Anna Ekeledo

Skoll Fellow @ Skoll Foundation

About

Anna Ekeledo is the Executive Director of AfriLabs, a network organisation of over 500 Technology and Innovation Hubs across 53 African countries and the diaspora; leading the organisation to achieve its vision of “an innovation-driven economy in Africa, driven by the power of our community” Anna is an international speaker, trainer, innovation ecosystem builder, and mentor. She is also an advisor in several advisory roles. Her work at AfriLabs is focused on leading a diverse team across Africa and working with multiple stakeholders to support innovation hubs and their communities to build successful innovators and entrepreneurs that will stimulate economic growth and social development in Africa, as well as build the African digital, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. She is a Skoll World Forum Fellow and has also been recognized as a top African economic and tech leader by bodies such as Choiseul 100 Africa 40 under 40 and Agile 50, the World's 50 Most Influential People Navigating Disruption, by Apolitical and the World Economic Forum. Anna is a member of the Africa-Europe Foundation Digital Strategy Task Force, the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the future of technology policy, and the NESG Strategic Group on Mining and Manufacturing. She is passionate about leveraging technology for social impact and inclusion; thereby creating social and economic opportunities for all. She also has a strong interest in driving enabling policies and implementing strategies which will lead to the digital transformation of African Nations.

Country

City

Nigeria

Industry

International Trade & Development

Skill

Digital Transformation, Tech policy , Board management , Nonprofit Organizations, Digital Strategy, Innovation Management, Organizational Development, Marketing Strategy, Direct Marketing, Marketing Communications, CRM, Strategy, Market Research, Project Planning, Digital Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, Marketing, Analytical Skills, Research, Integrated Marketing

Experience

Skoll Fellow

Skoll Foundation

2023-4 - Present · 3 yrs 6 mos

The Skoll Fellowship is a platform for leaders driving solutions to problems faced by the communities that they live and work in. Skoll World Forum Fellows are established founders and executives spanning social innovators, storytellers, ecosystem builders, connectors, and government leaders.

Member, Global Future Council on the Future of Technology Policy

World Economic Forum

2023-2 - Present · 3 yrs 8 mos

Member, Strategic Force Group on Digital

Africa-Europe Foundation

2020-12 - Present · 5 yrs 10 mos

Executive Director

AfriLabs

2016-3 - Present · 10 yrs 7 mos

AfriLabs is a Pan-African network of technology and innovation hubs promoting the growth and development of the African innovation, technology and entrepreneurship ecosystem. AfriLabs comprises of innovation and technology hubs across over 50 African countries. Progress so far: • Led the institutionalization of AfriLabs, transforming it into a strong pan-African network operated by a pan-African team with robust internal systems aligned to global best practices. • Expanded AfriLabs from 40 hubs to over 500 hubs in 225+ cities across 53 countries with a collective community of over 10 million innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups, establishing it as the largest pan-African innovation network. • Guided two constitutional reviews, strengthening community governance and inclusivity. • Facilitated partnerships with diverse stakeholder groups. • Led my team and communities to drive initiatives empowering innovation hubs, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and innovators across Africa, impacting over 10 million lives, creating thousands of jobs, supporting thousands of innovators, startups, SMEs and youth to drive economic transformation. • Spearheaded AfriLabs into global memberships, including International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), and secured partnerships with international agencies such as the U.S. Office of Global Partnerships (U.S. State Department), Korea-Africa Foundation (Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and the Ministry of Investment, Saudi Arabia. • Successfully founded and scaled the AfriLabs Annual Gathering in 2016 in Accra, Ghana, establishing it as the largest convening of innovation enablers in Africa. The Gathering has been hosted by 8 African countries and the African Union Commission. • Led the development of platforms to empower the African innovation ecosystem such as AfriLabs Academy, AfriLabs Connect and AfriLabs Connect Deal Room.

Member

Nigerian Industrial Policy and Competitiveness Advisory Council

2018-6 - 2023-2 · 4 yrs 9 mos

Nigeria

Member of the Advisory Group on Technology and Creativity, under the Nigerian Industrial Policy and Competitiveness Advisory Council. This Advisory Group is chaired by the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and its objective is to solve problems which inhibit the growth of the technology and creativity subsectors.

Regional Innovation Lead - Africa

EdTech Hub

2019-7 - 2022-7 · 3 yrs 1 mo

United Kingdom

Advisory Board

Technopolis Group Amsterdam

2019-2 - 2022-2 · 3 yrs 1 mo

Advisor to the Africa Europe Innovation Partnership, an Initiative supported by the Eurpean Commision which aims to support and connect innovation and technology incubators and accelerators in tapping into new markets, as well as to build new perspectives, knowledge and networks. https://africaeurope-innovationpartnership.net/about

Working Party Chair

Ecommerce Forum Africa

2020-9 - 2021-12 · 1 yr 4 mos

Chair of the Working Party on negotiations on the eCommerce Protocol of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA)

Consultant

GEMS Marketing & Business Development for MSMEs

2015-12 - 2017-12 · 2 yrs 1 mo

Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

The objective of the Growth and Employment in States (GEMS) World Bank Project for Nigeria was to increase growth and employment in participating states.