Advancing Sustainability and NetZero Goals. Empowering Small-Scale Miners with Blockchain. Advocate for DeFi & Financial Equity

I have over 17 years of experience in IT leadership, software development, and digital transformation. I have managed complex projects and programs across various industries. My expertise lies in client relationship management, consulting and solutions delivery, risk management, leadership, and communication. I have a record of accomplishment of generating quantifiable success.

Currently, I am the CEO and founder of Axalio where I lead a team of seven building unique products to transform the finance industry by leveraging blockchain technology to empower underserved communities. 

During my tenure at Standard Bank Group, I led a team of four developers and eight support engineers. Together, we improved internal processes for key departments such as compliance, governance, legal, and fraud. Our efforts also led to increased revenues for the PBB retail sector within the bank. At another previous employer, I identified new revenue drivers and increased sales by over 180% in less than six months by deploying CRM solutions and integrating several ERPs with blue chip companies.

I have a hands-on leadership style, and I align sales processes with leading-edge technologies. I have a strong sense of leadership that guides each team member to reach their full potential, and I always align sales teams and developers and organize meetings to achieve buy-in on key directives.

Through decentralized finance and ESG-conscious solutions, I am unlocking the potential for better financial health and wealth creation for people in Africa and the world.

If you catch me outside of work, I'm an adventurous traveler - 35 countries and counting - and an avid lover of tennis!

Competencies: Software Development, Blockchain, DeFi, Web 3.0, Entrepreneurship, Customer Relations, Managing Teams, Strategic Partnerships, Business Strategy.

Feel free to connect with me to learn on LinkedIn or contact me directly on john@axalio.com or on Twitter (@JohnLombela) to learn more about Axalio, blockchain technology, or our mission to empower the underserved. I am always looking to grow my personal and professional network and share experiences.

John Lombela

Future Minerals Forum 2026 was a reality check in the best way.

After dozens of conversations in Riyadh, one thing is clear: the minerals industry is still running on trust gaps, spreadsheets, and slow money, exactly where real value leaks.

That’s why Axalio exists.

We’re building the infrastructure layer for transparent, compliant, production-linked mineral trade and financing, starting with gold and ASM. It’s hard, it’s unsexy, and very few are willing to build it end-to-end. But the demand is real, and the timing is now.

If we spoke at FMF, thank you. If we didn’t, and you’re serious about responsible sourcing, trade finance, or digitizing the supply chain, let’s connect.

Riyadh: message received. Axalio is on the right track. 🇸🇦

Joachim Emily Stacy Jason Lionel Dona Arisa Nancy Hassan Derrick Jason Arthur

#FMF2026 #tradefinance #supplychain #fintech #saudiarabia

Agoragroup 

Agora Group - Bridging Value 
Agora's mission is to facilitate international trade by connecting companies across continents and enabling access to markets and funds. More specifically, Agora is committed to facilitating the access of international companies to Arab and African markets through multiple platforms that allow direct connection to corporate buyers and investors from these regions.

Young Arab Leaders

Young Arab Leaders (YAL) is an independent membership network registered as a not-for-profit business group under the Dubai Chamber. YAL empowers the next generation of leaders in the Arab World by developing a strong network of Arab industry leaders who serve as mentors to young entrepreneurs, business delegates and university students.We’re building a powerful community of Arab Leaders which aims to create a positive impact on socio-economic challenges in the region such as unemployment and quality education.

Memeber 

Haykal Media

Haykal Media is a full-fledged media company specializing in print and online publishing, and content creation. The company started in 2003 with Aliqtisadi Magazine, and now runs Aliqtisadi.com, one of the Middle East's most successful platforms for Arabic ­language business news and information. It’s the publisher of the Arabic edition of Harvard Business Review both in print and online. The company is based in Abu Dhabi. 
I now head the Conferences and events division at Haykal Media. Nothing beats the experience of meeting people face-to-face to gain inspiration, to learn and to do business. At Haykal Media and powered by Hardvard Business Review, we curate events that stimulate the brain, spur creativity and facilitate meeting. Our conferences are major industry gatherings focusing on strategy, innovation and technology and our trade exhibitions are marketplaces for global business.

