NextBillion - A WDI Publication

Amabelle Nwakanma (Director of Programmes and Partnerships, LEAP Africa) is an international development professional, strategist and certified coach with over 15 years of experience designing, managing, implementing and monitoring youth- and women- and girl-centred programmes across social development, health and human services. Her work is grounded in advancing innovation, education, empowerment and sustainable development across diverse contexts. Amabelle has worked across non-profit, government and private sector institutions spanning four continents. She currently serves as Director of Programmes and Partnerships at LEAP Africa, where she leads organisational strategy and execution across programme delivery, monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL), learning and innovation, and technology. Her portfolio covers key youth development areas including leadership and active citizenship, gender equity, social innovation, education, entrepreneurship, employability and digital transformation. She holds an Advanced Coaching Certificate, a BSc in Behavioural Neuroscience, and postgraduate degrees in Quality Management and Global Public Health and Policy.