Executive Leadership

Gabriel Zagabe is the Founder and Executive Chairman of ZAEL Group, a multinational investment and advisory firm headquartered in Madrid, with a presence across four continents. Born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, he brings over 20 years of international experience in finance, sustainable resource management, and global business development.

Educated in Spain, Gabriel holds advanced degrees in Business Administration, Political Science, and International Business from leading institutions such as Carlos III University, the Complutense University of Madrid, and the University of Alcalá. He began his career with global firms including Citibank and British Land PLC, where he developed expertise in banking, corporate strategy, and investment advisory.

In 2008, during the global financial crisis, Gabriel founded ZAEL Group to connect emerging markets with global capital, technology, and opportunities. Under his leadership, the Group has evolved into a key platform for investment and innovation, with operations in finance, logistics, telecommunications, and sustainable development—particularly in Africa.

Gabriel’s leadership is shaped by a legacy of service and resilience. He is the grandson of WWII veteran Kalembera Mukongorhe and the nephew of Archbishop Christophe Munzihirwa, a revered figure in the DRC. In 2016, he founded the “Initiative for the Congolese DREAM,” a civic movement focused on youth empowerment and good governance.

With unwavering commitment to integrity, transformation, and cross-continental collaboration, Gabriel continues to drive ZAEL Group forward as a catalyst for sustainable and inclusive growth.

“Adversity is to me what the battlefield is to the warhorse, or the storm to the eagle — a place to rise.”
Gabriel Zagabe

Eugenio Marti Martinez

Head Of Development

Responsible for driving ZAEL Group’s strategic growth initiatives across regions and sectors. This executive leads project origination, structuring, and execution—focusing on scalable, high-impact opportunities aligned with the Group’s mission in emerging and frontier markets. Acting as a bridge between vision and implementation, the role ensures that development pipelines are robust, sustainable, and responsive to both market dynamics and institutional goals.

Core Responsibilities:

Identify and develop new business opportunities, investment projects, and strategic partnerships across targeted regions.

Design and oversee development strategies for sectoral expansion (e.g., infrastructure, logistics, energy, tech, and finance).

Coordinate feasibility studies, project structuring, and funding models in collaboration with internal teams and external stakeholders.

Build and maintain high-level relationships with governments, development agencies, financial institutions, and private partners.

Lead cross-functional teams to bring projects from concept to execution, ensuring alignment with ESG principles and long-term value creation.

Monitor performance, impact, and risk across the development portfolio, providing strategic insights to the executive board.

Key Attributes:

Strong strategic thinking and analytical capability with a focus on sustainable growth.

Deep understanding of investment ecosystems in emerging markets.

Proven track record in development finance, project management, or public-private partnerships.

Ability to navigate complex institutional and stakeholder environments.

Visionary leadership with a hands-on, results-driven approach.

Carlos Marty López

Operating Officer (OO)

The Chief Operating Officer oversees the Group’s day-to-day operations, ensuring optimal performance across all subsidiaries and business units. As a key member of the executive team, the COO translates strategic objectives into actionable operational plans, aligning execution with the Group’s growth, efficiency, and impact goals across regions.

Core Responsibilities:

Lead and coordinate the operational activities of the Group, ensuring seamless integration across sectors (finance, logistics, development, tech, etc.).

Design and implement operational systems, structures, and processes that drive efficiency, scalability, and quality.

Monitor performance metrics and KPIs to ensure targets are met and continuously improved.

Support expansion initiatives by overseeing new market entries and regional operations.

Collaborate closely with the CEO and executive team to align operations with strategic priorities and long-term vision.

Oversee risk management, compliance, and operational due diligence across all jurisdictions.

Key Attributes:

Proven leadership in complex, multi-sector environments.

Strong analytical and process-optimization skills.

Ability to lead cross-functional teams across diverse geographies.

Deep understanding of emerging markets and operational realities on the ground.

Results-driven, pragmatic, and execution-focused mindset.

Pepe García Utrilla

Legal & International Affairs Officer (LIAO)

General Counsel & Head of International Affairs.

Key executive responsible for overseeing all legal, regulatory, and institutional matters across ZAEL Group’s global operations. This role ensures the Group’s full legal compliance, mitigates risks, and safeguards interests in diverse jurisdictions while cultivating strategic relationships with governments, international bodies, and regulatory authorities.

Core Responsibilities:

Provide strategic legal counsel to the CEO and executive leadership on corporate, contractual, and regulatory matters.

Lead the legal due diligence and structuring of international transactions, joint ventures, and investments.

Ensure compliance with multi-jurisdictional regulations, including anti-corruption, AML, ESG, and industry-specific laws.

Represent ZAEL Group in high-level negotiations and institutional partnerships.

Liaise with international organizations, government bodies, embassies, and legal entities in the regions where the Group operates.

Oversee dispute resolution, litigation, and intellectual property protection.

Supervise internal legal teams and external legal advisors globally.

Key Attributes:

Strong legal acumen in international law, trade, finance, and corporate governance.

Proven experience in cross-border legal environments and government relations.

Deep understanding of geopolitical, regulatory, and institutional frameworks in emerging markets.

High ethical standards, discretion, and strategic foresight.