Johannesburg, South Africa – The Pan-African Business Forum (PABF) has taken a major step forward in its continental vision with the appointment of two senior executives during a Special Annual General Board Meeting (SAGM) held in Joburg.
Following a unanimous decision, the Executive Committee endorsed the recommendations of PABF Board Chairman Dr. Ladislas Prosper Agbesi, marking a pivotal moment in the Forum’s strategic leadership realignment.
“We are pleased to announce the appointment of Noureddine Ayed as Senior Vice President – Head of Energy, and Claude Ibalanky as Senior Vice President – Head of Corporate Governance, Africa – Millennium Development Goals, Agenda 2063,” said Dr Agbesi.
Noureddine Ayed
Chairman of EAG Group | Honorary Consul | Industrial Expert
A seasoned industrialist and global business leader, Ayed is Chairman and Executive Director of the EAG Group of Companies, headquartered in Tunisia with a presence in over 30 countries.
A graduate in Electromechanical Engineering from Polytechnique University in Belgium, Ayed brings more than four decades of expertise in leading large-scale energy and infrastructure projects.
Since 2004, he has also served as the Honorary Consul of Malaysia to Tunisia, where his diplomatic efforts have supported critical humanitarian and governmental missions. He is recognised internationally for his leadership and philanthropy, receiving accolades from Malaysia, Italy, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Claude Ibalanky
Diplomat | Peace Framework Coordinator | Former Tech Executive
Ibalanky is a distinguished diplomat and national security figure from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He currently serves as the High Representative of the President and Coordinator of the National Oversight Mechanism for the Addis Abeba Peace Framework, tasked with fostering regional peace and addressing the destabilizing effects of armed conflict in eastern DRC.
Previously, he held executive positions at major tech firms like Hewlett-Packard and IBM. He holds three business qualifications from two of South Africa’s leading universities — a Master’s in Business and Commerce from the University of Pretoria, and a degree in Industrial Engineering from University of Johannesburg.
He is pursuing a PhD in Economic and Industrial Development at Xi’An Jiaotong University in China. His international experience and academic depth have earned him three honorary doctorates and widespread recognition as a youth mentor and advocate.
Charting a new course for Africa’s socio-economic renaissance
Their appointments form part of the Pan-African Business Forum’s broader mission to accelerate Africa’s development through visionary leadership and institutional reform. Established by Africans as a private-sector-driven initiative, the Forum aims to drive economic and social progress through practical, collaborative projects across the continent.
PABF operates through two main channels: policy advocacy and the establishment of the African Investment Fund. The Fund is designed to attract both African and international investment in vital sectors, including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and transportation, with the goal of enabling job creation, sustainable growth, and poverty reduction.
Governed by an 11-member Board of Trustees and aligned with international best practices, the Fund will only support projects that meet strict eligibility standards—including democratic governance, judicial independence, and a free press.
With Ayed overseeing energy initiatives and Ibalanky leading governance and development policy, the PABF onve again reinforces its commitment to building an inclusive, self-sustaining, and economically vibrant Africa.
