Dr. Edwin Kamalha is a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Polymer, Textile, and Industrial Engineering at Busitema University. He has over fifteen (15) years of university teaching and research experience. Dr. Kamalha is a fellow of the EU Joint PhD Programme in Sustainable Management and Design for Textiles, with awards in Chemical Engineering from Politecnico di Torino, Italy; Textile Engineering from Soochow University, China; and Materials and Mechanics from Lille I, France.

He has published over thirty-five (35) peer-reviewed papers in areas including functional materials, nanotechnology, textiles, clothing, and sustainability. Dr. Kamalha has extensive training and experience in quality assurance and is currently a Master’s Scholar in Policy Development and Analysis. He is implementing five international projects focused on sustainable textile value chains, textile TVET, and academic mobility.

Dr. Kamalha is also a member of six technical committees at the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, a reviewer and editor for several scientific journals, and serves as an external examiner for international universities. His current research interests include sustainable processes and LCA, circularity and green solutions, quality assurance, functional materials, biofuels, policy analysis, and alternative materials and fibers.

Dr. Yasir Nawab is a leading expert in sustainable textiles and composite materials, with nearly 20 years of experience. He is a tenured professor at National Textile University, an Adjunct Professor at NC State University, USA, and a Visiting Professor at Northumbria University, UK. Dr. Nawab’s leadership in the KnowTex project is transforming Pakistan’s textile export value chain, driving socio-economic progress through innovative circular economy practices.

He also leads transformative initiatives like the UKRI and SMEP-funded Banana Fiber project in Pakistan, Kenya, and Uganda, converting agricultural waste into valuable fibers that create jobs and advance environmental sustainability. As a researcher specializing in composite materials, textile recycling, and second-hand clothing value chains, Dr. Nawab advocates for sustainable business models in Pakistan that integrate recycled materials into textile products.

In addition to his research, he advises on policy and develops cutting-edge curricula, shaping the future of sustainable textiles and composite applications worldwide.

Prof. Mwasiagi obtained his BTECH (Textile Technology) from Bharathiar University (Coimbatore) in 1991, where he was awarded the Precitex Award as the Best Spinning Student for 1989-90. He subsequently worked at Thika Cloth Mills and Rivatex Factory, where he served as Assistant to the Spinning Master and Spinning Manager, respectively.

In February 1997, he joined Moi University as a Teaching Assistant. Prof. Mwasiagi pursued his Master’s and PhD degrees at Donghua University from 1998-2000 and 2004-2009, respectively. He currently works with Moi University as an Associate Professor of Textile Engineering and has extensive research and teaching experience in textile technology. His roles have included serving as the Head of the Department of Textile Engineering at Moi University and as Professor and Chair of Yarn Manufacture courses at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia (2013 to 2015).

Prof. Mwasiagi is also the local coordinator of the SPREE project (funded by the EU), a Kenyan researcher for Collaborative Research on Key Issues of Protective Textile Products in Emergency Situations in African countries (sponsored by the China Association of Science and Technology), an external staff reviewer for Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and a reviewer with the Commission for University Education (CUE). Additionally, he is the Project Principal Investigator (PI) for the UNEP INTEX project in Kenya, the lead contact in Kenya for the EKA UPMADE project, and Co-PI in the Banatex-EA project.

Dr. Mutua holds a Ph.D. in Materials Processing Engineering from the Centre for Civil Aviation Composites (CCAC), Donghua University, China. He received his Bachelor of Technology degree and Master of Engineering from Moi and Donghua Universities, respectively. He has a keen interest in green materials, composite materials, and renewable energy.

His research interests include Green Polymer Engineering, Light Engineering Materials, Automotive Engineering, Composite Materials, Nanocomposite Materials, Nanotechnology, Surface Modification of Materials, Spectroscopic and Mechanical Analysis of Materials, as well as the use of bio-based resources to advance science and solve industrial problems.

Dr. Mutua has published over 35 papers in peer-reviewed journals, presented several conference papers, and registered two patents. He has participated in several training sessions both locally and abroad and has work experience in both industry and academia. He is currently a Senior Lecturer and Director of the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the Technical University of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya.

Levi Brian Kanene serves as a Standards Officer at the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), where he has been employed since 2019. He is currently responsible for the development of national and East African regional standards in the fields of textiles and paper products. At the national level, Mr. Kanene oversees UNBS/TC 306, Paper and Paper Products, and UNBS/TC 315, Textiles and Related Products.

Regionally, he manages EASC/TC 061, Textiles, Textile Products and Accessories, and EASC/TC 065, Paper and Paper Products within the East African Community (EAC). Mr. Kanene is also actively engaged in African standardization efforts through ARSO/TC 53, Textiles, Textile Products, and Accessories, and participates in international standardization work under ISO/TC 6, Paper, Board and Pulps, and ISO/TC 38, Textiles.

He began his career as a Quality Control Officer at Fine Spinners Uganda Limited, followed by Southern Range Nyanza Limited. Mr. Kanene holds a Bachelor of Science in Textile Engineering (2014) and a Master of Science in Materials Engineering (2024), both from Busitema University.

Mr. Muturi Kimani is the founder and Managing Director of TEXFAD Limited, an organization based in Uganda that develops and commercializes innovations and technologies using waste banana pseudostems and fabric waste. He has successfully developed extraction procedures for natural fibres from waste banana stems and production processes for banana fibre textile yarns, carpets, fabrics, hair extensions, vegan leather, among other products.

Mr. Kimani is a specialist in Textiles Design education and a curriculum developer with the Directorate of Industrial Training for non-formal skills training programmes. He is also the Secretary General of The African Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production (ARSCP), a continental platform for multinational project coordination and execution, knowledge sharing, and networking among National Cleaner Production Centers (NCPCs) and Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) practicing organizations and professionals in Africa. Additionally, he serves as the chairperson of the National Handweavers Association of Uganda.

Leroy Smith is the visionary founder and CEO of FreakinFuture, a groundbreaking Web3 e-commerce platform at the forefront of integrating fashion, technology, and sustainability. With a deep-rooted passion for merging cutting-edge digital innovation with eco-conscious initiatives, Leroy has been instrumental in crafting a platform that leverages blockchain, decentralized finance, and immersive technologies to redefine the global fashion landscape.

His extensive background in digital media, coupled with his expertise in emerging technologies such as NFTs, artificial intelligence, and virtual/augmented reality, enables him to spearhead projects that connect cultural heritage with futuristic innovations. Leroy’s leadership and unique perspective position FreakinFuture as a pioneering force in sustainable fashion and digital experiences, especially within the African and African Diaspora markets.

Through his strategic vision and unwavering commitment to sustainability, Leroy is not only reshaping e-commerce but also fostering significant partnerships under the SMEP project, like the BanaTex initiative. His role in BanaTex focuses on upscaling the production and commercial use of banana fibre, showcasing his dedication to advancing the green economy while empowering local industries. Leroy’s collaboration with key stakeholders in the SMEP project embodies his mission to create impactful, environmentally responsible ventures that align with the principles of circular fashion and economic empowerment across Africa.