Founder of AB2020 and Tech in Ghana Recognised as Top 100 BAME Leader in Tech

Akosua Annobil, founder of AB2020 (AfricaBusiness2020.com) and the Tech in Ghana Conference has today been announced as one of the top 100 most influential Black, Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) leaders in the UK tech sector.

The list, compiled by the Financial Times and board appointments firm Inclusive Boards, will be released today (14th November) at the House of Commons as part of the official launch of the Inclusive Tech Alliance.

The Alliance has been set up in response to new research by Inclusive Boards that will show the sector is significantly lagging behind others on diversity within senior leadership. 

Founder of the Inclusive Tech Alliance (ITA) Samuel Kasumu, who is also a member of the UK Prime Minister’s Race Disparity Advisory Board said: ‘Technology is increasingly playing an important role in driving our economy and there is a great need to ensure that everyone can fully participate in the jobs and opportunities technology brings.

‘Akosua and others featured in this list today are role models that will inspire the next generation, and hopefully help to improve diversity within the sector.’

The criteria used for nominees included their holding a senior role, having a sphere of influence within their organisation – or across a community – and driving progress in the sector outside their professional roles.

Akosua founded AB2020, a communications company focused on connecting Africa’s dynamic business community globally, in 2015. The following year she conceived Tech in Ghana, now held twice yearly in London and Accra, and was officially launched by the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Ghana Adam Afriyie in February 2017. The platform has since featured over 150 tech companies and startups, and key industry and government speakers. 

Akosua says: ‘I’m humbled and grateful to be included in the UK’s Top 100 Black and Minority Ethnic Leaders in Technology list. I’ve no doubt the tech sector will continue to be a catalyst for inclusion across the world.

‘The objective of Tech in Ghana is to showcase the innovation taking place throughout the country; and that includes all players and participants in the ecosystem, irrespective of the location where they’re based because ultimately; a diverse network is a strong network.’

The Tech in Ghana Conference returns to Africa for its second Ghana-based conference on 27 and 28 November at the Accra Digital Centre.

Akosua adds: ’In addition to our usual mandate of bringing key players and influencers together to collaborate and share knowledge, this year’s event will operate under the theme Local Focus, Global Reach and focus on the increasing amount of activity and entrepreneurship taking place outside of Ghana’s capital Accra. It’s a great place to be if you’re serious about technology and interested in networking, finding new customers, and keeping up-to-date with the latest trends and opportunities in the country.’

This is the first time the FT and Inclusive Boards have published a Top 100 list of black and minority ethnic leaders in technology.

Those featured in the top 100 include senior leaders from Facebook, LinkedIn, IBM, Twitter and financial services firm EY. Judges include Tim Sawyer CBE (COO, Innovate UK), Sandra Kerr OBE (Race Equality Director, Business in the Community), and Catherine Muirden (Director of HR, Co-Op Foods).

SEE FULL LIST HERE – The top 100 most influential Black, Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) leaders in the UK tech sector

Visit Tech in Ghana