Em Ekong recently joined the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) and serves as the West Africa Chapter Head.  Em has experience in entrepreneurship and ecosystem building going back 25 years, spanning Europe, USA and Africa. Expertise includes business advisory and training services, project management and advocacy and communications. Prior to joining ANDE, Em was the Managing Director of Urban Inclusion Community a social enterprise that she set-up in 2006 in the UK. Over the last 5 years she has also worked with the United Cities and Local Governments – Africa based in Morocco and has extensive experience in co-creating unique and innovative convenings and policy dialogues. Alongside this work, she is also a business coach and mentor and has been supporting women and young entrepreneurs in West Africa for over 10 years. Em holds a Master’s degree in Economic Development and is passionate about gender equality, youth entrepreneurship and building diaspora led collaborations and partnerships to address sustainable economic development across the continent for #theafricawewant.