Recognition celebrates leaders shaping Africa’s infrastructure future as continent prepares for landmark delegation and summit in Ghana
Nicolas-Odilon HOUNKPATI, Co-Founder & CEO of NAKA and President of FRESHYX at NAKA / FRESHYX , has been nominated for inclusion in the inaugural Powered By Africa Top 100 Most Influential Africans in Infrastructure, a pan-African recognition celebrating the individuals transforming the continent through infrastructure leadership, innovation, investment and delivery.
The final Top 100 list will be officially announced in September 2026, with those recognised invited to join a high-level international delegation in Accra, Ghana, from 17th to 21st November 2026.
The programme will include a flagship Infrastructure and Investment Conference on 19th November, bringing together policymakers, investors, financiers, business leaders and development partners, followed by an invitation-only Powered By Africa Gala on 20th November, held to coincide with United Nations Africa Industrialization Day.
The timing is deliberate. Established by the Organization of African Unity in 1989 and subsequently proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, Africa Industrialization Day is observed every year on 20th November to mobilise international commitment towards Africa’s industrialisation, economic transformation and sustainable development. It serves as a reminder that industrial growth depends upon strong infrastructure, effective institutions and long-term investment.
Why this recognition matters
Infrastructure will determine whether Africa realises the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), rapid urbanisation, population growth and the continent’s expanding digital economy.
Africa faces one of the world’s largest infrastructure investment challenges. According to the African Development Bank, the continent requires between US$181 billion and US$221 billion in infrastructure investment every year between 2023 and 2030 to meet demand across transport, energy, water, housing, logistics and digital connectivity.
Despite progress, annual financing continues to fall tens of billions of dollars short, leaving an infrastructure funding gap estimated at between US$68 billion and US$108 billion every year.
Closing this gap is about far more than building roads and bridges. It is fundamental to unlocking industrialisation, accelerating intra-African trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), expanding access to reliable electricity for hundreds of millions of people, improving food security, creating jobs for the world’s youngest population and positioning Africa as one of the defining growth markets of the twenty-first century.
The Powered By Africa Infrastructure 100 List has been created to recognise the leaders helping close that gap, not simply through project delivery, but through policy, investment, engineering, innovation, financing, governance and public service.
By highlighting excellence across the continent and within the global African diaspora, the campaign aims to elevate role models, encourage collaboration and demonstrate to international investors that Africa possesses the leadership needed to deliver transformational infrastructure.
About Powered By Africa
Powered By Africa is a global campaign and convening platform dedicated to reshaping how the world understands Africa’s contribution to the global economy.
Founded by Samuel Kasumu, former Special Adviser to the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the campaign promotes a simple but powerful message: Africa is not a continent of future potential. It is already powering the world through its people, innovation, enterprise, natural resources, technology and infrastructure. The campaign brings together business leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors and changemakers to showcase Africa’s growing influence across the global economy.
Powered By Africa is supported by a distinguished Campaign Board and Patrons drawn from business, government, civil society and international leadership, providing strategic guidance and helping champion a more confident and globally recognised narrative for Africa.
Quote from Samuel Kasumu, Campaign Director
« Infrastructure is ultimately about people. Every road, port, bridge, power network, digital connection and logistics corridor creates opportunities for businesses to grow, communities to prosper and nations to compete globally. The Powered By Africa Top 100 Most Influential Africans in Infrastructure celebrates the individuals whose leadership is helping build the foundations of Africa’s next chapter. By recognising excellence, we hope to inspire greater investment, stronger partnerships and renewed confidence in the extraordinary talent driving transformation across the continent. »
Samuel Kasumu
Campaign Director, Powered By Africa
Former Special Adviser to the UK Prime Minister
Nominee Quote
I am deeply honoured by this nomination and grateful to Powered By Africa for recognising a journey that has always been rooted in building for Africa, from strengthening communities and ecosystems to developing practical solutions at the intersection of technology, climate and mobility. I believe Africa’s infrastructure future will depend not only on physical assets, but also on the digital systems, innovative businesses and partnerships that make them more accessible, efficient and sustainable. This recognition is therefore both an honour and a responsibility. I look forward to contributing to a stronger African infrastructure ecosystem and to working with fellow leaders to build solutions that create lasting value across the continent.
About Nicolas-Odilon HOUNKPATI
Nicolas-Odilon HOUNKPATI is a Togolese entrepreneur, environmental and digital innovation leader, and Co-Founder & CEO of NAKA, a digital mobility and logistics platform focused on lower-carbon transport. He also serves as President of FRESHYX, an organisation working at the intersection of technology and environmental action.
Since 2016, HOUNKPATI has built leadership experience across multiple African markets, including Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Malawi and Egypt, working across entrepreneurship, partnerships, communication, youth development and ecosystem building.
Through FRESHYX and NAKA, he has developed initiatives connecting environmental action, digital innovation and sustainable mobility. NAKA has progressed from concept to MVP and field deployment, combining digital mobility coordination, electric mobility and carbon-impact measurement.
His work has received recognition through programmes and initiatives including TotalEnergies Startupper, CATAL1.5T, IYBA-SEED, GITEX AFRICA, OIF CAP Innovation and AfricArena. His broader ambition is to contribute to African cities and economies through infrastructure that is more connected, accessible, sustainable and locally built.
About Powered By Africa
Powered By Africa is a global campaign dedicated to changing the narrative around Africa’s economic future by showcasing excellence in infrastructure, investment, innovation, entrepreneurship, manufacturing, technology and global business.
Through international convenings, documentary storytelling, research and strategic partnerships, Powered By Africa seeks to position Africa as one of the defining growth opportunities of the twenty-first century.
