This policy brief presents priority actions for ECOWAS, drawn directly from the conference outcomes and communique, to strengthen regional governance, enhance transparency, prevent illicit financial flows (IFFs), and promote equitable and sustainable mineral development across West Africa.
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Chukwu-Emeka Chikezie is an international development practitioner with more than four decades of experience spanning ICT, journalism, academia, migration, diaspora engagement and economic development. He currently serves as Country Director of the International Growth Centre (IGC) Sierra Leone and leads Invest Salone, an initiative promoting private sector growth and investment.
A co-founder of the African Foundation for Development (AFFORD), Chukwu-Emeka has been a pioneer in advancing the role of African diasporas in the continent's development. His work has also included advising governments on migration and development and supporting Sierra Leone's national response during the Ebola outbreak.
At the Repairing International Development Conference, Chukwu-Emeka contributes to the panel "Re-imagining International Development for the Next Century: A Global Majority Blueprint", bringing deep expertise on systems thinking, diaspora engagement and innovative approaches to Africa's economic transformation and development.
Jesús Amadeo Martínez Guzman is an Indigenous leader from the Lenka People of El Salvador and a dedicated advocate for the rights, self-determination and collective wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples across Latin America. He serves as General Coordinator of the Abya Yala Indigenous Forum (FIAY), strengthening Indigenous leadership and regional collaboration.
Through his work with FIAY, Jesús promotes Indigenous participation in regional and global decision-making processes while advancing development approaches rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems, collective rights and territorial governance. His leadership has contributed to greater solidarity and cooperation among Indigenous organisations across the region.
At the Repairing International Development Conference, Jesús contributes to the panel "Re-imagining International Development for the Next Century: A Global Majority Blueprint", bringing valuable perspectives on Indigenous governance, regional solidarity and the role of Indigenous knowledge in shaping more just and sustainable development futures.
Dr. Amara Enyia is a strategist, policy expert and organiser serving as Co-Executive Director of the Movement for Black Lives. Her work spans public policy, economic justice, racial justice and movement building, advancing transformative approaches to governance and global systems change.
She is also Senior Fellow and Senior Director of Global Initiatives at the Institute on Race, Power, and Political Economy at The New School, where she leads initiatives on political economy and global governance. Through her leadership of Global Black and several international working groups, she champions economic sovereignty, racial justice and transnational collaboration across Black communities.
At the Repairing International Development Conference, Dr. Enyia contributes to the panel "Re-imagining International Development for the Next Century: A Global Majority Blueprint", bringing powerful perspectives on movement building, economic sovereignty and transforming global institutions to advance justice and equity.
Brian Kagoro is Managing Director of Programs and Africa Geo Lead at the Open Society Foundations, where he provides strategic leadership for initiatives advancing justice, democratic governance and inclusive development. He brings more than 25 years of experience in international development, human rights and systems transformation across Africa and globally.
Throughout his career, Brian has held senior leadership roles with organisations including the United Nations Development Programme and ActionAid International. His work has focused on democratic governance, transitional, restorative and reparative justice, accountability and advancing equitable outcomes for marginalised communities.
At the Repairing International Development Conference, Brian contributes to the panel "Re-imagining International Development for the Next Century: A Global Majority Blueprint", bringing deep insights on systems change, justice and reimagining global power structures to create more equitable development futures.
Dr. Nana Asantewa Afadzinu is the Executive Director of the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) and a respected lawyer, civil society leader and philanthropy expert with more than 26 years of experience advancing governance, human rights and locally led development across Africa.
Throughout her career, she has worked with leading regional and international organisations, including the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Ibis West Africa and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA). She has also served on numerous public, corporate and non-profit boards, championing civil society strengthening, accountable governance and African philanthropy.
At the Repairing International Development Conference, Dr. Afadzinu moderates the panel "Re-imagining International Development for the Next Century: A Global Majority Blueprint", bringing valuable perspectives on civil society leadership, African agency, philanthropy and the future of locally led development.
