James ObarowskiModerator

James Obarowski is a seasoned entrepreneur and business leader with nearly two decades of experience driving innovation and operational excellence across Africa. As Group President and Co-Founder of Zembo Electric Motorcycles, he is at the forefront of Africa’s clean mobility revolution—building a scalable, sustainable e-mobility ecosystem for commercial two-wheel riders.

Since joining Zembo in 2023 and taking on the Group President role in early 2025, James has overseen exponential growth, including the launch of Zembo’s flagship Thunder electric motorcycle and the rapid expansion of its battery-swap network. Under his leadership, Zembo has enabled riders to cover over 1 million kilometres in a single month, while significantly reducing carbon emissions and improving rider livelihoods.

Before Zembo, James held senior leadership roles with organisations such as TechnoServe, Coca-Cola, and Pula Advisors, working across countries including Burkina Faso, Kenya, Uganda, Benin, and Haiti. His expertise spans product development, supply chain strategy, agro-industrial systems, and technology-enabled services.

James holds an MBA from IE Business School and is an alumnus of McKinsey & Company’s Black Executive Leadership Program. Fluent in English and French, he brings a global perspective and a deep commitment to inclusive, climate-smart development in Africa.