meet our team

Deep knowledge combined with practical working experience as well as knowing the people that matter to you makes us a compelling choice. We come from places that are emergent we understand local cultures and we know the context because we have worked and lived the total emergent experience. Knowing what and when to do it comes from doing things that have not been done before and from solving problems or meeting challenges that are unique to the emergent world.
With over twenty-five years of experience, Asoka Ranaweera is known for his extensive knowledge of emerging markets. As a seasoned development economist, he has helped investors to plan and structure venture and trade opportunities throughout Africa and Asia. Having previously led complex investment projects internationally, Asoka has unparalleled understanding of project and trade finance across a wide range of sectors. Asoka studied in the United Kingdom where he obtained a B.A. in Development Economics and an M.A. in International Relations from the University of East Anglia. He also has a M.A. in International Transactions from George Mason University in Virginia. Asoka has significant experience living and working in Africa, Asia, and Europe, where he is well-regarded for his deep understanding of local economies.

Mr. Asoka Ranaweera

MANAGING PARTNER
Emerging Markets

Hellen manages and executes G2G projects throughout Anglophone Africa. Most recently she has served as a consultant and advisor to a number of youth and women centered initiatives across East Africa supporting the development of new programming and projects targeting entrepreneurs. Her roster of clients includes private sector, non-profits/NGOs, and government agencies across Africa including supporting U.S. federal agencies as they execute crisis communication training in Angola and Kenya for journalists and government officials. Hellen has a B.A. and a M.A in Political Science from the University of Texas at Arlington, in the U.S. She is based in Washington, D.C.

Ms. Hellen Fissihaie

MANAGING DIRECTOR
Anglophone Africa

With over twenty-five years of experience, Asoka Ranaweera is known for his extensive knowledge of emerging markets. As a seasoned development economist, he has helped investors to plan and structure venture and trade opportunities throughout Africa and Asia. Having previously led complex investment projects internationally, Asoka has unparalleled understanding of project and trade finance across a wide range of sectors. Asoka studied in the United Kingdom where he obtained a B.A. in Development Economics and an M.A. in International Relations from the University of East Anglia. He also has a M.A. in International Transactions from George Mason University in Virginia. Asoka has significant experience living and working in Africa, Asia, and Europe, where he is well-regarded for his deep understanding of local economies.

Mr. Asoka Ranaweera

MANAGING PARTNER
Emerging Markets

Hellen manages and executes G2G projects throughout Anglophone Africa. Most recently she has served as a consultant and advisor to a number of youth and women centered initiatives across East Africa supporting the development of new programming and projects targeting entrepreneurs. Her roster of clients includes private sector, non-profits/NGOs, and government agencies across Africa including supporting U.S. federal agencies as they execute crisis communication training in Angola and Kenya for journalists and government officials. Hellen has a B.A. and a M.A in Political Science from the University of Texas at Arlington, in the U.S. She is based in Washington, D.C.

Ms. Hellen Fissihaie

MANAGING DIRECTOR
Anglophone Africa

Peter manages and executes G2G projects throughout Africa with a special focus on Francophone Africa. He has had a long and distinguished career. Most recently he served as minister of natural resources in the government of the Seychelles (2012/15). He was also minister of investment, natural resources and industry between 2010/12. Peter held the position of executive director of the African Development Bank (AFDB) 2007/10. Between 2000/03 he became the first resident Ambassador from the Seychelles to South Africa. Peter has a B.A. and a M.A in development studies from the University of East Anglia in the U.K.He is based in Victoria in the Seychelles.

Mr. Peter Sinon

MANAGING PARTNER
Francophone Africa

Peter manages and executes G2G projects throughout Africa with a special focus on Francophone Africa. He has had a long and distinguished career. Most recently he served as minister of natural resources in the government of the Seychelles (2012/15). He was also minister of investment, natural resources and industry between 2010/12. Peter held the position of executive director of the African Development Bank (AFDB) 2007/10. Between 2000/03 he became the first resident Ambassador from the Seychelles to South Africa. Peter has a B.A. and a M.A in development studies from the University of East Anglia in the U.K.He is based in Victoria in the Seychelles.

