Yann Gilbert

Vice President Africa, Amadeus

Yann Gilbert is a distinguished global executive with over two decades of experience in the travel and airline industry, renowned for his exceptional track record in enhancing profitability and driving market growth. As the Vice President for Africa at Amadeus, he leverages a deep understanding of the continent’s unique commercial landscape to scale innovative B2B payment systems and digital solutions. During his tenure as Managing Director for Nigeria and Ghana, Yann demonstrated transformative leadership, elevating EBITDA by 50% and increasing profitability by 20 points within just four years.

 

A recognized authority on corporate governance, risk, and international trade, Yann’s influence extends well beyond the corporate boardroom. He currently serves as the President of Eurocham Nigeria (European Chamber of Commerce) and holds board positions at both French Tech and the French Chamber of Commerce, where he champions cross-border innovation. An esteemed Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite Français, Yann’s career also includes pivotal roles at Air France KLM, where he specialized in operational efficiency and market share expansion. He holds dual Master’s degrees in International Business, underpinning his strategic expertise with a rigorous academic foundation.

Sessions

April 9, Thursday
Venue: Innovation City Cape Town  

 

OTAs: The Next Frontier

 

As we enter The Next 20, online travel agencies face a new frontier shaped by AI interfaces, shifting traveller trust, regional platform strength, and new paths to discovery and booking. Will OTAs become invisible infrastructure, intelligent trip partners, or powerful super-platforms? And as travellers gain more tools and control, how must intermediaries evolve to stay essential? This session brings together global and regional OTA leaders to examine where value will be created next – from product and payments to partnerships and localisation – and how competitive dynamics between global giants and homegrown champions will play out across emerging markets. Expect candid perspectives on what OTAs must reinvent, defend, and double down on in the next era of travel distribution.

 

Speakers:

Andy Hedley, CEO, Travelstart
Albert Fernando, CEO, Travelwings 

Bayo Adedeji, Group Chief Executive Officer, Wakanow

 

Moderator:

Yeoh Siew Hoon, Founder, WiT