Benjamin Kojo Fiafor is a development communication specialist with more than 21 years of experience advancing agriculture, livelihoods and food security across West Africa. He serves as Head of Development at Just Communication, an initiative of Farm Radio International, where he leads Communication for Development (C4D) programmes that strengthen rural livelihoods and resilient food systems.
Throughout his career, Benjamin has designed and implemented participatory communication initiatives that empower smallholder farmers through accessible media, knowledge sharing and community engagement. His expertise spans programme development, project management, facilitation and strategic advisory services across the agricultural development sector.
At the Repairing International Development Conference, Benjamin brings valuable insights on communication for development, participatory media and the power of locally rooted storytelling to strengthen food systems and drive community-led development.
Charles Kojo Vandyck is a development practitioner, author and thought leader dedicated to advancing locally led development, systems change and civil society strengthening across Africa and the Global Majority. He currently serves as Head of the Capacity Development Unit at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI).
Through his work, Charles supports civil society organisations, funders and development actors in building resilient institutions, strengthening leadership and promoting equitable partnerships. He is widely recognised for his contributions to localisation, power shifting and sustainable organisational development.
At the Repairing International Development Conference, Charles brings practical insights on civil society leadership, institutional resilience and transforming development systems through locally rooted, people-centred approaches and meaningful shifts in power.
Audrey Mena is a Colombian lawyer, legal scholar and racial justice advocate serving as Executive Director of ILEX Acción Jurídica. Her work advances the rights of Afro-descendant communities through strategic litigation, socio-legal research and policy advocacy grounded in an intersectional approach.
Holding a Master of Laws from the University of Notre Dame and a PhD in Law from Universidad del Rosario, Audrey has worked across academia, public institutions and international organisations. She leads legal and policy initiatives addressing structural racism, environmental justice, territorial rights, economic justice and access to justice.
At the Repairing International Development Conference, Audrey brings valuable perspectives on racial justice, legal transformation and the role of Afro-descendant knowledge in shaping more equitable, inclusive and community-centred approaches to international development.
Dr. Jide Martyns Okeke is a development economist and international civil servant serving as Director of the Regional Programme for Africa at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). He leads strategic initiatives that advance governance, human development, resilience and inclusive growth across the African continent.
Throughout his career with UNDP, Dr. Okeke has contributed to the design and implementation of regional development policies, governance frameworks and human development strategies. His work has shaped important conversations on accountable institutions, leadership, migration and sustainable development in Africa.
At the Repairing International Development Conference, Dr. Okeke brings valuable perspectives on multilateral cooperation, regional development policy and institutional reform, contributing to discussions on building more inclusive, equitable and locally driven international development systems.
Natasha Ferguson, widely known as The Orange Economy Lady, is the Founder of N.F. Orange Economy Advisory, the world's first advisory dedicated exclusively to building sovereign Orange Economy infrastructure. She is an international development and strategic communications expert with more than 15 years of experience across the public, private and non-profit sectors.
Her work explores the intersection of creative industries, reparatory justice and economic transformation, supporting countries to harness culture, creativity and heritage as drivers of sustainable development. She has advised organisations internationally and has been recognised by PRWeek, Bloomberg and Fortune for her leadership in the creative economy.
At the Repairing International Development Conference, Natasha brings fresh perspectives on creative economies, reparatory justice and innovative development models that place culture, identity and local creativity at the centre of inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Jason Rosario Braganza is a Kenyan international development economist with more than a decade of experience advancing economic justice, development finance and public policy across Africa. His work focuses on sovereign debt, trade, industrial policy and structural reforms that promote equitable and sustainable development.
As former Executive Director of the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD), Jason led advocacy for debt justice and stronger African representation in global financial governance. He has also held senior leadership roles with the International Lawyers Project, Tax Justice Network Africa and Development Initiatives.
At the Repairing International Development Conference, Jason brings deep expertise in debt justice, economic governance and development finance. As moderator of the panel "Radical Repair – (K)New Development Praxis to Repair International Development", he will guide conversations on structural reforms and African-led approaches to global development.
Yurshell Rodríguez is an environmental engineer, climate justice advocate and storyteller from the Raizal community of Colombia's Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina. She leads the Training Department at If Not Us Then Who?, where she empowers Indigenous Peoples and local communities to tell their own stories and shape the narratives that affect their lives.
