Name:

Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh

Biography:

Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh is a distinguished business leader and strategic visionary specializing in Africa's digital transformation. She is the Founder and CEO of BrainWave AfricaTech, a leading business partner for IBM and Microsoft, based in Accra, Ghana. BrainWave AfricaTech drives digital transformation across Africa using AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics to optimize business processes. Angela's extensive experience spans North, East, and West Africa, where she has managed IBM's operations across 35 countries and built a robust network throughout the region. Before establishing BrainWave AfricaTech, Angela served as Microsoft's Digital Transformation Lead for Africa, collaborating with governments and enterprises to advance their digital transformation journeys using state-of-the-art technologies. Prior to her tenure at Microsoft, Angela was the Regional Head/CEO for IBM North, East, and West Africa. She made history as the first woman and first African to hold this prestigious position, driving IBM's business and strategy in 35 African countries, including Nigeria, Morocco, Kenya, and Ghana. During her decade at IBM, Angela held several key roles, including Marketing Lead for West Africa and Strategy Lead for Central, East, and West Africa. In 2015, she became the Country General Manager for IBM Ghana, becoming IBM's first female country manager in Africa. Under her leadership, IBM Ghana tripled its revenue, earning a spot in IBM's prestigious Club 100, which celebrates the top 100 performers globally. Additionally, she served as the Chief of Staff to the SVP of Global Markets at IBM's headquarters in the United States. Angela's career began in the financial sector, where she worked for prominent institutions like UBS Investment Bank and ABN AMRO in the UK. She later held leadership roles as Head of Consumer Banking for GT Bank Ghana and Head of Prestige Banking for UBA Bank Ghana. In 2011, Angela transitioned from finance to technology, making significant strides in the industry since then. Beyond her leadership in the tech industry, Angela is a strong advocate for women empowerment, actively mentoring women in the corporate sector and supporting underprivileged communities in rural Ghana through philanthropic efforts. She has served on several boards, including the Central Bank of Ghana, the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) in Zurich, Switzerland, Allianz Ghana, Bayport Financial Services, and other banks. Angela is an alumna of Harvard Business School and a member of the Forbes Technology Council. Angela's philanthropic initiatives include adopting Siti Village in Ghana, providing clean drinking water and solar lighting systems, with future plans to establish a school for the community. Recognized for her influence, she was named among the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Africa by Forbes Africa in 2023 and listed among the Fifty Most Influential African Female Leaders by the Young Global Leaders Network in 2022. She was also ranked among the top fifty women on the Africa.com Definitive List of Women CEOs in 2021 and received accolades such as the US African Women Forum’s Global Impact Leadership Award and African Achievers Awards for Excellence in Business. Angela is a dedicated mother of two boys, an avid golfer, and a passionate Formula 1 enthusiast. Her dedication to innovation, women empowerment, and exceptional leadership continues to inspire future generations.