THE TEAM
Meet The Team
Michael W Nicholson, PhD
Country Director, South Africa – AfriqueU
Michael Nicholson is an economist, former U.S. diplomat, and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience bridging international policy, economic strategy, and emerging markets.
As AfriqueU’s South Africa Country Director, he leads partnerships with clubs, federations, universities, and corporate sponsors to expand educational and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities for South African athletes. South Africa has massive potential in basketball, and AfriqueU is excited to catalyze the whole endeavor from grassroots courts to welcoming world championship clubs back home for the celebration.
Janet Cherono
Executive Administrator, AfriqueU Nairobi, Kenya
Janet Cherono is an accomplished executive administrator with over 15 years of experience supporting high-level leadership across government, private sector, and international development.
At AfriqueU, she anchors cross-continental operations by managing executive coordination, streamlining systems, and ensuring excellence across the organization’s multi-country network.
Prior to joining AfriqueU, Janet served with distinction at USAID Kenya and East Africa, the Prosper Africa Executive Secretariat in Washington DC, and Power Africa in South Africa. Based in Nairobi, Janet is passionate about building institutions that connect local talent with global opportunity. She brings a steady hand and visionary mindset to AfriqueU’s mission of bridging Africa and America through basketball and education.
Kobby Addai
CIO & Acting Ghana Country Director
Kobby Addai is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Acting Country Director for Ghana at AfriqueU. He is also the Founder and CEO of Noldith, a technology consulting firm specializing in digital transformation for businesses.
In his dual role at AfriqueU, Kobby leads the organization’s technology strategy and oversees both global operations and country-specific activities in Ghana, including stakeholder engagement and institutional partnerships.
A former U.S. diplomat with over two decades of experience in enterprise IT, Kobby brings a unique blend of expertise in technology, international relations, public service, and strategic collaboration. His background enables him to drive impactful cross-border partnerships and socially driven innovation initiatives across the continent.
Kobby is deeply committed to youth empowerment and leadership development in Africa. Outside of work, he is an avid golfer and actively supports programs that use sports, mentorship, and technology to create opportunities for the next generation of African leaders.
Jean Pierre Kamanzi
Country Director, Rwanda – AfriqueU
Jean Pierre Kamanzi is a development strategist, former national athlete, and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience bridging rural economic development, agribusiness strategy, and youth empowerment across emerging markets.
As AfriqueU’s Country Director for Rwanda, he leads partnerships with clubs, federations, universities, and corporate sponsors to expand educational and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities for Rwandan athletes.
Having proudly represented Rwanda in the national karate team for over ten years and benefiting from sports scholarships himself, Kamanzi brings a personal and professional passion for creating access and equity through sport. Rwanda is a rising force in African athletics, and AfriqueU is honoured to be building the pipeline from grassroots talent to global opportunity under his leadership.
Nilton Zandamela
Country Director, Mozambique – AfriqueU
Nilton Zandamela is an economic development professional with deep experience in policy, youth empowerment, and project design. He holds a degree in Economics and International Trade from Jilian University and a post-graduate certificate in Project Management from the Instituto Superior de Gestão.
He recently served as a Policy Analyst in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where he supported strategic initiatives advancing inclusive growth. Before that, he worked with World Food Program Mozambique, designing programs that promote entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for youth and women.
Zandamela brings a lifelong passion for basketball to his role both as a fan and player. His leadership will help position Mozambique as a vital hub in AfriqueU’s cross-continental basketball and education platform.
Johara Hall
Co-Country Representative, Morocco – AfriqueU
Johara Hall brings over a decade of experience leading investment and trade initiatives across Africa, most recently as Portfolio Director at DAI for the Africa Trade and Investment Activity. A trilingual strategist fluent in English, French, and Arabic, she is known for her technical rigor, team leadership, and ability to turn complex projects into high-impact, high-ROI successes.
At AfriqueU, Johara leads engagement with Moroccan stakeholders, bridging public and private partnerships to unlock cross-border opportunity through sport and education.
Stephen Berlinguette
Co-Country Representative, Morocco – AfriqueU
Stephen Berlinguette has over 20 years of experience bridging the private sector and government, directing major U.S. foreign assistance portfolios and building partnerships with corporates and higher education institutions across multiple emerging markets in Africa and Asia.
As General Development Office Director at USAID/Morocco, he led a $115 million portfolio in economic growth, education, and governance, working closely with Moroccan government leaders and civil society to advance inclusive development and facilitate private investment.
At AfriqueU, Stephen steers the company’s country strategy, anchoring our presence in Morocco and driving business development by integrating basketball, education, and entrepreneurship into a dynamic engine of opportunity for Morocco’s business community guided by the same spirit of teamwork, integrity, and social impact that placed Boston Celtic Bill Russell virtually alone atop the NBA pantheon.
Accepting EOIs
Country Director, Kenya – AfriqueU
Leading AfriqueU’s work in Kenya, the Country Director builds partnerships with clubs, academies, and universities, while driving athlete development and education pathways.
