Impact Investor & UNEP Goodwill Ambassador, Roberta Annan has been named by Avance Media as one of 2021 100 Most Influential African Women.
The list which celebrates African women in leadership who inspire the next generation of women around the world is the third publication from Avance Media since 2019. The 2021 list celebrates women from 28 African countries from various backgrounds in business leadership, academia, diplomacy, philanthropy, entertainment and media. The list features notable personalities including UN’s Amina J. Mohammed (H.E), Sahle-Work Zewde (H.E), Samia Suluhu Hassan (H.E) presidents of Ethiopia and Tanzania respectively, Victoire Tomegah Dogbé, Prime Minister of Togo, Jessica Rose Epel Alupo (H.E), Mariam Chabi Talata (H.E.) Vice Presidents of Uganda and Benin respectively, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, World Trade Organization Director General and Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh first African Woman to head IBM’s operation in Africa as Regional Head and Executive Director.
Recognized as one of Africa’s foremost creative economy supporters, Roberta Annan has built an impressive track record and played a key role in providing support, funding, infrastructure and capacity building opportunities to African creatives and emerging talents through African Fashion Foundation, a non-governmental organization she set up in 2011.
She is also the Founder of IFFAC Investment Holdings and Frallain Group both aimed at supporting Africa’s creative and lifestyle industry with funding and infrastructure.
In June 2021, Roberta Annan was appointed as a Member of the Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design Advisory Council. The 10-member Council chaired by Edward Enninful OBE, Editor-in-Chief, British Vogue consists of other renowned industry leaders including Caroline Rush, Donatella Versace, Fabien Baron, Grace Coddington, Naomi Campbell, Roberta Annan, Sarah Mower, Suzy Menkes and Victoria Beckham.
The African Fashion Foundation(formerly Africa Fashion Fund), empowers fashion designers and creative professionals from Africa and its diaspora to succeed in the global fashion industry. AFF has become a leading resource and trusted strategic partner for both African brands and mainstream luxury brands through a variety of initiatives. These include a fellowship programme that took standout African designers and brands such as Kenneth Ize to an international audience via partners such as LVMH; designer Pappa Oppong’s work with US retailer Macy’s as well as other initiatives such the first-ever Creative Industry Retreat.
Over the years, she has built strategic partnerships with internationally recognized institutions such as Vogue Talents (Scouting For Africa), Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI), ITC among others.
An award-winning entrepreneur, Roberta has been featured on several international platforms and such as Concordia Summit, Private Equity Africa Summit, The Global African Investment Summit New York Forum Africa, New York Forum Africa, Impact Investment Forum Africa 2021, Ethical Fashion Podcast, Bella Naija Digital Summit among others.
She has also been featured on international media platforms such as Forbes, the HuffingtonPost, Financial Times WWD, Bella Naija among others.
Roberta has received several accolades for her work in impact investing, philanthropy, advocacy among others. Roberta is committed to raising the economic potential of Africa through investments in capacity building, creative arts, technology, and infrastructure. She sits on the board of the Frallain Group, Industrie Africa, Women’s Empowerment and Investment Group (WEIG), and Ghana France Business Club. Roberta draws from her wealth of experience across various markets globally while using her extensive network to help startup entrepreneurs bring their ideas to the market and scale globally. Her interests span mentorship, funding startups, and investing in infrastructure for the creative economy. Roberta is involved in conversations on socio-economic issues in Africa including women empowerment, entrepreneurship and youth unemployment.
Roberta Annan graduated Summa Cum Laude in Biochemistry and Biotechnology from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. She holds a Master’s degree in Biotechnology from Georgetown University and completed two modules of the Program for Leadership Development at the Harvard Business School.
Here are the others who made the list