Mr. Peter Sinon

MANAGING PARTNER
Francophone Africa

Michael is a highly strategic, global commercial operations leader with deep experience in the oil & gas and energy sectors. As the Chief Operating Officer at AOT Holdings Ltd., Michael administered $2.4B in credit lines for global operations and $800M equity during peak operations. At AOT Holdings Inc., Michael was the first ever COO promoted from within since the operation began in 1948 and the only American to be asked to serve in the Swiss corporate head office. He drove superior operations within 7 global offices spread across Asia, Europe, and North America. Michael's prior experience also includes but is not limited to working as as Crude Oil Commodity Trader with Cargill Energy Transportation & Metals, and as a Global Scheduling Supervisor with Koch Supply & Trading, LP. He graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Maritime Administration from Texas A&M University at Galveston, and a master’s degree in Public and Private Management from the University of Houston.

Mr. Mike Mansfield

SENIOR ADVISOR
Oil & Gas
Grid2Grid Energy

Serge leads G2G projects in Central Africa with which he is intimately familiar. Serge has worked throughout Africa as a transactional lawyer and brings specialized knowledge to his clients in a number of sectors, including mining, infrastructure, ICT and logistics to name a few. He is also the founder of a law firm and several other companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Serge is a graduate of the University of ULB in Brussels, Belgium. He holds a masters in law and an LLM in international law. Serge is based in Kinshasa, in the DRC.

Mr. Serge Nawej

GENERAL COUNSEL
Emerging Markets
Africa
Chen has managed inbound investments and trade projects in China on behalf of European companies and governments. And in recent years he has actively participated in coordinating numerous projects for leading Chinese agricultural, infrastructure and natural resource companies throughout Africa and Asia. Chen has worked for the embassies of the Netherlands and Sudan during which he gained a lot of experience as the Chinese economy opened up to the outside world and later when Chinese companies started to go global. He is an expert in understanding how Chinese companies and the government work, providing advice to many companies internationally. Chen graduated with a B.A. in English from South-West Normal University and he also has a diploma in Economy and Trade from Capital University in Beijing. He is based in Beijing.

Mr. Chen Gang

MANAGING PARTNER
China

Michael is a highly strategic, global commercial operations leader with deep experience in the oil & gas and energy sectors. As the Chief Operating Officer at AOT Holdings Ltd., Michael administered $2.4B in credit lines for global operations and $800M equity during peak operations. At AOT Holdings Inc., Michael was the first ever COO promoted from within since the operation began in 1948 and the only American to be asked to serve in the Swiss corporate head office. He drove superior operations within 7 global offices spread across Asia, Europe, and North America. Michael's prior experience also includes but is not limited to working as as Crude Oil Commodity Trader with Cargill Energy Transportation & Metals, and as a Global Scheduling Supervisor with Koch Supply & Trading, LP. He graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Maritime Administration from Texas A&M University at Galveston, and a master’s degree in Public and Private Management from the University of Houston.

Mr. Mike Mansfield

SENIOR ADVISOR
Oil & Gas
Grid2Grid Energy

Serge leads G2G projects in Central Africa with which he is intimately familiar. Serge has worked throughout Africa as a transactional lawyer and brings specialized knowledge to his clients in a number of sectors, including mining, infrastructure, ICT and logistics to name a few. He is also the founder of a law firm and several other companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Serge is a graduate of the University of ULB in Brussels, Belgium. He holds a masters in law and an LLM in international law. Serge is based in Kinshasa, in the DRC.

Mr. Serge Nawej

GENERAL COUNSEL
Emerging Markets
Africa
Chen has managed inbound investments and trade projects in China on behalf of European companies and governments. And in recent years he has actively participated in coordinating numerous projects for leading Chinese agricultural, infrastructure and natural resource companies throughout Africa and Asia. Chen has worked for the embassies of the Netherlands and Sudan during which he gained a lot of experience as the Chinese economy opened up to the outside world and later when Chinese companies started to go global. He is an expert in understanding how Chinese companies and the government work, providing advice to many companies internationally. Chen graduated with a B.A. in English from South-West Normal University and he also has a diploma in Economy and Trade from Capital University in Beijing. He is based in Beijing.

