Bayo Adedeji is a dynamic business leader and entrepreneur, best known as the Group CEO of Wakanow, one of Africa’s leading online travel companies. Under his leadership, Wakanow has expanded its operations to multiple African countries, the UK, and the UAE, offering a seamless platform for booking flights, hotels, and holiday packages, along with unique features like “Pay Small Small,” which allows travelers to spread travel costs over time. Wakanow also provides corporate travel solutions and innovative travel experiences through its subsidiaries.
Before joining Wakanow, Bayo had an impressive career in finance and retail, serving as a Senior Finance Manager at Amazon and holding leadership roles at Walmart and PetSmart. He is also a serial entrepreneur, founding Dundu Nation, a food truck business specializing in local delicacies, and Wave Beach Lagos, a leisure destination.
Bayo is recognized for his customer-centric approach, innovation, and strategic vision, which have transformed the travel landscape in Africa. He emphasizes continual learning, adaptability, and empathy in leadership and is deeply committed to driving positive change in the industries he engages with.
Sessions
March 12, Wednesday
Venue: Innovation City Cape Town
3.00PM – 5.00PM
Next Generation Leaders Roundtable (By Invite Only)
An intimate, sharing session for under-35 rising stars of travel to meet and learn from current generation travel leaders. How will the next generation of travel evolve? What changed mindsets and new skills will it require? What will it demand from professionals who have chosen to make travel their life’s calling? Learn valuable lessons and pick up useful insights so you can take your career in travel to new heights.
This by-invite session will include panel discussions with global and local travel leaders on how they have navigated their careers and the opportunities they see in the industry for young talent.
It will also include coaching circles where attendees can learn at a more personal level from our coaches, as well as reverse mentoring where travel leaders can learn from the next generation attendees.
Speakers/Coaches:
Maija de Rijk-Uys, Managing Director, Go2Africa
Bayo Adedeji, Group Chief Executive Officer, Wakanow
Velma Corcoran, Regional Lead, Middle East and Africa Airbnb
Liezl Gericke, Head of International, Middle East, Africa & South Asia, Virgin Airways
March 13, Thursday
Venue: Innovation City Cape Town
9.45AM – 10.15AM
Africa Travel: Leapfrogging Into The Next Generation
Every business has to find its own groove in a fragmented, fluid market and make their bets on the future. We speak to the different travel models and find out what they are betting on and how they are planning for the future? Where are the opportunities in the new age?
Speakers:
Andy Hedley, CEO, Travelstart
Albert Fernando, CEO, Travelwings
Euan McNeil, Managing Director, Flight Centre (South Africa)
Bayo Adedeji, Group Chief Executive Officer, Wakanow
Moderator: Yeoh Siew Hoon, Founder, WiT