Argus Fertilizer Africa Conference

Vanessa Adams, Vice President Strategic Partnerships at AGRA, and Chief of Party of the Partnership for Inclusive Agricultural Innovation in Africa (PIATA) is a proven leader with strong private sector, investment facilitation and project management experience. PIATA is a 5-year $500M USD strategic partnership to improve the livelihoods of 30 million smallholder African farmers and agricultural actors in 11 priority countries. Vanessa Adams has over 25 years of professional experience, including with Fortune 500 companies in the US. She has 18 years’ experience working in 28 African countries with governments, businesses and farmer cooperatives to increase productivity, meet buyer specifications, access finance, and compete in international markets. At AGRA, she partners with governments, donors and businesses to develop and implement strategies which increase productivity and international trade, expand investments, improve business environments, access financial services as well as reduce constraints to economic growth. Vanessa holds an executive MBA from INSEAD. Read less

Gopal Chandak is Chief Executive of Fertagro Africa DMCC and a visionary professional with more than 15 years of experience in the fertilizer industry. Driving organisational strategies with strong leadership skills Gopal focuses on strategic partnerships, corporate restructuring and the development of people. He contributes to the company’s growth prospects in Africa and has served on the Board of WAFA (West Africa Fertilizer Association Africa). Read less

Tim is Senior Vice President for the fertilizer sector at Argus. Tim worked a process manager at an ammonia/urea plant in South Africa before moving to the UK to join KBR (then M.W. Kellogg) as a process engineer in the ammonia technology team. More recently Tim has covered fertilizer and industrial nitrogen as a market analyst. Read less

Sanjeev, who has a Master’s degree in business management, has put in about 45 years of service to the 62-year-old company operating out of Mumbai, contributing greatly to the respect the company commands all over the world in the field of NPK granulation, especially Urea-based NPK granulation. Fertiplant Engineering Co. has recently commissioned a state-of-the-art NPK granulation facility in Nakuru, Kenya, boosted by the fact that Sanjeev has a feel of the African fertiliser industry. He feels a lot more needs to be done by local governments and world bodies to develop and sustain fertiliser manufacturing industries in Africa. Sanjeev is also an electrical engineer from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology. Read less

Andre oversees OAF’s fertilizer and seed procurement teams. He has worked for nine years in operations and supply chain management in New York City, Burundi and currently in Kenya. He has extensive experience in setting up operations in limited-resource environments and is passionate about working for smallholder farmers. He is looking forward to discussing innovative approaches to fertilizer purchasing and logistics. Andre has a degree in international relations from Boston College. Read less

Douglas joined IFDC in December 2020. He has almost 20 years’ experience in business development and has worked on programme design for clients including USAID, the US Department of State, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the US Department of Agriculture, and other bilateral donors, such as the UK’s Department for International Development (now the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), Global Affairs Canada, Germany’s GIZ and KfW, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the World Bank, African Development Bank and Asian Development Bank. Before joining IFDC, Kerr was Vice-President at US-based environmental consultant Ecodit, and before that he spearheaded business development at the National Cooperative Business Association, Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance, University Research Corporation, Social Impact, Abt Associates, JSI and Constella Futures (now Palladium). Douglas has a bachelor’s degree in politics and economics from Warwick University in the UK, a master’s in political science from Acadia University, Nova Scotia, and a PhD (ABD) from the University of Alberta, Canada. Read less

David handles both Kenya and Uganda markets. He has vast experience in procurement, warehousing, inbound and reverse logistics, and inventory and supplier management. He has an MSc in supply chain management and a bachelor’s degree in business management and CPA-K. David previously worked as logistics manager at Nestle Kenya Ltd. Read less

Oliver Hatfield, is VP Business Development for Argus Media in London. Oliver joined Argus in October 2018 following its acquisition of Integer Research, where he spent 15 years as head of the fertilizer market research team. Oliver has more than 20 years of experience in business analysis and consulting, and he was also one of the founders of Integer. Oliver has worked extensively on multi-client and bespoke fertilizer market analysis studies, covering market forecasts, strategy, due diligence, market entry and project feasibility. He has worked as an analyst on all the key fertilizer and related chemical markets: nitrogen, phosphates, potash, sulphur and sulphuric acid. Oliver is a graduate of economics and development economics from the University of Manchester in the UK. Read less

Kamal is a successful entrepreneur. He holds a master’s degree fromthe London School of Economics. In 2010, he founded IK Group, a company that now has offices in Latvia, Germany, Turkey, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and its headquarters in Dubai, UAE. Kamal is known for his strong leadership skills, strategic thinking and ability to build and manage successful teams. He is also recognised for his ability to expand businesses and enter new markets. Read less

