RELEASE
The FATE Foundation is excited to announce the appointment of Amaka Nwaokolo as the Director of The FATE Institute, effective September 2023.
The FATE Institute is the research, new thinking, advocacy, and policy division of FATE Foundation that is committed to leading innovative thinking and creating platforms to enable idea exchange and problem-solving strategies to foster sustainable entrepreneurship in Nigeria.
Amaka brings to the role 15 years of professional work experience across private and social sectors with deep expertise in thought leadership, ecosystem mapping, and policy advocacy particularly within the small and growing business space and the entrepreneurship ecosystem. She has led the research, policy, and advocacy work of the Foundation over the last 8 years. In her new role as Director of the FATE Institute of the FATE Foundation, she will lead and implement the strategy to enable innovative thinking and creating platforms that facilitate idea exchange and problem-solving around entrepreneurship nationally and regionally.
Since June 2015 when she joined the Foundation, she has led the development of over 15 research reports including the Mapping Study of Nigeria’s Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (2016); the annual State of Entrepreneurship in Nigeria reports; and the Bridging the Access to Finance Gap for Nigerian Entrepreneurs report (2022). She has also led the delivery of 8 annual Policy Dialogue programs which brings together key policy stakeholders and ecosystem players across public, private, and development sectors in Nigeria to deliberate and agree on key policy reforms around entrepreneurship as well as implementation approach.
Amaka also represents the Institute’s advocacy efforts across critical stakeholder groups in Nigeria, such as the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), where she serves as the Co-Facilitator on the MSME Community of Practice and works with ecosystem stakeholders around Access to Funding, Capacity building and Business Support, Access to Markets, Policy & Regulation. Over the past 8 years, she has led the Institute to be a part of policy initiatives around Taxation, Buy-made-in-Nigeria campaign, Nigeria Startup Bill (2022) etc.
As a Director, Amaka will be joining the Board of FATE Foundation which is chaired by Fola Adeola, OFR, MNi (Founder of the organisation) with other Board members including Adenike Adeyemi (Executive Director, FATE Foundation); Tokunbo Talabi (Secretary to the State Government, Ogun State); Juliet Ehimuan (Founder, Beyond Limits); Bolaji Agbede (Executive Director, Access Bank Corporation); Seni Sulyman (Co-founder and CEO, Talstack); Ibrahim Salau (Managing Director, Environmental Accord Ltd); Yinka Sanni (Chief Executive Officer, Africa Regions, Standard Bank Group); Olusola Adeola (Executive Director, Designing Futures); Seyi Bella (Partner, Banwo & Ighodalo); and Bambo Adebowale (Dean & Director, The FATE School).
It is our pleasure to introduce Amaka Nwaokolo to the FATE Foundation community of entrepreneurs, volunteers, partners, and the public.