About

ABOUT US

Africa Economic Leadership Council (AELC) stands as a bold Pan-African force—driven by visionary founders and guided by a distinguished Secretariat and Board of Leaders committed to reshaping Africa’s economic future. We exist to redefine how African entrepreneurs connect, collaborate, and scale across borders—building a united, self-sustaining continental economy.
At the heart of our mandate is unlocking the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area. AELC actively unpacks the opportunities within this historic single market—empowering entrepreneurs with strategic intelligence, market access pathways, and the tools required to trade confidently across Africa. We are bridging the gap between policy and enterprise—ensuring AfCFTA becomes a lived economic reality for African businesses.
We are deliberate in building a powerful global African network—one that connects entrepreneurs to markets, capital, and partnerships beyond borders. Through this ecosystem, we enable businesses to transition from local relevance to continental influence and global competitiveness.
Guided by our founders and strengthened by the leadership of our Secretariat and Board, AELC is committed to inclusive economic transformation. We ensure that opportunities are not confined to major cities, but reach entrepreneurs in rural and underserved communities—unlocking grassroots innovation and expanding Africa’s productive capacity.
Through high-impact platforms, strategic convenings, and collaborative frameworks, AELC equips its members to overcome structural barriers, access new markets, and scale sustainably. We are not merely supporting businesses—we are building African champions.
AELC is a movement. A platform. A continental engine of growth.
We are shaping a future where African entrepreneurs trade with Africa, lead globally, and define the continent’s economic destiny.

VISION
Creating a sustainable networking link amongst. African entrepreneurs across the continent.

MISSION
Through networking and collaboration on a global platform, our members
will be afforded the opportunity to use available forums and resources to grow and solidify
and solidify their respective businesses and, in doing so move beyond the local in pursuit of achieving a global presence

VALUES
CollaborationEthicalProgressive

OUR PARTNERS

MEET THE TEAM

Heinrich Hafeni Nghidipaya
Co-founder & President
Heinrich Hafeni is a visionary entrepreneur and dynamic leader with a passion for community development and driving positive change in Africa. Hailing from land of the brave, Namibia, Heinrich has a proven track record of success in the tourism industry and as a leader in his respective field. His passion for tourism stems from his years o f experience as an overland tour guide when he worked in 14 African countries. Heinrich’s entrepreneurship career began in 2011 when he founded Hafeni Tourism Group PTY Ltd, a company specializing in cultural & community tourism through township tours in Swakopmund. The company later expanded into the opening of the Hafeni Traditional Restaurant, a local cuisine eatery which caters for both locals and tourists from all corners of the world. Thereafter, the company celebrated yet another milestone in the following years by the opening The Hafeni Bed & Breakfast Lodge in Walvis/ Bay. Heinrich’s vision for the Hafeni Tourism Organization is to build an all-inclusive and dynamic tourism organization which tells the happy Namibian story, creating opportunities for many in his community.

Heinrich leveraged his entrepreneurial skills into his dynamic leadership portfolios, starting off as a young leader and branch treasurer in the Swapo Party Youth League, he was then elected as the executive chairperson of Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) Swakopmund branch in 2012. In 2013, Heinrich became a recipient of the Young Leaders Program Scholarship in Saarland, Germany followed by his participation in the President Barack Obama -Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders (YALI) at the Clark Atlanta University where he obtained a certificate in Business & Leadership. Throughout his journey, Heinrich earned several accolades for his contribution t o Namibia’s business fraternity such an induction as both laureate (2015) and honorary laureate (2022) in the Namibia Business Hall of Fame.
As a thought leader and tourism entrepreneur, Heinrich continues t o be a driving force in shaping the future of the tourism industry in Namibia, leading by example through sustainable cultural tourism depicting the authentic Namibia, and inspiring others t o push boundaries, think differently, and strive for excellence in all endeavors. Today Heinrich continues to forge his leadership role as a Local Authority Councilor in the Municipality of Swakopmund, community and youth mentor, motivational speaker. Heinrich is the cofounder of Africa Economic Leadership Council, a Pan African business networking organization established in 2021 with the aims t o foster economic growth through trade, investment and intra- African trade collaboration.

