Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President, African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, Abidjan. Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina is a prominent figure in the realm of international development, currently serving as the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group in Abidjan. With a distinguished background in agriculture, economics, and policymaking, Dr. Adesina has garnered global recognition for his exceptional leadership and transformative initiatives aimed at driving sustainable development across the African continent.

As the keynote speaker for the international conference on Biotechnology, Dr. Adesina brings unparalleled expertise and insight into the intersection of biotechnology and economic growth in Africa. His visionary approach emphasizes the importance of leveraging technological innovation to address pressing challenges and unlock the continent's vast potential in agriculture, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. Dr. Adesina's tenure at the helm of AfDB has been characterized by a steadfast commitment to empowering African nations through strategic investments, capacity-building, and inclusive development strategies. His visionary leadership has propelled the AfDB to new heights, fostering partnerships, and mobilizing resources to catalyze positive change and improve the livelihoods of millions across the continent. With his unwavering dedication to advancing Africa's development agenda and harnessing the power of biotechnology for inclusive growth, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina epitomizes the spirit of innovation and progress that defines the future of the continent on to advancing Africa's development agenda

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, esteemed as a global leader in economics and development, currently serves as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). With a distinguished career spanning academia, international finance, and public service, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has earned widespread acclaim for her remarkable contributions to shaping global economic policy and fostering inclusive growth.

As the Keynote Speaker For the International Conference on Biotechnology, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala brings unparalleled expertise and insight into the nexus of biotechnology and trade. Her visionary approach emphasizes the importance of harnessing innovation to drive sustainable development, enhance food security, and promote economic empowerment across nations.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala's tenure at the helm of the WTO is marked by a commitment to revitalizing multilateralism, advancing trade liberalization, and ensuring that trade policies contribute to equitable outcomes for all. Her leadership is guided by a deep understanding of the complex challenges facing the global economy and a steadfast dedication to finding collaborative solutions that benefit both developed and developing nations alike. With her exemplary track record of leadership and advocacy for inclusive economic growth, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala embodies the spirit of innovation and cooperation essential for navigating the opportunities and challenges presented by biotechnology on the world stage.

Dr. Kanangire is the Executive Director of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF).  An astute administrator, academician, and internationally recognised professional, Dr. Kanangire is an experienced technocrat with a wealth of knowledge in leadership and management of international institutions, including developing strategic partnerships and networks at regional, continental and global levels with great ability for resource mobilization.

Just before joining AATF, he served as the Executive Secretary at the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), a pan-African inter-governmental institution and a delivery mechanism on water and sanitation for the African Union between September 2016 and May 2021. Dr Kanangire’s career path has also seen him serve at the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) as the Executive Secretary between 2011 and 2016, and the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) as Head of Strategic Planning and Management between 2009 and 2011 and as Regional Manager of its Capacity Building program between 2004 and 2009.

Dr. Aggrey Agumya is a distinguished leader and advocate for agricultural research and development in Africa, currently serving as the Executive Director of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa  (FARA). With a background in agricultural science and extensive experience in research, policy formulation, and partnership building, Dr. Agumya is renowned for his commitment to advancing agricultural innovation and strengthening research systems across the continent.

As a plenary speaker at the International Conference on Biotechnology, Dr. Agumya brings invaluable expertise and insights into the role of biotechnology in enhancing agricultural productivity, sustainability, and resilience in Africa. His strategic leadership at FARA has been instrumental in fostering collaboration among research institutions, policymakers, and development partners to promote the adoption of biotechnological innovations for the benefit of smallholder farmers and rural communities.

Dr. Agumya's visionary approach emphasizes the importance of evidence-based decision-making, capacity-building, and technology transfer to maximize the impact of biotechnology on agricultural development in Africa. Under his guidance, FARA has spearheaded initiatives to strengthen agricultural research networks, facilitate knowledge exchange, and promote the uptake of innovative biotechnologies to address pressing challenges such as climate change, pests, and diseases.

With his unwavering commitment to promoting agricultural research and innovation as key drivers of Africa's development agenda, Dr. Aggrey Agumya exemplifies the spirit of leadership and collaboration needed to harness the potential of biotechnology for sustainable agricultural transformation across the continent.

His Excellency, Chief Clement David Ebri, CON Clement Ebri, born on December 11, 1952, in Mkpani, Yakurr Local Government Area, has led a distinguished life in public service and leadership. His early years were marked by academic excellence, earning his First School Leaving Certificate with distinction and later obtaining his West African School Certificate with Division One.

Ebri's professional journey began as a clerical officer at St. Margaret's Hospital, Calabar, in 1973, followed by studying economics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he graduated with a Second Class upper division Degree in 1977. He served as a classroom teacher during his National Youth Service Corps and later became Economics Editor and Acting Editor at the Cross River State Newspaper Corporation.

Throughout his career, Ebri has held various leadership positions, including Chairman of the Presidential Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution, National Chairman of the Progressive Peoples Alliance, and Chief Executive Officer of Dimaron (Nig.) Limited. He also was an elected member of the Constituent Assembly (1988/89) and also served on the Boards of 2 Banks, Mercantile Bank and Savannah Bank, between 1989 and 1991and laterbecame elected Civilian Governor of Cross River State from 1991 to 1993, then recently served as the Chairman, Governing Board of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA).

Ebri's achievements have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 2011 and an honorary doctorate degree in Political Science from the University of Calabar in 2019. He is a devoted family man, married to Mrs. Veronica Ebri, and blessed with four children and a granddaughter.