Innovation Summit - Meridian International Center

Participant Biographies
Ms. Fadumo Cismaan Hadji Cabdi – Somalia
Manager, Department Store
Ms. Cabdi runs a local department store with her mother and is a member of the Partnership for
Economic Growth (PEG) Program sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development
(USAID). PEG partners with authorities and private sector groups to develop the private sector
through skills development and improved access to financial services, and to advance opportunities
for women entrepreneurs through business associations and better access to business development
and financial services. With the help of this initiative, Ms. Cabdi hopes to expand her store by
identifying and supporting small businesses in outlying villages in order to sell their commodities.
Ms. Cabdi also volunteers at a local NGO, Somaliland Association for Youth Salvation (SAYS),
which provides educational programs for youth.
Mr. Muzi Wandile Hlatshwayo – Swaziland
IT Projects Officer, Standard Bank
Mr. Hlatshwayo oversees all of Standard Bank information systems projects in Swaziland. Standard
Bank has a 150-year history in South Africa and started building a franchise in the rest of Africa in
the early 1990s. It currently operates in 18 countries on the African continent, including South Africa,
as well as in other selected emerging markets. Standard Bank’s strategy is to build the leading
African financial services organization and focus on delivering superior sustainable shareholder
value by offering first-class, on-the-ground operations. In addition to his work at Standard Bank, Mr.
Hlatshwayo is committed to youth empowerment and community development. He is committed to
self-enrichment through leadership and life coaching courses and he reaches a nationwide audience
through his weekly columns and radio programs with messages of creating positive change for
individuals and communities. Mr. Hlatshwayo started a “Young Climbers Fund” as an expansion of
a motivational radio program to raise money for children to continue with their education.
Mr. Francois Xavier Burume Kabema – Democratic Republic of the Congo
Commercial Director, GBS Enterprises Incorporated
Mr. Kabemba manages sales teams and successfully launched new products and services in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo markets for GBS Enterprises Incorporated (OTCBB: GBSX).
GBS Enterprises is the parent company of GROUP Business Software AG (GBS), which is a global
software and services company specializing in cloud automation and IBM Lotus Notes and Domino.
He also prepares, executes and evaluates annual marketing plans as well as managing agencies in
different fields (administration, finance, human resources, communication and sales).
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