People behind the programme

Speakers & experts

Meet the invited speakers, presenters, panelists, moderators and facilitators supporting the AP401 Youth Empowerment Conference.

Speaker

Ms. Ruth Alfred

Ruth Alfred is a Commercial Analyst currently working for an international company based in Botswana, where she applies data analysis to support commercial decision-making and business performance.
Ruth holds a Master’s degree in Business Analytics from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Business School, and is also a Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate.
Prior to her postgraduate studies, Ruth graduated from the University of Botswana with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, where she was honoured as the Valedictorian of the Graduating Class of 2020, recognising her outstanding academic achievement and leadership among her graduating cohort.

Speaker

Ms. Ontifile Gaokgorwe

Bees Hive Academy

Ontifile Gaokgorwe is an award-winning Botswana social entrepreneur, inclusive education leader, disability inclusion advocate, mentor, and community development practitioner. Inspired by her experiences of exclusion, resilience, and motherhood, she founded The Bees Hive Academy in Francistown in 2016 to create a learning environment where every child—regardless of ability, background, or developmental needs—can belong and thrive. Under her leadership, the Academy has grown from seven learners to more than 100 children across two branches, employs 14 people, has provided scholarships to 21 children, and has graduated more than 157 learners.

Speaker

Ms. Charity K. Kennedy

BONMEH

Charity Kiki Kennedy is a dynamic development practitioner, social entrepreneur, trainer, and mental health advocate with more than 16 years of lived experience. She is the founder of the Botswana Network for Mental Health and has contributed significantly to national mental health advocacy, policy reform, workplace wellbeing, community development, and inclusive leadership. Her multidisciplinary expertise spans mental health, electrical and electronics engineering, project management, emerging industries, and energy—supported by her ongoing MBA studies in Oil, Gas and Energy(Dissertation stage).

Speaker

Prof. Catherine Kegakilwe Koofhethile

Botswana Harvard Health Partnership (BHP)

Prof. Catherine Koofhethile is a multi-award-winning Principal Research Scientist, Principal Investigator, and Training and Development Manager at the Botswana Harvard Health Partnership (BHP). She completed her graduate studies at world-renowned universities, boasting a postdoctoral fellowship from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (HSPH), USA, and is a collaborating research fellow at The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard. Prof. Koofhethile holds a PhD in Immunology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, an MSc in Immunology from the University of Birmingham, UK, and a BSc (Hons) in Medical Microbiology from the University of Surrey, UK. She holds a Department Associate position at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, USA, as well as an Adjunct Professor position at the University of Venda, South Africa.

Speaker

Mr. Kedumetse Liphi

Ked-Liphi Global

Kedumetse Liphi is a Botswana-born innovator, Electronic Engineer, entrepreneur, and the CEO & Chief Engineer of Ked-Liphi Global, an innovation-driven enterprise focused on developing sustainable technologies for underserved communities.

With a background in engineering and military service, Kedumetse founded Ked-Liphi while serving in the Botswana Defence Force. He is the inventor of the Chedza Solar Backpack, a patented solar-powered innovation designed to provide lighting and charging solutions to students and entrepreneurs in off-grid communities across Africa.

His work has received national and international recognition, including the COP28 Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation Technology Award, SEED Climate Adaptation Award, Best in Innovation & Technology Award, Best Male Youth of the Year Award, and selection among WIPO’s Top 25 Intellectual Properties in the World in 2024. He was also a GIST 2024 Fellow.

Kedumetse serves as a UNFCCC Youth Climate Negotiator for Botswana and is a member of the Pan African Game Changers. His work focuses on clean technology, youth-led innovation, entrepreneurship, climate action, and building Africa’s innovation ecosystem.

Speaker

Mr. Mmoloki Mmmolotsi

Progressive Institute (Chief Executive Officer)

Mmoloki Mmolotsi is a seasoned entrepreneur, consultant, and business leader with over 20 years of experience spanning the public service, private sector, and parastatal organisations. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Progressive Institute, a Botswana- and South Africa based consultancy firm that has emerged as a leading player in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry.

Speaker

Mr. K Mmusi

Goverment of Botswana

Chief Programmes Officer (Department of Youth Affairs)
* Coordination of Multilateral and Bilateral Agreements for the Department of Youth
* Management of stakeholder engagement for the Department of Youth
* Management of the Director’s schedule and strategic partners’ engagements
* Coordination of the flow of information to District Outstations
* Overall management of the Department of Youth Brand positioning
* Provide Protocol and Etiquette Training to MYGA Management and staff
* Directing Proceedings at Ceremonies and Events at National Level and at MYGA

Speaker

Mr. Martin De Klerk Moatshe

Goverment of Botswana

Martin De Klerk Moatshe is a dad and Botswana public-sector professional whose career spans over 15 years across entrepreneurship, technology, business development and public service. Before entering public service, he built his career as an entrepreneur and award-winning technology innovator. He currently serves as Presidential Dashboard Expert / Chief Projects Performance Analyst in the Office of the President, supporting the monitoring and tracking of priority national projects, investor engagements and strategic project delivery.