Maxine Moffett Lako
Founder and CEO, Bridge Africa Ventures

Maxine Moffett is a global citizen, entrepreneur, and development strategist passionate about leveraging technology to drive inclusive growth. Born in Aurora, Illinois, her journey into international development began as a Rotary Exchange student in Zimbabwe, where she spent her senior year of high school, an experience that profoundly shaped her worldview and ignited her commitment to cross-cultural collaboration.

A lifelong learner, Maxine holds a Bachelor’s in Communications from Howard University, where she later earned the prestigious US Fulbright Scholarship, enabling her to conduct research in Cameroon on the transformative role of ICTs in solving development challenges. This work inspired her to found Bridge Africa Ventures in 2015, a tech company dedicated to bridging innovation gaps across emerging markets. She further honed her expertise with a Master’s in Community and Economic Development from Penn State University.

With over a decade of experience advancing digital financial inclusion and economic productivity, Maxine has spearheaded high-impact initiatives across Africa. She partnered with IFAD to digitize 750 agricultural businesses in Cameroon and collaborated with the Cameroonian government to craft a national e-commerce strategy for the handicraft sector. Her thought leadership has also led to advisory roles with institutions such as the United Nations, the World Bank, Senator Barack Obama’s office, and multiple African governments.

Driven by the belief that technology can democratize opportunity, Maxine continues to champion sustainable development through innovation, policy, and strategic partnerships.