Author: CIO Business Leaders

AI is transforming industries and economies across the world, and Africa does not want to be left behind. Although the continent is still lagging in AI adoption, strong momentum is building. This is driven by a surge in AI startups, rising investment, and empowering, visionary leaders. Grant McDonogh, Vice President of Artificial Intelligence at i60 Global, is a leading light in Africa’s AI space. Living by the mantra “The future is bright — run towards the light,” Grant’s vision and leadership are helping position Africa as an emerging force in the global AI landscape. Over the years, Grant has learned…

As federal challenges mount and public expectations for government services rise, few have succeeded in integrating innovation and service as effectively as John Binks. As Senior Director of Business Development at Titan Technologies LLC, John has become a respected figure in federal civilian contracting, recognized for his insightful foresight, talent for forging strategic partnerships, and relentless dedication to enhancing the public sector. He serves as an essential interpreter, aligning government requirements with the best available technology. Drawing on more than twenty years of federal experience, including critical roles at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) where he directed significant IT…

At the helm of the Institute of Risk Management South Africa (IRMSA), Yvonne Mothibi is more than a CEO; she’s a trailblazer redefining what it means to lead with integrity in a world of uncertainty. Fueled by a passion for empowering risk professionals and driving innovation, Yvonne sees risk not as a challenge but as an opportunity to build a more resilient and informed society. Her journey into the dynamic world of risk management was sparked by a deep appreciation for complexity, and today, she considers leading IRMSA not just a role but a true calling. A Career Built on…

ndondo , a technology partner of choice for many organizations in Africa, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026. When David Nkwanyana founded it in 2006, he had no business experience and no funding. Despite these handicaps, David built ndondo into Africa’s leading provider of Data solutions and services, known for its excellence and innovation. Today, as the CEO, he is steering it toward greater accomplishments and a listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Guided by the principle in Colossians 3:23, 24: “Work so hard as if you are doing it for God himself,” David believes that just as God would never…

Change rarely makes noise at first. Sometimes, it looks like a platform quietly reconciling cash flow. Or a founder sketching product flows at midnight while his team coordinates across multiple time zones. That’s the kind of change Anas Qudah is building. With over 20 years of experience in finance and executive roles, he has lived through bottlenecks, seen missed opportunities, and decided to build something better. That “something” is UPFRONT, a fintech company purpose-built to unburden SMBs in a high-pressure region by simplifying the messy, manual world of financial operations. And in doing so, he’s not just serving clients. He’s…

Andrew Nickoletos’s key strengths are his ability to listen, simplify complex financial concepts, and look beyond the numbers. This is why, as a Financial Advisor at Precision Wealth Solutions, he is able to empower clients to clearly define their financial goals, make informed decisions, and feel confident about their financial future. His guidance and clear communication help clients gain peace of mind. Andrew considers his greatest reward to be that every day, he gets to help people sleep better at night. “Knowing that every client who walks through our doors is being taken care of with intention and integrity is…

Leslie Garth, Senior Director of Solution Success at Teleperformance, is an accomplished industrial engineer who has held leadership positions at several Fortune 500 firms across a variety of industries. She has 30 years of experience, with her most recent work being in the automotive sector, helping customers and clients. She has Credentials of Readiness (CORe) and Business Analytics certifications from Harvard Business School, as well as Six Sigma Black Belt certifications from Integral Concepts. Leslie has extensive expertise leading change in the manufacturing, technology, quality, cost-cutting, automation of inspections, and process improvement fields both locally and globally with team members…

Many people claim they wish to launch a business. They claim to have lofty aspirations. They claim to want it above all else. However, they won’t commit to their company or their ideas when it’s time to put some money on the line. Simply put, they won’t make a commitment to achieving their goals. As a result, people become frustrated and hurt when they find they aren’t progressing. Five years later, they find themselves in the same position, whining about the same issues and wishing they had started sooner. What distinguishes those whose dreams come true from those whose do…

John Martin, CEO and Co-founder of Young Black Leadership Alliance (YBLA), has one vision – to develop young Black men and women into positive leaders in their community now and in the future. This “Blessed” leader, as he describes himself, is on a mission to create young Black leaders who will be a force of change in the world. The Visionary John has an interesting story to describe his inspiration to start YBLA. While watching his favorite team play football, his wife Tammy asked him, “What are you passionate about?” The obvious answer at that moment was, “this game.” But…

Bernie Lawrence is a seasoned transactional attorney and the principal of B. Lawrence Watkins & Associates, PC, a legal practice specializing in entertainment, copyrights and trademarks, new media, and corporate law. Throughout her career, she has been able to carve out a niche for herself by representing multi-platinum selling music producers who have composed hits for notable hip-hop artists such as Lil’ Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Ludacris, 50 Cent, and P. Diddy, as well as R&B and pop artists such as Usher, Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Beyoncé, and Rihanna, to name a few. Music business executives, music production firms, independent…