Anita Erskine, a prominent Media and Communications expert with over two decades of experience, is renowned for her role in shaping Africa's narrative and advocating sustainable development. As the Executive Director of Erskine Global Communications, she employs storytelling and various media formats to promote issues such as gender equality, digital advancement, youth employment, climate awareness, and entrepreneurship in Africa and its diaspora. Anita is also an impact investor focusing on female-led tech startups in Africa.
Anita has worked with ABH since our inaugural year in 2019 and currently serves as the Official Host of Africa’s Business Heroes.
Anita has an illustrious career. Since 1997, her broadcasting career has led her to produce and host over 15 radio and TV programs, gaining global acclaim. Her show "Anita Erskine's Sheroes" has been a major success, emphasizing women's empowerment through storytelling. Anita's expertise extends to hosting over 200 global events, including high-level dialogues, award ceremonies, and fundraising events. In 2020, she became the host of Africa’s Business Heroes, a role through which she supports and trains African entrepreneurs.
An advocate for social impact, Anita launched the STEM Woman Project in 2019 to inspire young women in STEM and founded the Women’s Elevation Fund in 2018, aiding girls in pursuing careers in Film and Television. She mentors female entrepreneurs and supports female directors through Black Women Film Canada. Anita's influence is widely recognized, being named one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Africa and among the top 500 influential Africans globally. She has received numerous accolades, including the 2021 Trent University Alumni of the Year Award, for her advocacy for youth and women. Her commitment to showcasing Africa's growth and advocating for ambitious excellence is a testament to her unwavering tenacity and focus.
In 2020, she became the official host of Africa’s Business Heroes - The Jack Ma Foundation's flagship philanthropic entrepreneur program in Africa - a role that affords her the opportunity of contributing to the growth of Africa’s Entrepreneurial ecosystem by hosting the show and providing communications training to the diverse collective of ABH finalists both on the African continent and in the Diaspora.
Bogolo Joy Kenewendo's career spans trade & investment, finance & development, and public policy. She is the Regionalisation Director, and Special Advisor to the UN Climate Change High Level Champions. Kenewendo served as a Specially Elected Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry in Botswana. She serves in various corporate and philanthropic boards including as Chairperson of Bank Gaborone, Non-Executive Director of the Africa Free Trade Area adjustment Fund Corporation and the Africa Center for Economic Transformation. She also advises governments and international institutions on trade and economic development policy. Ms. Kenewendo has served as an advisor to Africa's Business Heroes since 2019. Kenewendo has served the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council, the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation, Advisory group on the gender architecture of the UN and group on Financing for Development.
She is also a member of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Trade Advisory Group, Global Future Council on Global Public Goods in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and a WEF Young Global Leader. She is a Non-Resident Fellow with the Center for Global Development.
She is frequently named among Africa's Most Influential People by various publications. In 2022 she was named among Prestigious Time magazine’s TIME100 Next Honorees highlighting 100 emerging leaders from around the world who are shaping the future and defining the next generation of leadership.
