Esther Dassanou

Esther Dassanou is a distinguished African development leader and gender inclusion specialist driving financial empowerment for women across the continent. She currently serves as Director of Gender and Programs at the Mastercard Foundation, where she leads strategic efforts to accelerate access to dignified and fulfilling work for young women in Africa. Before this role, Esther managed the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa AFAWA initiative at the African Development Bank, working to reduce the estimated 42 billion dollar financing gap faced by women empowered businesses, helping unlock significant investments through financial institutions in more than 29 African countries. She also led gender inclusion work at the International Finance Corporation, co authored the landmark SheforShield report, and contributed to influential G20 reports on women’s access to finance.

Esther champions policies and programs that expand opportunities for women entrepreneurs, strengthen financial inclusion, and elevate women’s leadership in business and finance ecosystems. Her work reflects both strategic expertise and deep commitment to transforming systems that have historically excluded women from equitable economic participation. Through her leadership and advocacy, she continues to inspire African women and mothers to pursue economic dignity, impact, and generational change.