Joy Francis

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Dr. Joy Smart Francis is a distinguished global leader renowned for her unparalleled expertise in spearheading transformative initiatives that drive sustainable development in Africa. She is the dynamic Executive Director of Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (A.Y.E) Organization, orchestrating initiatives that empower entrepreneurs and stimulate economic growth. She is also the Executive Director of Strategy and Business Development, at UniCloud Africa Company, the continent’s first and leading truly pan-African cloud platform.

Additionally, Dr. Joy holds a key role as Director, Initiatives, Sustainability, and Partnerships at Africa's Silicon Valley – The Entrepreneurship Village, a groundbreaking $500-million project located in Nigeria, pioneering innovation, driving education, enhancing technology, unleashing creativity, and fostering an entrepreneurial enabling eco-friendly environment.

She is a member of the Global Entrepreneurship Festival Event Board, a Sub-Committee member for Delegates Engagement, Women In Management, Business & Public Service (WiMBIZ), a Member of, the Steering Committee for the CAPSI - MasterCard Project, and a Mentor, to so many budding female entrepreneurs across the continent.
She owns A107 Fashion, Art and Beauty Gallery, the foremost unisex salon in Nigeria that curates’ art, fashion, and beauty exquisitely, and also Business Takeoff Services which provides business advisory and support to MSMEs. She was a director for 3 years at the Entrepreneurs TrustFund, a fintech company that operates an online cooperative.

Joy has garnered over 20 years of work experience in strategy and execution, business development, social impact, experiential marketing, sales, advertising, branding, PR, and real estate development. She holds an Honorary Doctorate in Business Development and Social Impact from Highstone University, Texas, USA, complementing a robust foundation of a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Management.

Joy convenes the Pray with Joy online Ministry with over 250,000 followers and over 5.5m views. Grounded in the belief that her achievements manifest divine grace, Joy remains anchored in her faith, guided by the resounding affirmation, "I am what I am, by the Grace of God."