Country & Regional Directors

D. 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.

D. 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.

D. 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.

Mr. Kenneth Ogutu Aroka
Head of Region – East Africa.
Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Kenneth oversees the Group’s strategic initiatives, partnerships, and operations throughout the EAC region. His role ensures alignment with regional priorities and enhances ZAEL’s impact across East Africa.

Ms. Joëlle Mbamba Kona
Legal & Compliance Officer
Joëlle leads the Group’s legal advisory and compliance efforts in the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), ensuring regulatory alignment and robust legal frameworks across ZAEL’s operations in the country.

Mr. Isaac Chizungu Naka
Director – Central, Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)
Isaac leads the regional development agenda across Central and Eastern Africa. He also serves as Acting CEO – Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), coordinating ZAEL’s domestic strategy and governance.

Mr. Papy Shako Manya
Director – Public Engagement & Strategic Relations
As Director of Public Engagement & Strategic Relations, Mr. Papy Shako Manya leads ZAEL Group’s public and institutional relations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He is responsible for shaping and managing the Group’s external image, fostering key relationships with public institutions, and ensuring strategic visibility across national platforms. His role is essential in upholding the Group’s influence and advancing its mission in the region.

Alain Zihalirwa Munguakonkwa
Senior Energy Advisor – External Consultant
A highly regarded expert affiliated with the DRC’s Ministry of Electricity and Hydraulic Resources, Alain serves as a permanent external consultant to ZAEL Group on energy and infrastructure matters.