Nicole Naa Adoley Mensa, a Ghanaian economist and trade expert, currently serves as Special Assistant and Advisor (Women in Trade) to the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Based in Geneva since 2021, Nicole has championed inclusive trade policies that advance gender equality, especially in emerging economies. With a deep commitment to empowering women in global trade, she has led initiatives such as the WTO-ITC Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund. Launched in 2024 with a $5 million commitment from the UAE, the fund supports women entrepreneurs engaging in digital commerce, bridging the digital divide for African women-led businesses.
Nicole’s academic foundation includes an MSc in Applied Economics and Management from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Catania. Her research and advocacy work—like her widely cited analysis of Ghana’s shea butter industry—highlight how including women in global value chains can significantly benefit local economies and enhance global supply resilience.
Before joining the WTO, Nicole worked with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Center for Global Development, and was involved in building WƆ NƆ Ni Cosmetics, a social enterprise that promotes Ghanaian-made beauty products. In 2012, she founded ProjectHEY, which delivers ICT education to underserved youth in Ghana. Her multi-sector experience makes her an influential figure at international forums like the WTO Public Forum, TIME 100 Dinner at Davos, and academic panels across the world.
Esther Dassanou, a Senegalese development expert based in Rwanda, is the Director of Gender Programs at the Mastercard Foundation. With over 16 years of experience in international development—including 12 years focusing on financial inclusion for women—she leads innovative programs that engage banks, insurance firms, and microfinance institutions to design sustainable, gender-responsive financial products.
Esther’s impact lies in helping institutions integrate gender into their business models. By building internal capacities and providing technical support, she has influenced how financial systems in Africa approach credit, savings, and insurance for women-led businesses. Her work ensures that women are not only financial beneficiaries but also recognized drivers of economic growth.
Prior to joining the Mastercard Foundation, Esther held positions at the IFC (International Finance Corporation) and the African Development Bank, where she contributed to landmark projects on gender-smart investing. At the Foundation, she now oversees large-scale initiatives that empower young women in agriculture, technology, and entrepreneurship across multiple African countries.
Both Nicole and Esther are not just technocrats or advisors—they are architects of economic inclusion, shaping global and continental systems to work better for women. Their leadership continues to inspire a generation of African women to lead in policy, finance, trade, and development.
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