Seja Kekana, Board Chair, Setup A Startup (Parent Organization of the Africa Startup Ecosystem Builders Summit and Awards, ASEB). Seja Kekana is an esteemed leader in the areas of corporate finance, venture capital, and project finance, currently holding a principal role at Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking, focusing on infrastructure, water, and telecommunications finance since September 2021. She holds a Master of Philosophy in Corporate Strategy from GIBS Business School, and has further enhanced her expertise through specialized training in PPP & Project Finance.

Professional Journey:

National Empowerment Fund: As the former Head of the Strategic Projects Fund, Seja managed a portfolio valued at R30 billion, targeting key sectors like healthcare, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, and agro-processing that are crucial to economic growth in South Africa.

Industrial Development Corporation: Worked as an Investment professional in the ICT Sector-specific Business Unit, developing a deep expertise in project finance and corporate finance.

Board Roles: Served as a Non-Executive Director at IMBAZA MUSSELS and Amazin Hotels t/a Park Inn Polokwane, bringing her strategic acumen to these organizations.

Achievements:

• Awarded as one of the InspiringFifty Africa Women in Tech 2023, highlighting her influential role in advancing technology and innovation within Africa.
• Involved in pivotal projects that have shaped economic development strategies and implementation.

Skills and Expertise:

• Proficient in Dealmaking, Stakeholder Management, Strategic and Technology Management in contexts requiring sensitive technological integration.
• Expert in Project Development and Management, Investment Portfolio Monitoring, and Fund Management.

Role in Setup A Startup and ASEB:

As the Board Chair of Setup A Startup, which is the umbrella organization for ASEB, Seja utilizes her extensive background to promote and enhance innovation and entrepreneurship across Africa. Her leadership at ASEB helps direct the summit’s initiatives to bolster the startup ecosystem, offering a platform to support and celebrate emerging entrepreneurs and startups in Africa.

Vision for Setup A Startup and ASEB: Seja is dedicated to fostering a robust entrepreneurial culture that can drive sustainable economic growth across Africa. Her strategy includes enhancing access to necessary resources, fostering mentorship opportunities, and facilitating broad networking possibilities to help startups scale effectively and compete globally. Her efforts aim to position Africa as a hub of innovation and entrepreneurial success.