September 22, 2025 — The Economic Club of Africa Network (ECAN) — a non-profit organization dedicated to finance, innovation, and development in Africa — is proud to announce the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors. 

With deep knowledge and expertise in international business and finance, development, technology innovation, economic governance, and public policy, these experts and leaders bring a wealth of experience and passion that will help guide ECAN through its next phase of growth and deepen its impact.

The new board members include:

• Elsie Addo Awadzi, former Deputy Governor, Bank of Ghana – Elsie Addo Awadzi is a multi-disciplinary professional and high-impact leader with 30 years of professional experience working in various capacities in Ghana and internationally. Her experience spans economic governance, international financial institutions, international development, investment and financial transactions advisory including for private equity and venture capital funds, and financial inclusion. Before her appointment as Deputy Governor, she worked with the International Monetary Fund in Washington D.C. for six years. Before joining the IMF in 2012, she held various portfolios including serving as a Commissioner of Ghana’s Securities & Exchange Commission for six years where she played a key role in designing policies, rules, surveillance and enforcement mechanisms for Ghana’s then nascent capital market. She has consulted extensively for local and foreign private equity/venture capital funds and public sector and development partner clients, across Africa and the Caribbean. Ms. Awadzi’s full bio is available here: www.econclubafrica.org/elsie-addo-awadzi

• Mahesh Krishnamurti, Founder & CEO, Thought Leadership Capital –  Mahesh Krishnamurti is a proven change agent with international experience and focus on driving leadership alignment and business strategy at the executive/board level. He returned to New York in 2021 after 13 years in India where he was MD & CEO for India and MEA regions and on the global leadership team of RGP. As an advisor and strategic leader at Thought Leadership Capital, he works with private equity and venture capital portfolio companies and innovative ventures that are on the ground and at scale. Until recently, he served as Independent Director on the Board of YES Bank, India’s 4th largest private bank, at the invitation of the Reserve Bank of India. Mr. Krishnamurti’s full bio is available here: www.econclubafrica.org/mahesh-krishnamurti

• Tunde Fafunwa, Managing Director, Kitskoo, Inc.  –  Tunde Fafunwa’s mission is to harness globally inclusive technology to empower people to improve their lives and build better communities. As a business leader, he has built and nurtured teams that delivered growth and innovation in businesses with revenue from $5 million to $5 billion annually. He has led technology and telecom businesses in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the United States. While Lead Advisor to the Digital Centre at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), he spearheaded a team that built continental African policies, initiatives, and services across digital ID, e-payments, e-commerce, digital infrastructure, and data governance. Mr. Fafunwa’s full bio is available here: www.econclubafrica.org/tunde-fafunwa

This strategic board expansion brings fresh perspectives and deep expertise to support ECAN’s mission of driving sustainable resource mobilization and public-private partnerships. The enhanced board will help deepen partnerships and guide the implementation of our ambitious strategic initiatives.

“We are thrilled to welcome this dynamic group of leaders to our board,” said Prof. Fred Olayele, Chair, Board of Directors, ECAN. “Their deep expertise and proven track records will be instrumental as we push boundaries and drive transformational change across frontier and emerging economies in Africa.”

“It’s an honor to join an organization at the forefront of strategic public-private partnerships and resource mobilization across Africa,” said Elsie Addo Awadzi. “I look forward to bringing my expertise and insights to the board to help scale ECAN’s impact in finance, innovation, and sustainable development on the continent.” 

“I am honored to join ECAN in its mission to make a profound difference in resource mobilization and development across Africa,” said Tunde Fafunwa. “I am committed to contributing my expertise in digital transformation for economic growth to the board to support ECAN’s impact on finance, innovation, and public policy across Africa.” 

“It’s a privilege and honor to serve on the ECAN board alongside a team with such great distinction and experience, ” said Mahesh Krishnamurti. “I look forward to the process of leveraging the board’s collective experience to achieve tangible economic benefits for entities in Africa, US, and elsewhere through meaningful collaboration”.  

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About ECAN

ECAN is a non-profit organization dedicated to finance, innovation, and development in Africa. We are a premier platform leading the way in strategic and sustainable resource mobilization. Membership is by invitation only — and typically reserved for highly accomplished and distinguished leaders and experts in the public, private, academic, and civic sectors.

To learn more, visit www.econclubafrica.org