Elsie Kanza is Young, Beautiful and in Charge as she Heads Africa at the World Economic Forum

August 22, 2013 by Jennifer Nkem-Eneanya

Women are amazing; women are beautiful; women are intellectual; women are ingenious; women are dynamic, and so is Elsie Kanza!

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Born and educated in Kenya to Tanzanian parents and later the United States, Elsie holds a BSc (cum laude) in International Business Administration from the United States International University – Africa, an MSc in Finance from the University of Strathclyde and an MA in Development Economics from Williams College. Elsie is the Director, Head of Africa at the World Economic Forum, the Geneva, Switzerland-based organization whose mission is to engage political, business and social leaders to shape global agendas and effect local change.

Prior to her role as Head of Africa at the World Economic Forum, Elsie served as Personal Assistant and Economic Advisor to His Excellency, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania from 2006 to 2011 where she was responsible for economic affairs. She began her illustrious career with the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Tanzania where she worked in various capacities from 1997 to 2006. Now at the helm of the World Economic Forum on Africa, Elsie’s job involves cooperating with relevant leaders and stakeholders in influencing Africa’s growth in the new era.

 

She shares her thoughts on the future of Africa; “Africa is forging ahead. Sustained growth – despite the global downturn – has strengthened its leaders’ resolve to stay on a path of reform, even if sometimes the pace is slower than one might wish. Its businesses are beginning to build brands capable of competing internationally. Its consumers are spending more and creating opportunities for jobs. All that is needed now is for the right conditions to be created to enable these achievements to be sustained and accelerated.”

And she is doing her part in building an Africa that has the right conditions to sustain and accelerate growth in all sectors.

Did I say women were amazing?

© 2013, Jennifer Nkem-Eneanya. All rights reserved.