Through global training programmes, mentorship and creative initiatives, Yurshell supports Indigenous and community filmmakers in advancing climate justice, territorial rights, cultural resilience and self-determination. She is also a climate activist who contributed to the landmark youth-led legal action that compelled the Colombian government to address Amazon deforestation.
At the Repairing International Development Conference, Yurshell brings powerful perspectives on storytelling, narrative sovereignty and Indigenous knowledge, demonstrating how community-led narratives can drive justice, influence policy and transform development discourse.
Ruby Hembrom is an Adivasi (Indigenous) cultural documentarian, writer, publisher and advocate from India. She is the Founder and Director of adivaani (First Voices), an Indigenous-led publishing and archiving initiative dedicated to preserving, reclaiming and amplifying Adivasi histories, knowledge and narratives.
Through storytelling, publishing and advocacy, Ruby has worked to challenge the historical marginalisation of Indigenous voices while promoting knowledge sovereignty and cultural preservation. Her work empowers Indigenous communities to tell their own stories and shape the narratives that influence policy, development and social change.
Currently a PhD candidate at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Ruby brings powerful perspectives on Indigenous storytelling, narrative justice and self-determination. At the Repairing International Development Conference, she explores the role of Indigenous voices in transforming development discourse and practice.
Lucy Mulenkei is a Maasai leader, Indigenous rights advocate and Executive Director of the Indigenous Information Network (IIN). With decades of experience, she has championed the rights of Indigenous Peoples, particularly Indigenous women and girls, while advancing inclusive approaches to environmental governance and sustainable development.
Her work spans biodiversity conservation, climate change, gender equality and human rights, ensuring that Indigenous knowledge, priorities and leadership are reflected in local, regional and global policy processes. She is widely recognised for bridging community perspectives with international environmental and development agendas.
At the Repairing International Development Conference, Lucy brings valuable insights on Indigenous knowledge systems, environmental justice and women's leadership, highlighting the importance of centring Indigenous voices in shaping equitable and sustainable development.
Dr. Nana Asantewa Afadzinu is the Executive Director of the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) and a distinguished lawyer, civil society leader and philanthropy expert with more than 26 years of experience advancing governance, human rights and locally led development across Africa.
Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles with prominent regional and international organisations, including the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Ibis West Africa and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA). Her work has focused on strengthening civil society, promoting accountable governance and advancing African-led development solutions.
At the Repairing International Development Conference, Dr. Afadzinu brings deep expertise in African philanthropy, civil society leadership and narrative change, contributing valuable perspectives on African agency and reimagining development through locally led approaches.
Jacqueline Cariño is the Coordinator of Partners for Indigenous Knowledge Philippines (PIKP), a learning network dedicated to promoting, protecting and sustaining Indigenous knowledge systems through collaboration among Indigenous knowledge holders, researchers, artists and community organisations.
She works closely with Indigenous communities to strengthen knowledge sharing, cultural continuity and community wellbeing while advancing Indigenous-led initiatives that recognise Indigenous knowledge as a foundation for sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
At the Repairing International Development Conference, Jacqueline brings valuable perspectives on Indigenous knowledge systems, cultural preservation and community-led approaches to development, with particular emphasis on food systems, land stewardship and ecological resilience.
Faith Nataya is a development practitioner and advocate for Indigenous Peoples’ rights, currently serving as Programme Officer at the Pawanka Fund. She supports Indigenous-led initiatives that strengthen community priorities and promote equitable, culturally grounded approaches to development.
Her work focuses on advancing Indigenous leadership, youth and women’s empowerment, and the intergenerational transmission of Indigenous knowledge systems. She is committed to ensuring that Indigenous voices are meaningfully represented in regional and global policy and development processes.
At the Repairing International Development Conference, Faith brings valuable perspectives on Indigenous youth engagement, community-led development and the importance of centring Indigenous knowledge systems in shaping more just, sustainable and inclusive development futures.
