AgriFund Connect Summit – Meet our speakers (part 1)

In a move to unlock new pathways for agricultural growth and transformation, African Farming will host the first-ever AgriFund Connect Summit on Thursday, 6 November 2025 at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre.

Here are some of our esteemed speakers

Desry Lesele – Senior Manager: Agriculture Client Value Proposition at Nedbank

Desry is a chartered accountant with a specialisation in Strategic Client Value Proposition (CVP) and a deep understanding of emerging markets and strategic business penetration. He excels in lateral business strategy problem-solving and executing business strategic direction tasks with excellence. With eight years of experience in banking, he has led structured strategic transactions, forged strategic partnerships and guided new strategic projects for some of Africa’s largest banks, including sustainability and transformation initiatives.

Dr Langelihle Simela – Business Development Manager at Absa Agribusiness

Langa serves as a board member for Vinpro and Agbiz, and holds a PhD in Animal Science along with an MPhil in Development Finance. She is passionate about promoting inclusive agricultural transformation. In her current role at Absa, she focuses on policy liaison and works towards establishing inclusive financing options for the agricultural sector.

Mpumi Maesela – CEO of SE Holdings

Mpumi, CEO of SE Holdings, a 100% black-women-owned agribusiness, is driving the integration of finance, technology and sustainability in agriculture. She champions market access and funding for smallholder and emerging farmers, with a strong focus on women and youth inclusion. She holds a BCom in Accounting and a Higher Diploma in Taxation (Wits), and a master’s in Leadership and Strategy (IE Business School, Madrid). Under her leadership, SE Holdings has become a leading aggregator for major food manufacturers like Tiger Brands, advancing food security and rural economic transformation through inclusive, sustainable value-chain development.

Gene Likhanya – CEO and founder of Madimbo Agri Holdings and Fio Agri Group

Gene holds an NQF Level 6 qualification in Financial Planning and a diploma in Entrepreneurship. He built a thriving financial services business serving more than 20 000 policyholders before transitioning into agribusiness. A passionate advocate for agriculture, he is deeply committed to uplifting underserved communities and promoting sustainable farming. As a director of Macadamias South Africa and a recognised authority on agricultural innovation, Gene’s unwavering dedication to Africa’s agricultural future drives his mission to empower “agripreneurs” and position the continent as a global leader in food production.