Previously held positions as Founder and CEO of CAMEC PLC, a cobalt and copper producer in the DRC, that sold to ENRC for Billion $US in 2010. He served as the Founder and CEO of African Platinum PLC, that aggregated 100 million ounces down dip of Lonmin, that sold to Impala Platinum for $900mm. He additionally served as the founder of Central African Gold Ltd, the main asset of B@ gold in Mali, that sold to new Dawn for $300mm. He is the co-founder and CEO of Agriterra a Mozambique agricultural company producing corn flower, animal feed and ranching that exited to Zimbabwe group. He served as the Founder and majority shareholder and advisor to Contango Holdings PLC, that concluded a royalty contract with a Chinese state-owned company.
Third-generation in DRC Congo with over 40 years of experience in mining and rail logistics development across the DRC, Zimbabwe, and Southern Africa. He currently serves as Managing Director and shareholder in several companies, Godwin Trading SARL, Bulongo Logistique SARL, African Speciality Metal SARL, President of Congo Investment Sas, First Continental Chain Sarl (Rail Logistics Provider) and Luvua Ressources SARL. Over the course of his career, he has secured numerous world class deposits.
Professionally registered geologist; over 45 years of experience in Africa including DRC, Mali, Ethiopia, Angola, Zambia, Namibia across numerous commodities including copper, gold, manganese, iron ore, coal, etc.
Senior Geologist and mine manager with over 15 years experience copper exploration in DRC; QA/QC protocols, complex geological and hydrological databases, oversight 200 personnel
Mr. Kessler has over 25 years of experience on Wall Street, starting his career in Investment Research at Goldman Sachs. Mr. Kessler had been responsible for substantial advisory, operational and capital raise for the benefit of Africa, including numerous landmark transactions on the African continent, having dedicated his entire career to project development in Africa, and commodities. He is a member of the numerous board appointments, both private sector, NGO and philanthropic. Amongst other landmark transactions, Mr Kessler is responsible for the creation, build, and operation of the first publicly traded African Food Security company on the NASDAQ stock exchange in the United States, a landmark transaction in transforming a greenfield project into the first of its kind public traded entity. By leveraging innovation and strengthening international cooperation, the private and public sectors, Mr Kessler is committed to delivering lasting, transformative impact on development across Africa. Mr. Kessler holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania (Cum Laude) and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Jean Bosco Kanku Kalumbu, Director
Jean Bosco Kanku Kalumbu is a multidimensional leader with extensive experience in international pastoral leadership, humanitarian diplomacy, strategic lobbying, and executive management within the mining sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Recognized for the ability to mobilize communities, cultivate international partnerships, and spearhead high-impact projects across Africa and Europe. Expertise in organizational management, conflict resolution, territorial governance, and network mobilization. His numerous achievements within the DRC include the establishment of an influential pastoral community bridging Europe and Africa; the successful advocacy for development projects in Central Kasai; the implementation of humanitarian programs impacting thousands of people; the leadership of major mining operations for over 15 years; as well as the creation of strategic networks uniting the religious, humanitarian, public, and private sectors. He has served most recently as the Founder & Senior Pastor of La Source du Salut Church, Brussels, as well as Humanitarian Ambassador of the DRC representing the humanitarian priorities of rural areas to national and international institutions, overseeing key programs including agro-pastoral development, installation of drinking water wells, and youth employment initiatives.
Ric Prado, Director
Enrique "Ric" Prado is a paramilitary, counterterrorism, and special / clandestine operations specialist. Ric is a twenty-four-year veteran of the CIA, where he served as an operations officer in six overseas posts. He was deputy chief of station and "Plank Owner" of the original bin Ladin Task Force/Issues Station under senior analyst, Michael Scheuer, as well as chief of station in a hostile country. Ric also served as chief of operations in the CIA's Counterterrorist Center (CTC) during the September 11th attacks, where he helped coordinate CIA/CTC's special operations activities with the National Security Council and FBI, as well as with elite U.S. military representatives from Delta Force and SEAL-Team Six, then detailed to CIA/CTC. He retired as a Senior Intel Service-2, a major general rank equivalent within the CIA. He received the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal (the highest award given to a retiring operations officer), and the George Bush Medal for Excellence in Counterterrorism, among others. Ric's memoir "Black Ops: The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior" is now a national Best Seller.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.