Mr. Chen Gang

MANAGING PARTNER
China

Cihan started his career at CCG Construction Contracting Group as the Finance Manager responsible from projects and investment financing. He assumed financial responsibility for various global construction projects like Prime Ministry Administrative Building of Republic of Kazakhstan, High Court Building of the Republic of Kazakhstan and High Speed Railway Infrastructure Works; Inönü – Eskişehir Section of Turkey. Cihan is a board member of Ceylan Holding a well known Turkish family owned company. Cihan holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business (The George Washington University – Washington D.C, U.S.), a master’s degree in Project Management (The George Washington University – Washington D.C, U.S.). He is based in Ankara.

Mr. Cihan Ceylan

MANAGING DIRECTOR
Turkey

Serge leads G2G projects in Central Africa with which he is intimately familiar. Serge has worked throughout Africa as a transactional lawyer and brings specialized knowledge to his clients in a number of sectors, including mining, infrastructure, ICT and logistics to name a few. He is also the founder of a law firm and several other companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Serge is a graduate of the University of ULB in Brussels, Belgium. He holds a masters in law and an LLM in international law. Serge is based in Kinshasa, in the DRC.

Mr. Iderbat Ariuna

MANAGING DIRECTOR
Mongolia

Mark is an international business professional with twenty-five years of accomplishments in the creation and management of successful trade, investment, technology transfer and entrepreneurship initiatives that benefit companies and communities worldwide. He served 20 years in senior positions at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business federation, including as Vice President for Asia, and Director of International Business Development. While at the Chamber, he served as CEO of the ASEAN-U.S. Business Council, Director of Export, and designed and managed business partnering initiatives with Thailand and Singapore, generating millions of dollars in new investment and trade. Van Fleet holds degrees from Princeton University and the University of Virginia. A former U.S. diplomat, he served on the staff of the U.S. Embassy in Thailand before joining the Chamber. Mark is based in West Lafayette Indiana.

Mr. Mark Van Fleet

MANAGING DIRECTOR
United States of America

Cihan started his career at CCG Construction Contracting Group as the Finance Manager responsible from projects and investment financing. He assumed financial responsibility for various global construction projects like Prime Ministry Administrative Building of Republic of Kazakhstan, High Court Building of the Republic of Kazakhstan and High Speed Railway Infrastructure Works; Inönü – Eskişehir Section of Turkey. Cihan is a board member of Ceylan Holding a well known Turkish family owned company. Cihan holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business (The George Washington University – Washington D.C, U.S.), a master’s degree in Project Management (The George Washington University – Washington D.C, U.S.). He is based in Ankara.

Mr. Cihan Ceylan

MANAGING DIRECTOR
Turkey

Serge leads G2G projects in Central Africa with which he is intimately familiar. Serge has worked throughout Africa as a transactional lawyer and brings specialized knowledge to his clients in a number of sectors, including mining, infrastructure, ICT and logistics to name a few. He is also the founder of a law firm and several other companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Serge is a graduate of the University of ULB in Brussels, Belgium. He holds a masters in law and an LLM in international law. Serge is based in Kinshasa, in the DRC.

Mr. Iderbat Ariuna

MANAGING DIRECTOR
Mongolia

Mark is an international business professional with twenty-five years of accomplishments in the creation and management of successful trade, investment, technology transfer and entrepreneurship initiatives that benefit companies and communities worldwide. He served 20 years in senior positions at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business federation, including as Vice President for Asia, and Director of International Business Development. While at the Chamber, he served as CEO of the ASEAN-U.S. Business Council, Director of Export, and designed and managed business partnering initiatives with Thailand and Singapore, generating millions of dollars in new investment and trade. Van Fleet holds degrees from Princeton University and the University of Virginia. A former U.S. diplomat, he served on the staff of the U.S. Embassy in Thailand before joining the Chamber. Mark is based in West Lafayette Indiana.

Mr. Mark Van Fleet

MANAGING DIRECTOR
United States of America

Simeon until recently served as the Consul General of Bulgaria in Chicago where he was responsible for overseeing 14 U.S. states dealing with a variety of issues including bilateral trade and investment. Prior to joining the ministry of foreign affairs of Bulgaria Simeon worked in the private sector with numerous foreign and Bulgarian companies. He has traded commodities, worked with shipping lines, sold real estate and served on the boards of companies. Upon returning to Sofia he co-founded a company which is dedicated to helping American companies access the Bulgarian and eastern and central European markets.