Ashish Lakhotia is a visionary professional with over 14 years of experience in the Fertilizer industry. Lakhotia oversees the company with over 1000 employees, a turnover of $800 million and impacts over 2 million of farmers across 14 African countries. Lakhotia has spent about 8 years in Sub Saharan Africa, given his progressive career over 14 years where he has served under the leadership positions mentioned below: i. CEO- Fertilizer and Agri Inputs, Export Trading Group, Dubai, April 2015-present: Driving organizational strategies with strong leadership skills focused on strategic partnerships, corporate restructuring and the development of people. ii. Group Head- Trader, Export Trading Group, Tanzania, Nov 2006-Mar 2015: Lead the fertilizer business over 10 countries in Africa by implementing branding strategies, corporate policies and guiding the support functions. iii. Country Head- Tanzania, Swiss Singapore, Overseas Enterprises, Tanzania, Oct 2004 – Oct 2006: - Lead the strategic and operations of the country activities in Tanzania. Given his leadership influence in the industry and his hands-on experience in the field, he is determined to transform the industry in the Sub Saharan empowering economy and creating a sustainable future for Africa. Read less

Matt is responsible for bespoke consulting in phosphates, potash and NPKs, and has delivered projects for some of the largest fertilizer companies worldwide. He is also the author of Argus NPK Analytics and has an MSci in geology from Imperial College London. Read less

Luciano is the Europe and Africa commercial leader for Innovar. He has worked for 25 years across 30 countries in project development, business development, sales and team management. He provides technical and commercial support for clients, with knowledge of conventional agricultural inputs, value-added fertilizers, precision agriculture and sales. He has a bachelor’s degree in agronomy, with specialisations in business administration and agribusiness. He is also a certified crop adviser and a 4R NMS (nutrient management specialist under the 4R Stewardship), along with certification as a precision agriculture specialist from the American Society of Agronomy. Read less

Tshepo is a growth-focused leader with extensive experience in identifying and creating sustainable agribusiness solutions/business models to drive sustainability and optimise natural resource management for new ventures and top-tier corporations. This is complemented by an MSc in Agriculture in Agronomy from the University of Pretoria (UP), South Africa, and further business qualifications from Harvard Business School and GIBS (UP). Tshepo has had repeated success driving efficiencies in marketing, business development and brand operations, while effectively managing P&L aspects to transform locations into profitable ventures. He had a track record of building, motivating and leading high-performing teams to attain critical business results with Omnia Fertilizer for 12 years as General Manager of New Business Development. Tshepo has a background in elevating top/bottom-line revenue, capitalising on business expansion opportunities, and maximising market share by interpreting brand vision into innovative selling processes with ABSA Bank, Africa Region Operations, as Vice-president and Head of Agribusiness. He has a proven capability of cultivating lucrative relationships, negotiating commercial contracts, and representing organisations in high-profile networking events. Currently, he heads Saudi Arabian mining company Ma’aden’s Product Development and Agronomy work division. Read less

Lilian is a Soil Scientist who specialises in agricultural management practices that enhance soil fertility, sustainable crop production and environmental quality. She is the Senior Agronomist for Israel Chemical Limited (ICL) in east Africa based in Nairobi, providing technical support for specialty fertilizers as well as training farmers and extension service providers on soil and crop nutrition management. She also acts as the International Potash Institute (IPI) co-ordinator for IPI activities in eastern Africa responsible for promoting potash market development. After many years abroad for her studies, including an MSc in plant pathology and entomology from Hanover University and a PhD in environmental soil science from the University of Tennessee, Lilian returned to Kenya in 2015 with a vision of transforming the agricultural landscape of her country. Read less

Sebastian is a fertilizer market specialist with a special focus on sub-Saharan African fertilizer market systems. He is currently the AfricaFertilizer.org (AFO) programme lead at the IFDC. The AFO initiative collects, processes and publishes fertilizer-sector statistics for key fertilizer markets in sub-Saharan Africa. Read less

A Passionate Leader with Global outlook and outreach in Agri Input Industry who is firm believer of enhancing Farm Productivity and transforming livelihood through responsible Agri Input and Service management and technology interface for the marginal farmers in emerging markets. Well known in Global Fertilizer and input industry for deep domain knowledge of fertilizer and Agri value chain, passion for advocacy for Africa and emerging markets with strong insight and global network among various stakeholders. In last 25 years, Murari has worked with some of the big names in Global Agri Input and Agri business industry and in last position he has managed Global Fertilizer Business for Olam International Ltd, Singapore. He currently is serving as IFA Ambassador for Republic of Singapore, SAT member in IFA Communication & PA Committee and Steering Committee Member for Precision crop Nutrition. Read less

