Born and raised in Kinshasa, Jessica Houthoofd represents a new generation of African entrepreneurs operating at the intersection, of cultures, markets, and opportunities. Early on, she developed a strong sense of adaptability and a deep understanding of people and environments. Her journey then took her to Europe, where she built over a decade of experience across demanding sectors including banking, retail, and hospitality. Working with major organizations such as ING Belgium and Carrefour, she distinguished herself through
strong commercial performance, leadership, and her ability to deliver results in highly competitive environments.

Beyond performance, a vision emerged – to build, structure and create impact.
Driven by the entrepreneurial mindset, Jessica made the strategic decision to return to the Democratic Republic of Congo to contribute to high-potential development opportunities. She co-founded a company focused on introducing innovative solutions, particularly in soil stabilization – partner with AggreBind – a critical challenge for infrastructure and economic growth.

In her role, she leads business development, driven strategic partnerships, and negotiates key agreements, positioning the company at the forefront of an evolving market. Her strength lies in combining international standards with deep local insight, enabling her to bridge the gap between investors, institutions, and private sector players.
Multilingual and results-driven, Jessica Houthoofd is recognized for her ability to turn ideas into concrete ventures – and ventures into sustainable opportunities. Today, she is driven by a clear ambition : to contribute to building impactful, scalable solutions that support Africa’s long-term development.

Sessions

Session IV

Intelligent Futures: Women & Allies Shaping AI, Longevity and Emerging Technologies

15:30 – 16:30