, earning him the moniker "Africa's Optimist in Chief."
Over the course of 12 years at WaterAid Headquarters in London, he has held positions such as Regional Director for West Africa, International Director for Innovations, Regional Programme Director at Japan International Cooperation Agency, and spent an additional eight years with UNICEF. Dr. Er. Doucouré has previously chaired the Board of Directors for Wetland International Africa and has served on numerous boards for global organizations like People In Aid (London), WAWI (New York), and IRC/CREPA Wash (The Hague).
As an accomplished entrepreneur, Dr. Er. Doucouré founded and leads various companies including ID Bio Plc, ID Finances Ltd, and Bio Energy Green PVT Ltd., bringing over 30 years of expertise in project finance, strategic planning, entrepreneurship development, and large organization management to the table. He holds an engineering degree in water infrastructure, an MBA in business management, a PhD in climate vulnerability, and is a certified professional under IP3 Virginia (USA) and Royal Holloway University (London) with PPP credentials
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Dr Idrissa also serves as Hon Ambassador National Affairs Senegal for UNASDG IGO
Sachin Pant
Chair of the Advisory Board
Sachin Pant boasts an extensive 27-year career encompassing Consultancy, EPC, and the Developer sphere within the Infrastructure and Real Estate domain, collaborating intimately with both governmental and private entities. He has played a pivotal role in novel business ventures, territorial expansions, marketing, and fostering investor relationships across Africa, South-East Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. As an accomplished Engineering Graduate possessing a Master's in Environmental Planning and an MBA, Sachin has actively participated as a speaker in numerous national and international forums, exhibiting academic and training expertise in areas such as Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), Project Finance, and Investment promotion. Currently functioning as the MD & CEO of IQT, an esteemed Italian Infrastructure conglomerate, Sachin has previously held distinguished positions within SREI Infrastructure Finance Ltd, Ramky Group, Feedback Infra, Mott MacDonald, and various entrepreneurial establishments
Sunil Ramakrishnan
Vice-Chair of the Advisory Board
Sunil Ramakrishnan, an international entrepreneur, specializes in smart sustainable infrastructure projects aimed at improving the lives of those in developing countries. Holding two distinguished master’s degrees in business administration and international Business from the University of Wollongong, Sunil possesses extensive training in green buildings, renewable energy, and sustainable development. With a dual base in Georgia and Germany, he heads JGC, a global projects consultancy firm. In addition to this role, Sunil serves on the senior management of German investment company Stratema and holds board positions for Swiss technology businesses and his Indian family-owned enterprises. Sunil also serves as Hon Ambassador at large for Sub-Saharan Africa at UNASDG IGO. His vast experience lends itself to providing expertise in expediting project development from inception to financing and execution. Sunil has played an instrumental role in attracting significant international investments in North West Africa and the S.A.D.C Region for sustainable development projects
Wendy Frempong
Company Secretary
Wendy Frempong is a distinguished and experienced attorney, specializing in general civil litigation and commercial law. A proud graduate of the University of London, she is dual-qualified in both the United Kingdom and Ghana, having been called to the Bar in England in 2001. As a seasoned barrister, Wendy has successfully represented clients throughout Europe and Africa in various civil and commercial law cases. Her expertise spans litigation for high net-worth individuals and corporations, while also earning considerable acclaim for her work with both private and public sector organizations.
Among her notable positions, Wendy has served as Senior Legal Consultant for Energy Resources Consulting and as Legal Director for Global Secure Solutions. With numerous years of experience in family law under her belt, she has adeptly handled cases involving child adoption and abduction, international law, and immigration. Her impressive educational credentials include completing the Post Call Law Course at the Ghana School of Law (2017-2018), undertaking the Bar Vocational Course in Company Law and European Competition Law at Inns of Court School of Law 2000, obtaining a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Studies from City University 2000, and earning an LLB with Honours in Company Law and Banking & Finance Law from the University of London.
