Amrote Abdella is the Regional Director for Microsoft’s 4Afrika Initiative, a multi-year commitment by Microsoft to actively engage in Africa’s economic development to improve its global competitiveness. Until her appointment in October 2015, Amrote was the Director for Startups Engagement & Partnerships for the 4Afrika initiative. Prior to joining Microsoft, Amrote was in Geneva working with the World Economic Forum as Associate Director for the Africa region where she was responsible for key relationships and strategic initiatives with African governments and business leaders. Prior to the World Economic Forum, Amrote was part of the World Bank in Washington D.C.
working on Access to Finance focusing on Africa. Amrote has also worked with the Global Hunger project and the Grameen Foundation. In her experience she has focused on financial services, policy guidance and economic development for Africa.
She holds a Masters in International Economic Development from the Heller School at Brandeis University in Massachusetts and a BA from Davidson College, North Carolina, USA.