Managing Director ADCA
Paul-Francois Cattier (Venture Partner Energy Access Venture Africa)

As VP Economic Development, Paul-Francois Cattier focuses on off-grid energy, the water grid and data centers. In the past, he was Schneider Electric President of French speaking Africa & Islands, covering over 60 countries.
Prior to Schneider Electric, he held different positions in sales and general management functions in companies like Alcatel, Philips, Digital Equipment Corporation, Cabletron & Anixter.
Paul-François is also Founder and former President of ADCA (Africa Data Center Association), and Founding Member of Club Abidjan Ville Durable (Abidjan Smart City club).

Administrator ADCA
Angela Karanja

Angela is a financial management specialist with over 15 years experience in the development and relief sector. She has successfully managed several projects funded by donors and government agencies from Africa, Europe and USA.

Chairman
Dr. Ayotunde Coker (CEO Open Access Data Centres)

Dr Ayotunde Coker is one of the leading players in the development of the data centre industry in Africa and is the Chairperson of an influential industry group, the Africa Data Centres Association. Before joining OADC as Chief Executive Officer, Dr Coker led Rack Centre to becoming a household name in Nigeria and a leading brand in Africa, with global recognition and numerous prestigious international awards. Throughout a distinguished international career as a technology and business leader, Dr Coker has held senior positions in finance, energy, management consulting and U.K Government. His achievements have been recognised by numerous awards, including the Distinguished Manufacturing Alumni Awards (Cranfield Institute of Technology) 2020, and in the same year, he was recognised as one of the Global Top 30 Edge Computing Leaders by Data Economy Magazine.

Secretary General
Nikki Blake (Business Development Manager for Africa Bergvik)

Nikki Blake is an experienced data centre professional with a passion for innovation and technology. She works at Bergvik Southern Africa as the Business Development Manager for Africa and is a member of the women in Technology Forum. With over a decade of industry experience, Nikki has worked on a range of complex projects, from designing within the white space in date centres to implementing efficient and sustainable operational practices. She is skilled in project management, creating opportunities and vendor management. Nikki is known for her ability to balance technical requirements with business needs and is committed to delivering high-quality solutions that meet her clients’ needs. She is actively involved in promoting diversity and inclusion in the technology industry.

Treasurer
Timi Fadeyi (Head of Data Center Services Galaxy Backbone)

Timi Fadeyi is Head of data center hosting and infrastructure services at Galaxy Backbone. Timi is an IT professional with more than two decades of hands-on experience, knowledge and expertise of leading-edge infrastructures and emerging technologies across various multi-national organizations. He has a track record of excellence and able to drive changes within organizations.

Board Member
Wouter van Hulten (CEO PAIX Data Centres)

Wouter is the founder and CEO of PAIX data centres, a Pan African cloud and carrier neutral data centre operator. In 2018, PAIX completed its first African investment in RackAfrica, Ghana’s leading carrier-neutral data centre.
Before founding PAIX, Wouter worked for Interxion in Europe. Over the years, he was involved in various industry initiatives: the Euro-IX Association, the Swiss Internet Exchange, the France-IX and the launch of the Datacenters World Map. He was a Board Member of the European Data Centre Association, and co-founder of the ADCA.

Board Member
Patrice Tano (Managing Director Databridge)

Patrice Tano is Deputy Managing Director at Databridge West Africa. Patrice is an IT professional with a master’s degree in computer networks and telecommunications. He has more than 10 years of professional experience in various positions from Data Center Engineer to Deputy Managing Director.

Board Member
Fatoumata Sarr Dieng (CEO Orange Services Group)

Appointed CEO of the Orange Services Group, a pooling structure created in 2011 by Orange in Côte d’Ivoire, Ms. Fatoumata Sarr Dieng returns home, at Sonatel in 2018, as Head of International Operations. Ms. Fatoumata Sarr DIENG, a Telecom Engineer, has been CTO, subsequently for Sonatel and Orange France.
Fatou, per her colleagues is also a well-known field worker. She is endowed with exceptional entrepreneurial skills and flawless toughness. Thanks to her deep understanding of what is at stake, she is one of the greater architects of telcos pooling in Africa.

Board Member
Stephane Duproz (CEO Africa Data Centres)

Stephane Duproz is CEO at Africa Data Centres (ADC), where he oversees the commercial and operational development of the pan-African network of data centre facilities. As well as growing ADC’s customer base of local and international cloud providers, carriers and enterprises, Stephane manages the expansion of ADC’s network of data centres across the continent.
Stephane has also served as Chairman of the Board for the European Data Centre Association (EUDCA), and acted as Vice President Member of the French Data Centre Association (CESIT).

Board Member
Ing. Lawrence Nkala (CTO TelOne)

Ing. Lawrence Nkala is an accomplished ICT expert with over 20 years’ experience in Telecommunications/ICT business. Ing. Lawrence Nkala is a Board Member for Standard Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) and is also an alternate Director for West Indian Cable Company (WIOCC). Mr. Nkala has extensive experience in Telco strategy, network transformation and customer service. Lawrence is the TelOne’s Chief Technical Officer and he is also in charge of the Wholesale business. He is currently seized with deployment of datacenters across the country to provide solutions to governments, businesses and individuals in Zimbabwe and beyond.

Board Member
Faith Waithaka (Sales Lead East Africa Schneider Electric)

Faith Waithaka is an accomplished leader in the Data Centre Industry with over a decade of experience and thought leadership. She currently works for Schneider as Cloud and Service Provider Segment Sales Lead and is a passionate Board Member of the Africa Data Centers Association. As an Engineer and Sales professional, she has delivered the infrastructure that makes digital possible, driving growth in the data centre Industry having a distinguished career in companies like Schneider, Vertiv, Emerson Network Power, Flexenclosure and Ericsson. Faith is a Working Mother, STEM Fanatic, Functional Tinker and Environmental Conservation Advocate who is passionate about Sustainability in Digital Infrastructure.

Board Member
Gbenga Adegbiji (COO MDXi an Equinix Company)

A business executive with over twenty years of experience in Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure. His experience cuts across mobile & fixed networks, terrestrial & submarine optic fibre, power Infrastructure and Data Centres. Currently the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of MDXi, overseeing operations and strategic expansion of the data center business of MDXi (an Equinix Company) across West Africa. A thought leader in Data Centre and digital infrastructure deployment and operations in Africa who has espoused his thought leadership at different local and international data centre and digital infrastructure workshop and events. He holds an Engineering degree from the University of Lagos, an MBA alumnus of Alliance Manchester Business School (UK) and a strategy execution expert of the Harvard Business School.