Open to opportunities

Jen Okeke-Ojiudu

@jenokeke-ojiudu

Message

I lead strategic partnerships and ecosystem engagement to mobilize capital and advance innovation policy across Africa.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking to lead strategic partnerships and ecosystem-building work—mobilizing funding, convening key stakeholders, shaping innovation policy, and strengthening cross-border collaboration with governments, investors, and technology partners.

I am a strategic partnerships and ecosystem-building executive with leadership experience spanning “55 African countries” and engagement across North America, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. In my roles, I mobilize “$750,000+ annually” and cultivate high-level relationships with governments, development finance institutions, multilateral organizations, investors, and global technology companies.

At AfriLabs, I drive continent-wide ecosystem engagement, including executive stakeholder management and public affairs functions, while connecting innovation ecosystems to partners in the United States, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Europe, and more. I also lead flagship convenings through the AfriLabs Annual Gathering, including conceptualizing the “Ministerial Roundtable,” and I built and facilitated a startup investment pipeline exceeding “$2.5 million”; beyond that, I strengthen organizational visibility through strategic communications and media relations. Earlier, I led entrepreneurship and public affairs work through the Empretec Nigeria Foundation (UNCTAD) and Abuja Times Newspaper, and I’m currently a Vice President at THE OJIUDU FOUNDATION focused on women’s economic empowerment and inclusive innovation.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Senior Ecosystem Engagement Manager

Current

AfriLabs

Jan 2020 - Present (6 years 6 months)

Provide strategic leadership for AfriLabs’ ecosystem engagement, government relations, diplomatic partnerships, and public affairs across a network spanning 55 African countries. Mobilize $750,000+ annually and build an investment pipeline exceeding $2.5 million while leading continental collaboration and flagship convenings, including a Ministerial Roundtable.

Strategic Partnerships Ecosystem Development Government Relations Public Affairs Media Relations Capital Mobilization Fundraising Sponsorship Acquisition Institutional Partnerships Innovation Policy Investment Facilitation Collaboration Convenings

Current

Vice President, Gender Inclusion

Current

The Ojiudu Foundation

Jan 2018 - Present (8 years 6 months)

Lead initiatives focused on women’s economic empowerment, leadership development, entrepreneurship, and inclusive innovation. Design programs connecting emerging female leaders with global mentors, investors, and business networks, including partnerships with international development and philanthropic organizations.

Women'S Economic Empowerment Leadership Development entrepreneurship Inclusive Innovation Strategic Partnerships Institutional Partnerships Program Implementation

Political & Diplomatic Liaison

Abuja Times Newspaper

Jan 2017 - Jan 2020 (3 years)

Manage relationships with senior government officials, diplomats, policymakers, and public sector stakeholders. Support engagement initiatives focused on governance, diplomacy, public affairs, and policy discussions.

Government Relations Public Affairs Policy Discussion Stakeholder Management

Federal Capital Territory Lead

Empretec Nigeria Foundation (UNCTAD)

Jan 2018 - Jan 2019 (1 year)

Lead entrepreneurship development program implementation in alignment with UNCTAD’s Empretec methodology. Manage stakeholder engagement with government, private sector, and entrepreneurship support organizations, and deliver capacity-building for entrepreneurs, SMEs, and innovation-driven enterprises.

Entrepreneurship Development UNCTAD Empretec Methodology Stakeholder Engagement Capacity Building Entrepreneurship Support Organizations Government Relations