Emre TokluoÄŸlu
Member of the Board of Directors
Emre TokluoÄŸlu is a Turkish professional with a background in geological and industrial engineering. He holds a PhD in Geological Engineering, currently pursuing it at Turkey. With a MSc in Industrial Engineering from Middle East Technical University and a Bachelor's Degree in Hydrogeological Engineering from Hacettepe University, he possesses a strong educational foundation. Emre has diverse experience, including roles as General Coordinator and Managing Partner at his own company on Technology Management. He also gives consultancy services to construction, energy and mining industries as a business development expert. Emre has been held roles at Nurol Construction and Trading Co. Inc., overseeing business development, tendering, and international relations. Emre is fluent in English, possesses advanced computer skills, and holds leadership positions in various associations
Christiane Kragh
Member of the Board of Directors
Christiane Kragh, CEO and founder of Off-Grid Europe GmbH (OGE), has a background in design and international marketing. With her husband Mark Kragh, CTO of OGE, she established the company to focus on renewable energy systems and storage technologies. Under Christiane's leadership, OGE has become a provider of comprehensive technical energy solutions. Committed to fighting energy poverty and promoting the green transition, OGE utilizes its proprietary Off-Grid Controller software. Besides her role at OGE, Christiane serves as Chairman of Off-Grid Africa SUARL, an OGE subsidiary based in Senegal, with additional subsidiaries in development.
Byron Stigge
Member of the Board of Directors
Byron, the Founder of Level Agency for Infrastructure in NYC, is passionate about designing and implementing infrastructure development in Africa, South Asia, and Latin America. With a focus on climate change, renewable energy, and waste management, he aims to improve the well-being of those in need of basic services. Holding degrees from prestigious universities like Harvard and MIT, Byron co-authored "Infrastructural Ecologies" (2016) and serves on the Board of Directors for the Urban Design Forum.
Michael Kutchukhidze
Member of the Board of Directors
Michael Kutchukhidze is a seasoned Georgian Senior economist and finance professonal with expertise in both government administration and the private sector. With experience in foreign investment, banking, strategic planning, and corporate finance, he supports small and medium-sized enterprises. Michael holds an MBA, specializing in Accounting and Finance, from a German university.
In addition to his role at BMG Consulting, Michael served as the Senior Advisor to the Office of the Prime Minister of Georgia. Previously, he held positions at the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Domson's Engineering Group, OXTON Trading Group, PwC Georgia, UBC International, BDO BONN, and Bank of Georgia and has held CFO positions in the organisations. He is proficient in English, Russian, and German
Eric Cheng Pu Fan
Member of the Board of Directors
Eric Cheug Pu Fan, born in 1966, is a renowned Chinese senior manager boasting over 30 years of experience in Asia. With an extensive global business network, Mr. Fan excels in the Greater China Region for Multinational Companies. His strong academic background includes a Bachelor of Social Science from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and a Master of Business Administration from London Business School.
Professionally, Mr. Fan is the founder and chairman of Aranti Capital Limited (since 2015) and has also served as a recruiting partner for Harvard Business School's SELP China Program (since 2018). His previous roles include positions at Linksus Communication Group, Novartis China, Netease, Carsberg Hong Kong Brewery, General Electric Inc, and Philips Hong Kong, providing him with expansive industry knowledge
Enrique Urrutia
Member of the Board of Directors
Enrique Urrutia is a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience in international business, spanning across various sectors in Europe and the Middle East, with a notable 15-year focus on the GCC region. His primary goal is to contribute to large-scale development by leveraging his expertise to foster international collaboration and promote the participation of countries and their companies in achieving economic growth on a global scale. Through collaboration, Enrique seeks to facilitate wealth creation and overall wellbeing.
His proven skills include conducting market research, leading commercial missions, providing training, and devising effective strategies for businesses in diverse markets. Enrique's key competencies lie in managing international business delegations at trade exhibitions and working adeptly within multicultural business environments.
Marthinus J De Waal
Member of the Advisory Board
Marthinus J De Waal is a seasoned entrepreneur and a qualified chartered accountant with a diverse portfolio of business ventures. His leadership experience spans across the commercial fishing industry in the Atlantic Ocean, large-scale logistics and freight transportation by road, and retail enterprises. Not only does he manage sustainable farming operations, but also held the prestigious position of the president of the Namibian horse racing association. Marthinus runs a prominent accounting practice across multiple cities, catering to successful businessmen and officials. He is a partner at a company specializing in sustainable infrastructure projects and serves as a director at JGC Global for the African continent
