Regional Executive for Central, Eastern & Southern Africa, and Managing Director of Ecobank Kenya
Treasury Management | Strategy Implementation | Speaker
Investment & Commercial Banking | International Banking
Josephine Anan-Ankomah stepped onto the grand stage of the University of Ghana, the air thick with admiration and applause. The moment was profound—not just for her, but for the many women and young professionals across Africa who had been inspired by her journey. As the Chancellor, Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse, conferred upon her the Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.), honoris causa, it was more than a title; it was a celebration of an extraordinary career, a lifetime of resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in banking, leadership, and mentorship. Her story was never one of shortcuts or ease. It was built on years of dedication, countless boardroom battles, and an unyielding vision to reshape Africa’s financial landscape. Today, as the Regional Executive for Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa and Managing Director of Ecobank Kenya, she oversees operations in 18 countries, navigating the complexities of diverse markets with the precision of a seasoned leader. Her nearly three decades in banking have been marked by bold decisions and transformative strategies, always pushing the boundaries of what was possible. Long before she sat at the helm of banking operations spanning multiple regions, she was a young woman with an insatiable hunger for knowledge. She walked the corridors of St. Rose’s Senior High School in Akwatia, where the foundations of her discipline and ambition were laid. At the University of Ghana, she pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree, later returning to earn her Master of Business Administration (MBA). But education, for Josephine, was never just about degrees; it was about sharpening her mind, refining her skills, and preparing for the impact she would one day make. Her quest for professional mastery led her to become a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), a distinction that further solidified her place among Africa’s top financial minds.
Her career at Ecobank Group unfolded like a masterclass in strategic growth. Rising through the ranks, she took on roles that shaped the bank’s expansion and deepened its influence across the continent. As Group Executive for Commercial Banking, she led operations in 33 African countries, pioneering financial solutions tailored to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and local corporates. She understood that Africa’s economic future rested in the hands of its entrepreneurs, and she was determined to equip them with the tools to thrive.
Her ability to drive impact was evident in every role she took on. As Chief Operating Officer for Ecobank West African Monetary Zone/East & Southern Africa, she spearheaded the bank’s expansion into new territories, ensuring Ecobank’s footprint reached deeper into West, Eastern, and Southern Africa. As Regional Treasurer, she managed an astounding $3 billion balance sheet across Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and The Gambia. And when she became Managing Director of Ecobank Gambia, she transformed the institution into the nation’s leading bank, propelling it from third place in 2015 to the number one position by 2017.
Yet, beyond the boardrooms and financial forecasts, Josephine’s true passion lay in uplifting women. She recognized the barriers that held back women entrepreneurs and set out to dismantle them. She pioneered ‘Ellevate by Ecobank,’ an award-winning gender financing program that provided women-led businesses with financial backing, training, and networking opportunities. The program spread across 33 African markets, empowering thousands of women to scale their businesses, proving that financial inclusion was not just a buzzword but a necessity for economic growth.
Her commitment to mentorship and education stretched far beyond the corporate world. In The Gambia, she launched a scholarship program for girls, providing them with education, financial support, and mentorship. The initiative, SheBlooms, became a beacon of hope, ensuring that young girls—who might have otherwise been left behind—had access to the opportunities they deserved. She understood that empowering a girl meant empowering a community, and she never hesitated to invest in the future.
But Josephine’s journey was never just about finance and leadership. There was another side to her, one that thrived in melody and harmony. Music had always been woven into the fabric of her life. In the early 1990s, she recorded “Guanhwefo (Psalm 23)” with Joyful Way, a song that resonated deeply with audiences. It was no surprise that, during her honorary doctorate acceptance speech, she took a moment to sing that same song once more, her voice filling the auditorium, a reminder of the power of faith, perseverance, and purpose.
As she stood before the University of Ghana, holding her honorary doctorate, she dedicated the achievement to God, her late parents, her family, her mentors, and to the many young women across Africa who dared to dream. She knew that her journey was not hers alone—it was a testament to the strength of those who had supported her, the lessons learned along the way, and the lives she had touched. Her legacy is one of resilience, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to breaking barriers for the next generation. From the high-rise offices of international banking to the classrooms where young girls find hope, Josephine Anan-Ankomah’s story is one of impact, inspiration, and the endless pursuit of excellence.