Our core founding team provides a unique mix of expertise, covering finance, international commodities trading, renewable energy and IT.

Founders

Olivier Castagné. French national, 58 years old. An accomplished French professional with a robust background in finance and strategy, complemented by a deep understanding of new technologies. He earned a European Master in Business Administration from ESCP (Paris, Oxford, and Berlin) and an MSc in New Technologies (engineering degree) from Arts et Métiers, two of France’s elite academic institutions. His professional journey began in investment banking and strategy consulting, with key positions at Deutsche Bank (London, San Francisco), West LB (London, Paris, Dusseldorf), PwC (London), and Bain & Co. (Paris). During this time, he delivered high-impact advice on diverse transactions, including a $500 million pan-European ISP consolidation and a $200 million convertible bond issuance. Driven by the significant opportunities in Africa, Olivier strategically refocused his career to West Africa. There, he founded and built a highly successful commodities trading enterprise, supplying critical products like cement, building materials, and fertilizers to the African market.
  
Enrico Mauri. Italian national, 60 years old. European Master in Business Administration from ESCP (Paris, Oxford and Berlin) and BA cum Laude in Economics for the University La Sapienza in Rome. Work experiences include investment banking experience, including M&A, at Credit Suisse First Boston, MC Securities and ING Barings. Founder and CEO of EMContent, a digital platform company which enabled the creation and maintenance of an information-rich database of all hotels and restaurants in Italy. General manager of the Italian subsidiary of a Dutch photovoltaic plants EPC contractor. Advisor to a renewable energy fund investing in renewable energy plants using different technologies, including photovoltaic, wind, hydroelectric and biomass. Developer of photovoltaic plants projects.

Other Team Members
 
Saber Asghari Sorkhin. Iranian, 41 years old. Mechanical Engineer with two decades of experience in cement factory maintenance and technical management. He excelled in roles covering project management, equipment installation, and comprehensive condition monitoring, including advanced techniques like vibration and oil analysis. Founder of a cement engineering and research firm, he’s a recognized innovator within the global cement industry, fostering connections with leading companies (Thyssenkrupp, FLSmidth). His expertise includes equipment design and selection, with current initiatives focused on robotic automation and renewable energy integration.
 
Ibrahim Sheriff. Sierra Leonan national, 37 years old. A Sierra Leonean national who holds the position of Country Manager for Sierra Leone at Gaia Resources, having been promoted to this role in 2023. A graduate of the West African Methodist Collegiate School of Freetown, Mr. Sheriff began his career as a Project Manager at the Youth Empowerment Strategy Organization (YESO). During his tenure at YESO, he was responsible for overseeing all youth sensitization and empowerment programs aimed at protecting against early marriage and drug abuse throughout Sierra Leone. Following a period at Ceres Africa, an agricultural development company, Ibrahim joined Gaia Resources, where he progressed through various roles before his current appointment.

Marie-Blanche Castagné. Franco-American, 24 years old. Dedicated to creating better urban futures. Holding a Master’s in “Governing the Large Metropolis” from Sciences Po and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Columbia University (where she earned Dean’s List honors), she brings a robust academic foundation to her work. Marie-Blanche’s professional journey spans urban governance, project coordination, and social policy across France and the U.S. She’s been instrumental in tangible projects, such as her work at SOLIHA Grand Paris, where she helped drive energy renovation initiatives for condominiums, managing everything from stakeholder engagement to public tender preparation. Her dedication to social impact is also clear from her co-authorship of a pioneering policy report on LGBT inclusion in urban planning for the International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF), presented directly to the City of Paris. Beyond this, Marie-Blanche has experience in real estate asset management with Bronx Pro Group and even co-founded a humanitarian initiative in Sierra Leone, demonstrating her diverse capabilities and global mindset.