Vice President

Consulting - Freelance

Consulted businesses and governments in the GCC on Conferences and Business Intelligence. Helped companies set up their events divisions and assisted in the creation of business plans and models for a GCC based Events Management Academy

Freelance

MEED

MEED is a remarkable senior management media brand that encompasses a subscription website and magazine, more than 30 C-level executive conferences and summits hosted by MEED Events, the MEED Quality Awards for Projects and two high-value content businesses, MEED Projects and MEED Insight. MEED Projects is the Middle East's premium project tracking database and MEED Insight offers tailored research and in-depth analysis. Established in 1957, MEED, has been integral to delivering business information and news, intelligence and analysis on the Middle East economies and activities ever since.

Managing Director

Al Harithy Company for Exhibitions - ACE

Since July 2013, I have been leading one of the most well-established and largest Exhibitions and Conferences companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I lead the senior management team towards building on the long and stellar history of Al Harithy Company of Exhibitions and Conferences to reach new heights and achievements. I m focusing our efforts into expanding our existing exhibitions (especially into increasing international participation at these shows), improving our product delivery to exceed best practices in international markets, opening up new business units (conferences and event managements), and transforming ACE from a national to an international market leader by venturing out into new markets (Dubai, Morocco, Qatar, Hungary, etc).

IQPC

Established IQPC’s presence in Saudi Arabia. IQPC is one of the largest producers of conferences, exhibitions, summits, forums, workshops and corporate training modules in the world with over 3000 events conducted worldwide every year. In my role as General Manager, I hold complete P/L accountability for the Saudi Business and I am entrusted with forging strategic partnership with key government and provite sector entities. .

General Manager

Aura Events

I started Aura Events with my Partner in February 2005. Within few years, Aura Events has become one of the leading Congress organizers in the Middle East. I was in charge of the overall mangement of the company and was succesful in turning Aura into a company with a portolio of events that spans multiple industries and various geographical areas. We hosted events in the Tourism Industry, Security and Safety Industry, Health Care Industry, Financial Services Industry, Environment and Sustainability Industry, Disastor Management Industry, Airport and Seaport Industry and many other verticals. We have hosted exectuive congresses all over the world: In the Philippines, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Spain, Germany, Cyprus, South Africa and many other locations.

Managing Partner

naseba

As the Director of Business Development for Naseba in the Middle East, I set up the company’s office in Dubai, recruited the delegates business development team, the solution providers business development team and the sponsorship business development team. I trained and managed all sales, marketing and business development activities in the Middle East and was able to turn the Dubai office into the leading sales office for Naseba within 7 months.

Director of Business Development 	Naseba

Teleperformance Canada

Sales and CRM with Teleperformance Canada, I was responsible for all relationship management with our fortune 500 clients in the telecommunication, financial services, membership services, media, events and security services. I managed the overall operation of a 4000 employee state of the art call centre with overall responsibility of achieving KPI set by our clients. I negotiated with government and private organizations as potential clients and was responsible for developing Teleperformance’s client base into new market segments.

Regional Director

I help startups and growth-stage companies raise funds by connecting them with qualified investors.
 
I also connect companies looking to showcase their solutions with corporate buyers from the MENA region and Europe.
 
Throughout my career in conferences and exhibitions, I've worked with industry giants and key decision-makers from governmental entities, international organizations, regulators, banking and finance institutions, and many more.

During these years, my unique experience has led me to start and scale a conference production company with a unique business model.
 
At AgoraGroup, we believe that the conference and exhibition industry is broken. People are not getting the desired ROI out of their sponsorship money.
 With AgoraGroup, the road to success is straightforward.

Our exclusive, closed-door congresses ensure a shorter sales cycle and increased ROI. We help companies grow through pre-arranged, pre-scheduled 1-on-1 meetings between startups and investors, and solution providers and corporate buyers.
 
With a lifelong career dedicated to assisting startups and solution providers, I'm always ready to help the next business in need of life-changing opportunities.

taplio

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John Lombela

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