Mr. Simeon Stoilov

MANAGING DIRECTOR
Eastern and Central Europe

Bandamlak has been the Business Development Manager and Deputy Manager of Chemtex PLC, a marketing and distribution company specializing in agricultural inputs based in Ethiopia, since 2017. He oversees day to day operations at the company and takes on large projects with various institutes in Ethiopia in identifying and deploying the most suitable crop technology in the agricultural sector. He is currently a member of Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce & Sectoral Associations. He holds a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering (Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.) and a master's degree in International Business (Schiller International University, Paris Campus). He is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Mr. Bandamlak Yimenu

COUNTRY DIRECTOR
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Cheick is the founder of TANEX Corporation, a trade and investment advisory company. Mr. Traoré has broad-based experience in project financing, investment and trade. Assisting American and European businesses in identifying and taking advantage of business opportunities in Africa. He is also the founder of CARE Mali and has run for the presidency of the country. Cheick has a B.A in Business Administration from Howard University and a Master's of Science from Kennedy West. He is fluent in Bamanan, Malinké, French and the English languages.

Mr. Cheick Traore

COUNTRY DIRECTOR DIRECTOR
Bamako, Mali

Simeon until recently served as the Consul General of Bulgaria in Chicago where he was responsible for overseeing 14 U.S. states dealing with a variety of issues including bilateral trade and investment. Prior to joining the ministry of foreign affairs of Bulgaria Simeon worked in the private sector with numerous foreign and Bulgarian companies. He has traded commodities, worked with shipping lines, sold real estate and served on the boards of companies. Upon returning to Sofia he co-founded a company which is dedicated to helping American companies access the Bulgarian and eastern and central European markets.

Mr. Simeon Stoilov

MANAGING DIRECTOR
Eastern and Central Europe

Bandamlak has been the Business Development Manager and Deputy Manager of Chemtex PLC, a marketing and distribution company specializing in agricultural inputs based in Ethiopia, since 2017. He oversees day to day operations at the company and takes on large projects with various institutes in Ethiopia in identifying and deploying the most suitable crop technology in the agricultural sector. He is currently a member of Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce & Sectoral Associations. He holds a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering (Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.) and a master's degree in International Business (Schiller International University, Paris Campus). He is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Mr. Bandamlak Yimenu

COUNTRY DIRECTOR
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Cheick is the founder of TANEX Corporation, a trade and investment advisory company. Mr. Traoré has broad-based experience in project financing, investment and trade. Assisting American and European businesses in identifying and taking advantage of business opportunities in Africa. He is also the founder of CARE Mali and has run for the presidency of the country. Cheick has a B.A in Business Administration from Howard University and a Master's of Science from Kennedy West. He is fluent in Bamanan, Malinké, French and the English languages.

Mr. Cheick Traore

COUNTRY DIRECTOR DIRECTOR
Bamako, Mali

ADVISORY BOARD

Mr. Ladi Balogun
CO-CHAIR
Group Chief Executive
FCMB Group
Lagos, Nigeria
Mr. Mohammed Dewji
CO-CHAIR / CEO
METL

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Ms. Nana Anin-Amaoko
CO-CHAIR
CrowdReason

Accra, Ghana
Ms. Mobola Onibonoje
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
Africa Enterprise Challenge
Lagos, Nigeria
Ms. Dupe Olusola
MANAGING DIRECTOR / CEO
Transcorp Hotels
Lagos, Nigeria
Ms. Lillian Li
VICE PRESIDENT NORTH AMERICA
China Energy Reserve and Chemicals Group (CERCG)
Beijing, China
Mr. Alex Mbugua
CEO
QED Solutions
Nairobi, Kenya
Mr Rauf Diah
MANAGING PARTNER
Naurel Investments
Jakarta, Indonesia
Mr. Bright Simons
FOUNDER
Mpedigree
Accra, Ghana
Mr. Daniel Ben Yehuda

CEO
OM2 Ventures
Tel Aviv, Israel

Mr. Moses Adriko

PARTNER
MMAKs Associates
Kampala, Uganda

Mr. Alex Carraro

PRESIDENT
Ottimale Advisory
Boca Raton, FL & Florianopolis, Brazil

Mr. Priyanjith Weerasooria
DIRECTOR
Finco Group
Colombo, Sri Lanka

ADDRESS

1015 15th Street, NW
Suite 600
Washington D.C. 20005

PHONE

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