Jason Scarpone is a leading International Development Specialist with 25 years’ experience in designing, implementing and managing economic recovery and development programs for Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Caucasus and the United States. He has specialized in public-private partnerships that link production, policy, and marketing, with special attention to post-conflict, post-crisis environments. He has successfully implemented large-scale agricultural and rural development programs with long-lasting positive effects. Scarpone holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and urban studies from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in labor relations from New York University. Read less

A US commercial attorney by training, Michael has lived, travelled and worked in 50 countries. He wrote several publications, including The African Union Commission’s Africa Business Directory: Toward the Facilitation of Growth, Partnership and Global Inclusion, A Field Guide to Inclusive Business Finance and Investing in Africa: An Insider’s Guide to the Ultimate Emerging Market. Michael serves as the chair of Impact@Africa, a continentally focused impact investment ecosystem development platform, sits on the global board of the UNDRR’s Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies (ARISE), is a member of the University of Michigan Provost’s Advisory Committee, sits on the advisory board of the African Center for the Study of the United States of the University of Witwatersrand, and chairs the advisory board of the African Studies Center of the University of Michigan. He has a BA degree from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and a JD degree from Harvard Law School. Read less

Ashraf joined Evergrow in 2021 as Group Chief Commercial Officer and member of the executive committee. In this role, Ashraf has executive leadership of Evergrow’s stakeholder relations, corporate development strategy, mergers and acquisitions, business model design, management consulting and economic functions. Before this, Ashraf led the evaluation and execution of strategic initiatives, partnerships, acquisitions and investments for various hotels, real estate ventures, truck companies and cement firms. Since joining Evergrow, Ashraf has played a leading role in developing and stewarding the company’s global sustainability and strategies. In addition, he is an instructor and corporate trainer for American University and ESLSCA Business School. Ashraf has a doctorate in business administration from ESLSCA Business School. Read less

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Valentine Miheso is an accomplished business executive, partnerships expert, and market systems development (Making Markets Work for the Poor- M4P) expert with wide-ranging experience in Private & not for profit (NGO) sectors and a proven track record in business growth and project management. He has over twenty years’ experience in various agriculture value chains (Dairy, Cereals, Horticulture, and Cashews), Seed Sector, ICT, and Agro-Chemical sector in East and Southern Africa. Valentine is a leader with experience in Partnerships, agribusiness management, strategy development and implementation, sales & marketing, change management, operations, financial analysis, performance management, business start-ups, fundraising, budget management, policy analysis, community development, bottom of the pyramid (BOP) business strategy and building influential relations with government and other stakeholders. He has been involved in feasibility studies, developing business and strategic plans, business start-ups, fundraising for investment and development programmes, change management, recruiting staff and establishing business systems across different specialties. Read less

Matchmaking potential port and transport corridor infrastructure projects for capital investment became part of Mari´s portfolio, when she joined couple of years ago APCH. The aim is to connect hinterland demand centres to major ports with world-class multi-modal logistics service providers, promoting sustainability and common user access. However, managing risks on investments are real challenges. Nevertheless, challenges in port and hinterland logistics have been Mari’s interest for two decades, so she is set for upcoming tasks as they come. Previously Mari worked more than 20 years in Tanzania, being part of the team, who built the first purpose build bulk fertilizer terminal in Sub Saharan Africa and set end-to-end terminal service from Dar es Salaam to Zambia using rail. Mari has MSc from University of Helsinki, Finland and several post-graduate studies in different European universities. She recently graduated from highly appreciated Leadership diploma programme with Aalto University at Uongozi institute. Read less

A Senior Specialist in the Trade and Corporate Finance Unit of Afreximbank's Intra-African Trade Bank (IATB) responsible for promoting, facilitating and financing Intra-African trade and investments. He specifically handles IATB’s investment and specialized finance programmes in the transport sector (automotive, railway and maritime), continental transit guarantees, creative financing, Africa Trade Exchange which hubs the Bank’s fertilizer financing for Africa programme. A certified trade finance professional and bank executive with 17 years financial services experience in Africa managing commodity finance, trade product development, client relationships, credit analysis, business planning, strategy development and execution Read less