Dr. Carla Bush is the Operations and Programme Director at the Pawanka Fund, where she supports Indigenous-led initiatives that strengthen community resilience, self-determination and sustainable development. She holds a PhD in History with a specialisation in Regional and Local Transdisciplinary Studies from the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua.
With decades of experience working across Indigenous and multicultural territories, Dr. Bush has led initiatives focused on community development, poverty reduction, climate change, policy planning and participatory governance. She has collaborated extensively with Indigenous communities, women's organisations and civil society networks throughout Central America.
At the Repairing International Development Conference, Dr. Bush brings extensive expertise in Indigenous-led development financing, participatory governance and community-centred approaches that promote equitable, culturally grounded and sustainable development.
Alma Gilda López Mejía is a Maya K'iche' leader, Indigenous human rights defender and advocate with more than 25 years of experience advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous women in Guatemala and across the region. She represents Fundación Kemb'lil and works to strengthen Indigenous leadership, self-determination and collective rights.
Her work spans Indigenous governance, gender justice, intercultural dialogue, territorial governance and public policy, while promoting culturally grounded approaches to healing, peacebuilding and community resilience. She has played a significant role in amplifying the voices of Indigenous women within national and regional decision-making spaces.
At the Repairing International Development Conference, Alma brings valuable perspectives on Indigenous governance, gender justice and the importance of centring Indigenous knowledge systems in advancing equitable, community-led development and wellbeing.
Dr. Cindy Ayers Elliott is an American farmer, entrepreneur and community development leader dedicated to advancing food sovereignty, economic empowerment and sustainable agriculture. She is the Founder and Chief Executor of Foot Print Farms in Mississippi, where she champions community-centred food systems and locally driven development.
A former Wall Street investment banker turned farmer, Dr. Ayers Elliott combines business expertise with practical agricultural innovation to promote healthy food access, speciality crop production, agritourism and economic opportunities for underserved communities. She is also a respected mentor supporting emerging farmers, women and young people.
Through her work, Dr. Ayers Elliott demonstrates how agriculture can drive resilience, dignity and community transformation. At the Repairing International Development Conference, she brings valuable insights on food sovereignty, community-led agriculture and culturally grounded approaches to sustainable development.
Dr. Myrna Cunningham is an internationally respected Indigenous leader from the Miskitu Peoples of Nicaragua with more than four decades of experience advancing Indigenous rights, self-determination and inclusive governance. She currently serves as Chairperson of the Pawanka Fund Guiding Committee and Vice President of FILAC.
She played a pivotal role in establishing the autonomy regime for Indigenous Peoples and ethnic communities on Nicaragua's Caribbean Coast and has dedicated her career to promoting human rights, Indigenous knowledge systems and policies grounded in Indigenous priorities and worldviews.
Through her leadership, Dr. Cunningham continues to champion Indigenous-led approaches to development, philanthropy and international cooperation. At the Repairing International Development Conference, she brings invaluable perspectives on Indigenous governance, reparative justice and transforming development through community-led solutions.
Dr. Liliane Umubyeyi is a Rwandan researcher, justice practitioner and Co-Founder and Executive Director of African Futures Lab. Her work focuses on rule of law, access to justice, transitional justice and decolonial approaches to development, advancing more equitable and inclusive global systems.
Before founding African Futures Lab, she worked with the United Nations, Lawyers Without Borders, the International Center for Transitional Justice and the American Bar Association, supporting programmes on justice, human rights and gender equality for marginalised communities.
Holding dual doctorates in Social Sciences and Law, Dr. Umubyeyi combines academic research with practical experience to advance reparative justice and the decolonisation of development. At the Repairing International Development Conference, she brings valuable insights on justice, decolonisation and transforming global development systems.
Noel Didla is a movement strategist, resource mobiliser and systems change practitioner based in Jackson, Mississippi. Originally from Guntur, South India, her work spans policy, philanthropy, knowledge production and community organising across the US Deep South and the Global South.
As Co-Founder and Co-Steward of the Deep South Solidarity Fund, Noel supports Black, Indigenous and people of colour-led organisations and movement infrastructure across the US Deep South. Her work focuses on shifting resources and decision-making power toward communities advancing justice, equity and systemic transformation.
