Fri Asanga is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation, she was the Coordinator for FinScope and MAP Cameroon where she oversaw the activities of the financial scoping consumer survey in Cameroon on behalf of UNCDF and FinMark Trust. She has deep expertise in the microfinance sector haven spent more than 15 years working on financial inclusion for the most vulnerable groups in society. Prior to her work with FinScope and MAP Cameroon, she served as Advisor with the UNCDF Microlead project where she helped established the computerization of networks of CVECA as well as the piloting of branchless banking at some microfinance institutions. She also has broad experience in risk management, micro insurance schemes, training in financial literacy as well as social accountability.
She holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the United States International University-Africa in Nairobi, Kenya and a Bachelors degree from the University of Lagos in Nigeria.
Nolizwe Mhlaba is the Community and Project Manager at Anzisha Prize—Africa’s biggest award for her youngest entrepreneurs—with the mission of celebrating young entrepreneurs and actively sharing their stories, to increase the likelihood that others will choose to emulate their success Nolizwe is an educator boasting nearly a decade of experience. She is well recognized for experience in curriculum & instruction, youth development, and non-formal education in sub-Saharan Africa and United States.
Mhlaba’s goal is to support young African entrepreneurs scale and grow their businesses, giving them access to opportunities and telling their stories to inspire others to support them.