Sara-Adelaide Odamtten 2026 Speakers

“For more than 22 years, I have helped businesses, investors and institutions unlock commercial opportunities across Africa, connecting capital, markets and partnerships that drive real economic growth.

Today, as Group Managing Director of CDT Group, based in Dubai, I lead a strategy and market advisory firm focused on the Africa–Gulf corridor. We help investors, corporates and governments turn cross-border interest into closed transactions through market intelligence, investment readiness support, and access to a network of investors and advisors across Africa and the GCC.

Before CDT, I was Head of International Business at Naseba Africa. There I led market access strategies, trade and investment initiatives, and cross-border business development programmes connecting African businesses with global markets.

Earlier, I spent more than six years leading Trade Services at the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce. I managed trade promotion, market intelligence, policy advocacy, capacity building, thought leadership and business support programmes for UK and Ghanaian companies, working closely with government agencies, development partners and multinational organisations to strengthen bilateral trade and promote an enabling business environment.

My career began with more than a decade in banking, across trade finance, corporate banking and risk management. That foundation gives me a rare ability to bridge finance, investment and commercial growth.

What drives me most is building platforms that help African businesses scale globally, attract investment and compete confidently in international markets, and that make the Gulf a natural partner in that growth.

I hold an Executive MBA from Lancaster University. If you’re a business leader, investor, policymaker or development organisation working on trade and investment between Africa and the Gulf, I’d welcome the connection.”