Grounded in solidarity and place-based organising, Noel advocates for more equitable and participatory approaches to philanthropy and development. At the Repairing International Development Conference, she shares perspectives on solidarity economies, participatory resourcing and Global Majority-led approaches to social change.
Makmid Kamara is a Sierra Leonean human rights leader, reparatory justice advocate and development communications practitioner with nearly two decades of experience advancing human rights, governance and development across Africa and the United Kingdom. He is the Founder and Director of Reform Initiatives and currently serves as Regional Director for Africa and the Middle East at the International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM).
He previously served as the founding Director of the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF) and held senior leadership positions with Amnesty International, where he led research on serious human rights violations and mass atrocities across Africa. Earlier in his career, he worked with Oxfam GB, Concern Worldwide and as a journalist.
Through his leadership, research and advocacy, Makmid continues to champion reparatory justice, democratic governance and media freedom. At the Repairing International Development Conference, he brings a compelling vision for transforming international development through systems reform, equity and African-led solutions.
Thomas Piketty is a globally renowned economist and economic historian whose work has reshaped international debates on inequality, wealth distribution, taxation and economic justice. He is Professor at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) and the Paris School of Economics, and Co-Director of the World Inequality Lab and World Inequality Database.
His research examines the relationship between economic development, wealth inequality and political institutions, with a focus on how fiscal and social policies influence long-term patterns of inequality. His scholarship has informed policy discussions and academic research around the world.
Author of several influential books, including Capital in the Twenty-First Century, Capital and Ideology, and A Brief History of Equality, Professor Piketty brings valuable perspectives on global inequality, economic governance and structural reforms for a more equitable development system.
Prof. Ibbo Mandaza is a distinguished Zimbabwean political economist, academic, author and public policy expert with more than four decades of experience shaping governance, democracy and development discourse across Africa. He currently serves as Executive Chair of the Southern African Political Economy Series (SAPES) Trust.
Throughout his career, Prof. Mandaza has held senior academic and public service positions, including Permanent Secretary in Zimbabwe's Ministry of Manpower Planning and Development, Deputy Chairperson of the Public Service Commission and Chairperson of the Parastatals Commission. His scholarship has significantly influenced debates on governance, sovereignty, regional integration and political economy.
At the Repairing International Development Conference, Prof. Mandaza brings a wealth of experience and Pan-African perspectives on African agency, governance, political economy and the future of equitable international development cooperation.
Dr. Ashwini K.P. is the United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Her work focuses on advancing equality and addressing social exclusion, intersectionality and descent-based discrimination within the international human rights framework.
A respected scholar and activist, she has dedicated her career to advocating for the rights of marginalised communities, particularly Dalit and Indigenous peoples in India. Her work has strengthened the participation and leadership of women from marginalised communities within civil society and decision-making spaces.
Dr. Ashwini is the co-founder of Zariya and a Visiting Fellow at Stanford University. At the Repairing International Development Conference, she brings critical insights on racism, inequality and rights-based approaches to transforming international development.
Pawanka Fund is a global Indigenous-led fund that works in partnership with Indigenous organizations and institutions to support community-based initiatives rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems, learning processes and cultural practices.
Through long-term relationships built on trust, dialogue and collaboration, the Fund strengthens local capacities and supports community-led efforts that advance cultural continuity, wellbeing and self-determined development across diverse Indigenous communities.
Operating across seven socio-cultural regions of the world, Pawanka Fund provides direct support to Indigenous organizations while facilitating knowledge exchange, mutual learning and connections between local initiatives and broader regional and global processes.
The Deep South Solidarity Fund (DSSF) is a movement resource organisation committed to sustainably supporting Black, Brown and Indigenous movement builders, their institutions and community infrastructure across Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Through flexible and community-centred funding, DSSF invests in grassroots leadership, collective organising and long-term movement building. Since its establishment, the Fund has provided millions of dollars in support to individuals and organisations working to advance justice, equity and liberation throughout the Deep South.
