Ms. Anna Ekeledo

Anna Ekeledo is the Executive Director Emeritus of AfriLabs, a Pan-African network organization comprising over 500 technology and innovation hubs spread across more than 225 cities in 53 African countries and the diaspora. She led the AfriLabs community for nearly a decade in achieving its vision of a thriving innovation economy in Africa, heading a Pan-African team to develop impactful initiatives and build multi-stakeholder partnerships.

These efforts supported African innovation hubs and other ecosystem stakeholders in raising high-potential entrepreneurs who unlock Africa’s vast potential and drive economic growth and social development across the continent. Since May 2026, she has continued to support AfriLabs’ mission, while focusing on advancing intra-African trade and industrialisation.

In addition to her role at AfriLabs, Anna is a founder and Council Member of the timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation, an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that addresses critical gaps in the African startup ecosystem. timbuktoo works with African governments, investors, corporates, and universities to accelerate entrepreneurship and innovation.

Anna serves on several prestigious networks and councils, including the World Economic Forum’s Global Innovation and Impact Council, the Africa Europe Foundation’s Strategic Group on Digital, and as a Founding Board Member of the Africa Creatives Alliance (ACA). She has also represented AfriLabs as an observer at the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) General Assembly and as a Private Sector Member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

As an international speaker, trainer, innovation ecosystem builder, and advisor, Anna contributes to shaping policies and fostering collaborations that promote innovation, digital transformation, intra-African trade, and industrialisation. She has judged and mentored global initiatives like the Cartier Women’s Initiative, which supports women entrepreneurs worldwide.

Academically, Anna holds a first-class degree in Psychology from Covenant University, Nigeria, and an M.Sc. in International Marketing Management from Leeds University Business School, UK. She is a Skoll Fellow and has been recognized as one of Africa’s top economic and tech leaders by organizations such as Choiseul 100 Africa, Agile 50 (World Economic Forum, with Apolitical), and MIPAD (Most Influential People of African Descent).