Conference
Secretariat

Dr Elvis Shoko is a preeminent champion of battery value chains within emerging markets, dedicated to ensuring these economies are central to the global energy transition. As the Founder and Managing Partner of Afrionics Energy Ltd, Dr Shoko has spearheaded numerous high-impact projects across the battery lifecycle — from raw material integration to end-user deployment.

Since 2024, Dr Shoko has served as Strategic Advisor to the Faraday Institution's Battery Ambassador Programme, bridging the gap between the UK's thriving battery ecosystem and emerging market innovators. He founded the Emerging Markets Battery Conference to provide a dedicated global forum for these vital economies.

Dr Ikechukwu Ayogu is a pioneer in the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Materials Science, dedicated to accelerating the transition to sustainable energy across Africa. Based at the Africa Centre of Excellence in Future Energies and Electrochemical Systems (ACE-FUELS) in Nigeria, Dr Ayogu specialises in using Machine Learning to discover and optimise locally abundant resources for next-generation battery technologies.

By integrating data-driven insights with electrochemical research, Dr Ayogu's work addresses the unique "local realities" of energy storage in resource-constrained regions — positioning him as a key driver of indigenous innovation through high-tech digital solutions.

Dr Enzoh Langi is a leading voice in the sustainable lifecycle of energy storage, specialising in the recycling of electric vehicle (EV) batteries and management of critical materials. A PhD graduate in Mechanical Engineering from Loughborough University (UK), Dr Langi combines deep technical expertise with four years of hands-on industrial experience as a Service Engineer at SKF (Zambia) Ltd.

A recognised Faraday Institution Battery Ambassador for Zambia, Dr Langi is at the forefront of regional efforts to establish circular economies for battery technologies. His research spans material characterisation, microstructural analysis, and mechanical behaviour.

Dr Mohd Najib is a Professional Engineer and leading expert in the integration of Renewable Energy and Power Electronics. Currently an Associate Professor at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and an Associate Fellow at the Solar Research Institute, his work is essential for bridging the gap between battery storage and utility-scale solar infrastructure.

With a PhD in Electrical Engineering and extensive experience as a technical expert for the Green Technology Financing Scheme (GreenTech Malaysia), Dr Najib brings a pragmatic perspective to the battery industry — including consultancy on the 50MW Edra Solar Project.

Eng. Dr Julius Butime is an internationally recognised leader in engineering education and capacity building, with over 14 years of experience spanning Africa and Europe. As the pioneering Dean of the School of Computing and Engineering Sciences at Strathmore University, Dr Butime has aligned academic excellence with industrial demands — focusing on technology-driven solutions for climate resilience.

A Faraday Institution Battery Ambassador, Dr Butime is a central figure in harmonising battery technology research with sustainable energy systems across the continent, and serves as Co-PI for the Multidisciplinary Mobility for a Climate Resilient Africa grant.

Dr Rudolph Kashinga is a distinguished engineering professional specialising in the Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Computational Mechanics. As Head of Mechanical Engineering at The Copperbelt University, Zambia, Dr Kashinga draws on post-doctoral research at Nanjing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics and a PhD from Loughborough University.

A Fellow of the Engineering Institution of Zambia (FEIZ), he has bridged academia and industry through high-level consultancies, including cryogenic systems design and industrial manufacturing feasibility studies — vital to pushing battery hardware toward safer, more resilient solutions.

David Kiogora Kimathi is a seasoned communications strategist and multimedia specialist dedicated to amplifying the impact of technical innovation. As Communications Officer for Content Development at Strathmore University's School of Computing and Engineering Sciences, David leads strategic storytelling that brings complex research to a global audience.

With a background in journalism and digital media from Africa Nazarene University, David has produced high-stakes content for TV47 and international NGOs — translating technical breakthroughs into compelling human-centred narratives.

Dr Ghulam Ali is a distinguished expert in electrochemical energy storage, with over 15 years of pioneering research in Lithium-ion and Sodium-ion battery technologies. As Head of Department Research at the U.S.-Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E), NUST, his work sits at the cutting edge of crystallinity engineering and advanced electrode material optimisation.

Dr Ali has successfully orchestrated three international symposia and five specialised workshops on energy storage, and is a cornerstone of the conference's mission to bridge global research with local energy solutions.

Stephen Yaw Ntiamoah is a distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCA), Ghana, with over 15 years of expertise in the financial administration of energy-focused academic institutions. As Deputy Director of Finance at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Stephen specialises in the financial governance of large-scale, donor-funded energy projects.

With a proven track record in enhancing financial transparency and operational efficiency, Stephen ensures the structural integrity of complex project budgets — providing the fiscal foundation needed to align ambitious battery research with long-term industrial viability.

Chitha is a versatile finance and business leader with over 18 years of experience bridging rigorous financial management and industrial innovation. Currently leading project accounting at Mzuzu University, Chitha is a Certified Business Innovation and Incubation Manager (AAIN), recognised for transforming youth-led initiatives into viable business ventures.

With an Executive MBA and an advanced background in Finance and Investment from the London School of Business and Finance, Chitha brings a sophisticated investment lens to the battery sector. A serial entrepreneur and co-founder of the Concerned Youth Organisation, his expertise in scaling startups is essential for commercialising battery technologies in emerging markets.