Ekow Mensah is the kind of leader whose presence sparks belief. A serial entrepreneur, coach, consultant, and speaker, Ekow carries an energy that turns ideas into action and ambition into impact.
Under 40, he has built a career defined not just by titles, but by lives changed, businesses strengthened, and young people awakened to their potential across Africa and beyond.
As the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The African Network of Entrepreneurs (TANOE), Ekow leads a self-funded social enterprise created to help African entrepreneurs build sustainable, globally competitive indigenous businesses.
What started as a bold vision has grown into a powerful network of about 750 entrepreneurs across Africa, with strong representation in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Liberia, and Zambia.
Through TANOE, Ekow has cultivated a space where ideas are sharpened, collaborations are born, and African businesses are prepared to compete confidently on the global stage.
Ekow’s leadership journey is rich and multidimensional. He is the Managing Director of IConcepts Co. Ltd, where strategy meets execution, and the Lead Consultant and Trainer at the Business & Entrepreneur Development Centre (BEDeC), where he pours his experience into developing entrepreneurs and leaders.
His passion for youth empowerment is especially evident in his role as an Entrepreneurship Development Consultant and Trainer with the British Council Ghana’s Blazing Trails Program, where he has trained and mentored over 2,000 graduates and out-of-school youth in entrepreneurship and leadership across Ghana. Each session is more than training; it is a spark of confidence for young people finding their voice and direction.
Beyond Ghana, Ekow’s influence crosses borders and cultures. As an Independent DFA Certified Cross-Cultural Consultant for West Africa with Dean Foster Associates (USA), he supports organisations navigating global business environments.
He also serves as Director of Programs for the Boost Fellowship Program in Ghana, shaping initiatives that accelerate personal and professional growth, and as a Visionary Leader with the Smart Girls Network Foundation, where his work champions female empowerment and leadership development.
At the heart of Ekow’s work is people. As a Personal Development and Life Coach with Ekow Mensah & Associates, he helps individuals break mental barriers, discover clarity, and step boldly into their purpose.
His voice, warm, direct, and deeply motivating, has earned him respect as an inspirational speaker and positioned him as a trusted guide for entrepreneurs, leaders, and young changemakers.
This global outlook is further reflected in his role as a World Leadership Ambassador for Ghana, representing values of growth, empowerment, and collaboration.
Ekow’s impact has not gone unnoticed. He has been recognised among the 100 Most Influential Young Africans, the 50 Most Influential Young Ghanaians, and the Top 100 Speakers in Ghana.
He is also one of Coca-Cola’s 60 Young Leaders in Ghana and a finalist nominee for the African Leadership Academy Anzisha Prize for the African Entrepreneurship Catalyst Award, sponsored by the MasterCard Foundation. Each recognition affirms what many already know: Ekow Mensah is a catalyst for growth wherever he goes.
Under 40, Ekow Mensah stands as a symbol of purposeful leadership in Africa. His journey reflects consistency, service, and an unshakable belief in African potential.
By building networks, shaping minds, influencing policy, and empowering the next generation, he continues to light paths for others to walk confidently toward success. This is not just a story of achievement, it is the story of a leader who makes people believe again.
