Josephine Ndao is a development finance professional and Chief Entrepreneurship and SME Development Officer at the African Development Bank. She works to expand access to finance and build stronger support systems for African entrepreneurs and SMEs, with particular attention to inclusive growth and opportunities for women and young people. She has spoken on topics ranging from crowdfunding and innovative finance to the investment needs of Africa’s creative and entrepreneurial sectors. Through her work, she helps shape initiatives that enable businesses to grow, create jobs, and drive economic transformation across the continent.