London, United Kingdom, 5 February 2025
The Honourable Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation of Somalia, H.E. Fardowsa Osman Egal, will join an esteemed lineup of African leaders and policymakers as a keynote speaker at the Africa Ministerial Roundtable on Regional Integration and Development Cooperation. This high-level dialogue is a special component of the African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Ceremony, set to take place on 21–22 February 2025, at the Casablanca Marriott Hotel, Morocco.
As a transformative leader in Somalia’s transport sector, the Honourable Minister has been instrumental in advancing the country’s connectivity, economic revitalization, and regional integration. Under her leadership, Somalia’s transport infrastructure has seen significant improvements, fostering international partnerships and strategic collaborations. Her efforts have strengthened Somalia’s engagement in regional and global transport networks, as well as facilitated greater cooperation in regional transport policies and sustainable infrastructure development.
The Africa Ministerial Roundtable is a high-level platform bringing together top policymakers, thought leaders, and experts to drive regional integration and sustainable development by tackling trade barriers, accelerating AfCFTA implementation, and showcasing transformative leadership. With a focus on closing Africa’s $68–$108 billion infrastructure financing gap, strengthening energy grids, transport corridors, and health systems, and positioning nations as prime investment destinations, the roundtable will shape a collective vision for seamless policy alignment, boosting intra-African trade by 52% by 2030, and unlocking Africa’s full economic potential.
Minister Egal will join other distinguished speakers, including H.E. Mrs. Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, Secretary General of COMESA; Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, Minister of Health, Uganda; Hon. Nani Juwara, Minister of Petroleum, Energy, and Mines, The Gambia; Hon. Augustine K. Ngafuan, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Liberia; and H.E. Ibrahim Mohamed Abdourazak, Minister of Finance, Budget, and Banking Sector, Comoros. The session will be moderated by H.E. Mrs. Rindra Rabarinirinarison, Minister for Economy and Finance of Madagascar.
Now in its 14th year, the African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Ceremony continues to be the premier annual event for honouring and celebrating people-centred leadership and Africans who are pursuing a pan-African agenda in their chosen fields of endeavour, bringing together policymakers, private sector leaders, thought leaders, and stakeholders from across Africa and the globe. The 2025 edition is expected to attract over 400 in-person delegates, with online streaming reaching thousands of followers across the magazine’s social media platforms. The event serves as a unique platform for networking, collaboration, and dialogue, fostering innovative solutions to Africa’s most pressing challenges, all aimed at advancing a prosperous and sustainable future for the continent.
Among the distinguished special guests of honour and speakers at the two-day event in Morocco are H.E. Andry Rajoelina, President of the Republic of Madagascar; Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of Uganda; and H.E. Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, Nigeria, alongside top policymakers, business leaders, and industry titans from Ethiopia, Nigeria, Madagascar, Angola, Uganda, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Congo, Cape Verde, Botswana, South Africa, and Kenya.
About African Leadership Magazine
The African Leadership Magazine, published by the African Leadership Organization (UK), is dedicated to showcasing Africa’s best to a global audience—highlighting the continent’s success stories, fostering positive narratives, and driving solutions to its unique challenges. For 16 years, we have been at the forefront of promoting impactful leadership, facilitating African opportunities on the global stage through a strong ecosystem that includes high-quality Afro-positive content, trade facilitation, market entry solutions, networking platforms, and public sector training and consulting.
For media enquiries and event participation, please contact:
Ehis Ayere
Group General Manager
African Leadership Organization
Email: info@africanleadership.co.uk
