Ahunna Eziakonwa

Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa is a global development leader and dedicated Afro-optimist who champions African agency, innovation, and leadership. As UNDP’s Regional Director for Africa, she oversees operations in 46 countries and manages a $1.2 billion development portfolio. She leads bold initiatives like timbuktoo, UNDP’s flagship effort to build Africa’s startup ecosystem, and the African Influencers for Development platform, mobilizing leading African voices for sustainable change. A steadfast advocate for youth and women, she spearheaded the Africa Facility to Support Women in Political Leadership and launched the African Young Women Leaders Fellowship Programme, empowering over 96 young African women across the UN system. Advancing resilience and inclusive governance, she established the Africa Facility for Inclusive Transitions to promote African-led transitions and national ownership, and shaped the UNDP Africa Borderlands Initiative and #IAMSAHEL campaign to tackle fragility through investment and resilience. She also drives economic transformation through Africa’s Money for Africa’s Development agenda and systemic reforms like the Credit Rating Initiative. She previously served as UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Lesotho. She is a graduate of Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, she also holds a Bachelor’s in Education from the University of Benin, Nigeria, and has completed executive programs at the Harvard Kennedy School. 

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