DSSF envisions a future where communities have the resources, security, dignity and power needed to thrive. Working alongside its partners, the Fund helps create healthy and sovereign communities that serve as anchors of justice, equity and transformative social change.
African Futures Lab (AFALAB) is a pan-African organisation dedicated to advancing racial justice, accountability and reparative action across Africa and Europe. Founded in 2021 by Liliane Umubyeyi and Amah Edoh, the Lab emerged from a recognition that international development has often overlooked the lasting impact of colonialism and racial domination on global inequalities.
Through research, advocacy and movement-building, AFALAB works to challenge systems that perpetuate historical and contemporary injustices. The organisation partners with civil society actors, public institutions and communities to promote truth, accountability and meaningful reform.
With offices in Nairobi and Brussels and a growing network of fellows across Africa and Europe, African Futures Lab combines rigorous analysis with bold advocacy to amplify African perspectives and advance reparative justice for Africans and Afro-descendant communities.
EPIC-Africa is a Dakar-based organisation working to enhance philanthropic impact across Africa by strengthening civil society organisations and filling critical data, capacity and visibility gaps within the sector.
Through research, storytelling, technology and capacity support, EPIC-Africa helps African civil society organisations improve performance, accountability, transparency and local legitimacy while connecting them to resources, tools and opportunities for growth.
Guided by a vision of a vibrant philanthropic ecosystem with strong African civil society groups at the centre, EPIC-Africa promotes innovation, evidence-based action, collaboration and sustainable support for civil society across the continent.
The African Foundation for Development (AFFORD) is an international organisation established in 1994 to expand and strengthen the contributions of Africans in the diaspora to the continent's development. Through its offices in Africa and Europe, AFFORD mobilises diaspora knowledge, investment and partnerships to promote sustainable economic growth and social development.
AFFORD works across enterprise development, diaspora finance, investment, policy advocacy and capacity building, supporting entrepreneurs, governments and development partners to unlock the potential of diaspora engagement. Its programmes help transform remittances, strengthen businesses and shape policies that foster inclusive and sustainable development.
Guided by a commitment to innovation, collaboration and African-led solutions, AFFORD continues to champion the vital role of the African diaspora in driving economic transformation, creating opportunities and shaping the continent's development future.
Reos Partners is a global systems transformation organisation that helps leaders, institutions and diverse stakeholders work together to address complex societal challenges. Through systemic, collaborative and creative approaches, Reos supports partners in designing solutions that drive meaningful and lasting change.
Over the past two decades, Reos has worked in more than 80 countries with governments, civil society, foundations, businesses and research institutions. Its work focuses on building transformative partnerships, shaping future-fit strategies and strengthening leadership capabilities for collective action.
Guided by the values of radical engagement, adaptive rigour and humble courage, Reos Partners enables organisations and coalitions to navigate complexity, align around shared purpose and deliver equitable, scalable and sustainable systems change.
The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) is a regional capacity development organisation established in 2005 to strengthen civil society across West Africa. Since becoming operational in 2007, the Institute has worked to build responsive, collaborative, representative, resilient and influential civil society organisations.
Through knowledge sharing, learning, policy influencing and strategic convening, WACSI supports civil society actors to strengthen leadership, organisational effectiveness and long-term sustainability. Its work spans governance, civic space, philanthropy, digital transformation and locally led development across the region.
Guided by its vision of a peaceful and prosperous West Africa where development is driven by its people, WACSI continues to serve as a trusted regional hub for learning, innovation and collaboration, helping shape stronger civil society institutions and more inclusive development outcomes.
The Reimagining International NGOs (RINGO) Project is a global systems change initiative launched in 2020 to foster a more just, equitable and sustainable civil society. It works to reshape the role of international NGOs by promoting solidarity, shared power and locally led approaches to development.
Through research, innovation and cross-sector collaboration, RINGO brings together civil society leaders, funders and development practitioners to rethink governance, accountability, resource flows and partnerships. Its work places the leadership and voices of Majority World actors at the centre of transforming the global development ecosystem.
Hosted by the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) since 2023, RINGO continues to build a global community committed to reimagining international development through practical innovations, collective learning and systems change that empower communities to lead their own development futures.