LEADERSHIP ACCOLADES & QUALIFICATIONS

Young Professional Leadership Program- Saarland, Germany, 2013
University of Clark Atlanta- Business School, 2013
Entrepreneurship & New Venture Creation Certificate – University o f Witwatersrand, South Africa
Leadership & Management Development Series Certificate – O&L Group Namibia, 2014
Executive Member of the Constituency Development Committee CDC, 2014
Barack Obama Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Alumni,2015
Namibia Business Hall of Fame Induction :Laureate, 2015
Namibia United States Alumni Association Executive board member NUSAA, 2015
Executive Chairperson: Emerging Tourism Enterprise Association, ETEA, 2018
Crans Montana, New Leaders o f Tomorrow, 2017
Vice Chairperson : NTA Tourism & Hospitality Industry Skills Committee ISC
Namibia Business Hall o f Fame Induction: Honorary Laureate, 2022

Percy Morapedi Koji
Co-founder & Vice President
Percy Morapedi Koji, Africa Economic Leadership Council’s (AELC’s) co-founder and chairman,
Founder of Travel with Confidence PTY LTD, Hosano PTY LTD, & PERCY KOJI WINERY, an astute
South African businessman, 40-year-old. Speaker, Moderator and Mentor. He has more than 20
years’ experience in the Tourism industry, Construction and Property development, Agriculture,
Mining and Renewable Energy.

While his education and professional accolades are quite extensive, Percy has also shown his commitment and passion for uplifting the community and youth, his commitment to this cause speaks for itself as he is also the Founder of an NGO (Friends of Morokweng) which’s focus is to develop young leaders across society. He introduces an Exchange Program that seeks to promote culture and education between South Africa and the rest of the world (4-6 weeks exchange on culture and education). His 10 years’ public service experience perfectly positions him, to lead AELC and its members in maximising on the opportunities they seek, to grow in their respective businesses, while simultaneously contributing to a flourishing African economy.
Percy’s story though still in its beginning stages continues to inspire many youths, particularly entrepreneurs (upcoming and aspiring) in the community and this is where he draws his inspiration from, to work tirelessly and diligently in building sustainable businesses with an international client base for the benefit of our community.

Business Sector Focus

Agriculture

Mining

Travel & Tourism

Renewable Energy

Construction

Manufacturing

Logistics

HR Recruitment.

Fund Raising – Capital raising for Special Projects

Achievements

2021 to Current: Advisory Board Member – Howard University in Washington

2020 to 2023: Crans Montana Leader of Tomorrow – Global Leadership Award.

2021 to 2022: STEA – CEO (Small Tourism Enterprice Association)

2022: Namibia Business Hall of Fame (Impact Laureate)

2015: Young African Leader Global Award winner in Atlanta, US. Most promising young
leader award.

2015 to 2021: Board member at Lead Afrika (Leadership Development Institute).

2014: YALI (Young African Leaders Initiative).

2014: Mandela Washington Fellow (YALI 2014 Alumni).

2014: Senior Fellow, Howard University, USA

2014 to 2016: Fellow at Centre for Global Studies, Howard University, USA

2014: Public Administration Graduate at Howard University, USA.

2012 to 2021: President and Chair (Founding member of Generations Next) (Youth
Group) with the US Consulate in Johannesburg.

2012 to 2013: Former Youth Chairman of Community Youth Structure in Lenasia.

2012: EU (European Union) Scholarship recipient. Studied Intercultural Communications,
Gender, and Globalisation at Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Germany.

Former: Ward committee Member of Finance and Economic Development
(five-year term to date) advising the Councillor in Ward 117 on local affairs.

Former: Section 79 Advisor (full-time member and advisor to the Shadow Member of the
Mayoral Committee in Transport in South Africa).

Former: Section 79 alternate member to GEYODI (Gender and Youth with Disabilities)
in the City of Johannesburg.

Former: Deputy Director for Community Development in the City of Johannesburg.

Former: More than eight years of political experience in South Africa working
for government in the City of Johannesburg.

Former: Political advisor to Member of Parliament.

Former: Constituency advisor in the Houghton and Randburg constituencies