meet the Team

Co-directors

Cheukai Makari

finance and sponsorships

Cheukai Makari, a Sierra Leonean-Zimbabwean Master’s student in Local Economic Development, is Co-Director of Finance and Sponsorships for the 2025 LSE Africa Summit. Focused on development economics and sustainable growth, she aims to elevate Africa’s global narrative, secure key partnerships, and inspire impactful change through leadership and collaboration.

Emily pender

speakers and content

Emily, a Master's student at LSE with a research background, specializes in African industrial and trade policy, particularly in conflict-affected areas. A proud South African, she serves as Co-Director of Speakers and Content for the 2025 LSE Africa Summit.

Lisa mAEMA

media and communications

Lisa Maema, a Master’s student in Marketing at LSE, is passionate about advancing Africa’s narratives and reshaping global perspectives. As Co-Director of Media and Communications for the 2025 LSE Africa Summit, she leverages her advertising and marketing background to promote summit themes and address social issues impacting African communities.

Lina Kallel

logistics

Lina Kallel, a Tunisian MSc student in Development Studies, is passionate about Africa. She has published research on conflict in the African Sahel and wrote her Bachelor's thesis on the socio-economic impacts of green bonds on the continent. Currently a researcher in development finance at a France-based think tank, Lina focuses on African countries. She is also the Co-Director of Logistics for the 2025 LSE Africa Summit.