Our Creative Council

Bibi Bakare-Yusuf understands the need for diverse African stories. The Nigerian co-founder of one of Africa’s premier publishing houses, Cassava Republic Press, she noticed that cultural works in the University of Lagos in the early 2000s weren’t filled with accurate stories of a changing world.

Eric Chinje is the CEO of Africa Media Initiative (AMI), a role he was appointed to in 2014. Before taking up his position at AMI, Eric served as senior advisor at the KRL International LLC, a Washington-based consultancy specialising in the emerging markets.

Gosia Brzezinska is the co-founder of BB Partners and advises international development organisations and philanthropists on global communications and advocacy.

Addis Alemayehou has become a household name in Africa’s entrepreneurship landscape, with Ethiopia as the genesis of his successful business career.

Nkiru Balonwu is an entrepreneur and activist based in Lagos. As the founder of consultancy firm RDF Strategies, she provides expertise on organisational strategy, partnerships, social outreach, government relations, boards, reputation management and investor relations.

Nnenna Onyewuchi is the co-founder and director of strategy of Yellow Brick Road, a full-service communications agency based in Lagos. She has over 20 years’ experience across a variety of creative disciplines including advertising, experiential marketing, film production and pay-tv.

Omar Ben Yedder is the group publisher and managing director of leading publishing, events and communications group IC Publications. The organisation has over 50 years’ experience in publishing magazines, country supplements, industry reports and market intelligence on Africa.

Richard Addy is co-founder and director of the international audience strategy consultancy (Addy Kassova Audience Strategy Ltd (AKAS), which he set up with Luba Kassova to help purpose-led organisations in the UK and globally.

Zain Verjee is one of the world’s most respected journalists, and an esteemed interviewer who has spoken to leading politicians and artists.

Muriel is currently head of business development – commercial, operations and philanthropic partnerships at BBC World Service, where she leads a multifunctional team working across editorial philanthropic partnerships, commercial strategy, technical operations and communications.

Terence McNamee has worked on development, governance, and security issues for more than two decades, and continues to wear multiple hats as a scholar, consultant, author and editor.

James Irungu Mwangi is the Executive Director of the Dalberg Group, and a Partner with Dalberg Advisors. James established Dalberg’s presence in Africa, beginning with the Johannesburg office in 2007.