Ms Ketiwe Banda Lwando is a financial services leader with 13+ years of experience spanning development finance, structured trade and commodity finance, financial analysis, relationship management and credit risk. Throughout the course of her career, she has overseen over $1.8 Billion in major transactions across 8 countries. She is currently a Structured Trade and Commodity Finance Manager at the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), based in Cairo, Egypt. Prior to Afreximbank, Mrs Lwando held senior relationship management and banking roles at United Bank of Africa and Stanbic Bank. She began her career at Bank of Zambia. Mrs Lwando holds an MBA from Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University, a Bachelor’s Degree from University of Zambia as well as a Certificate in International Trade Finance from the University of Malta. Read less

Patrice Annequin is a fertilizer market information specialist and agro-economist with over 30 years of experience in private sector and agricultural input market development in sub-Saharan Africa. He has expertise in agricultural input marketing, regulations and policies, institutional development and organizational strengthening, market studies and assessments, and capacity building of producer and trader organizations. Annequin joined IFDC in 2001, led the information unit of the USAID-funded MISTOWA project unit from 2004 to 2008, before initiating in 2009 and piloting AfricaFertilizer.org, a global portal on fertilizer production, trade, consumption, and price statistics in Africa, in partnership with IFA, FAO, the African Union, among others. After joining the Feed the Future EnGRAIS project in 2018, he took over as its director in 2022, with the main mission of building a more competitive, inclusive and private sector-led West African fertilizer market. Annequin holds a master's degree in economics and sociology of sustainable development from AgroParisTech (France). Read less

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As senior vice-president at FBNQuest, Uwadiae (Uwa) supervises analyst equities coverage of public and private markets. Uwa transitioned to this role from FBN Capital (the investment subsidiary of FBN Holdings Group) in 2015. Before this, he was a sell-side analyst at BGL Group and ChapelHill Denham Securities with expertise in financials and the fast-moving consumer goods sectors. His expertise spans oil and gas, agro-allied and industrials such as fertilizers and cement. Uwa holds a BSc in chemical engineering from the University of Lagos. Read less

Hedwig is responsible for designing and implementing AGRA’s Inclusive Finance strategy. Hedwig was previously CEO of DOB equity, which invests in SMEs in east Africa, and before that was Deputy Director and Senior Consultant at Triodos Facet (now Palladium), specialising in entrepreneurship development and financial services delivery to MSMEs in emerging markets. Hedwig started her career as an Associate Expert for the UN in Madagascar and Tanzania. She has a BSc in Tropical Agriculture and a Master’s degree in Econometrics. Read less

John is Deputy Director for Field Research for the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) in Nairobi. He has 26 years’ experience in agricultural research and development in various African environments and crop types. His current area of focus is balanced crop nutrition — addressing crop nutrient deficiencies and soil acidity constraints with balanced fertilizers and lime. John also has expertise in soil and plant analysis, conservation practices and integrated soil fertility. He has a doctorate in agronomy from Purdue University, Indiana, and a master’s degree in agronomy and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering from Texas A&M University. Read less

Education and Experience: Boniface holds a Ph.D. in Information Systems, MSc in Computer Science, and a BSc in Information Technology. He is a scholar and practitioner with an extensive experience in the international, public, and private sectors. Boniface is a Certified Systems Engineer and Data Science expert. He is the Director of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). Boniface has conceptualized and implemented several projects in the Agriculture Sector. He has brought transformative changes in the Agriculture sector, and millions of farmers are benefiting from the digital solutions with intelligence and automation capabilities. He has contributed to the growth of organizations by leading technological innovation, raising funds, and citizen service delivery. He has identified innovative digital ways to address needs and challenges in the agricultural sector. He has published peer-reviewed articles in Journal outlets. International Position: He is the Chair of the Committee on Data of the International Council for Science (CODATA) Agricultural Data Task Group in France. A member of the Technical Advisory Committee on Data Science for Social Determinants, New York University (NYU). Previously he worked as the Chief of Information Technology at United States Army Medical Research, Management Information Specialist at Care International, and Coca-Cola. He is an experienced consultant, researcher, and implementer of projects. International Awards: In 2016, he received the Climate Information Prize Award from UKAID for developing a platform that tackles the impacts of climate change, and in 2019 he received the Africa CIO Excellence Award in Cape Town, South Africa, for developing ICT innovation to transform agriculture. In 2020, the Public Service Award recognized his work. International Membership: He is a fellow of the Computer Society of Kenya. A member of the Africa Knowledge Management for Agricultural Development that is accelerating the achievement of the Malabo goals by 2025 and the SDGs by 2030, African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS), and the African Academy of Science of South Africa, South Africa. Read less