Olori Boye-Ajayi is a visionary leader and catalyst for change, dedicated to driving Africa’s trade transformation and empowering women across the continent. With almost 15 years of experience in trade and investment, women empowerment, and sustainable development, she has established herself as a thought leader and expert in Africa’s structural transformation strategy.
She is an author and a current student at the prestigious Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford, pursuing a Public Policy program. Olori is currently a Member of the Working Group, AfCFTA Trade, and Industrial Development Advisory Council, and serves as a Board Member for Made in Nigeria Commodities Export. In addition to her strategic insights, she has successfully secured funding and trade finance exceeding $1,000,000 for women in the export community and facilitated exports to Australia, the U.S., and the United Kingdom.
Her impact extends beyond her advisory roles. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to women’s empowerment and trade development across the continent, she was recognised as an honoree in the Excellence in Trade and Investment category at the African Achievers Award, 2023 which held at the Palace of Westminster, Houses of Parliament, UK. She was also a finalist for the ‘30 Leading Women in the African Supply Chain Industry in 2023.’ She has been a facilitator, mentor, and a project partner with the Academy for Women Entrepreneur (AWE), a White House initiative to enhance the economic development of female entrepreneurs from 2019 to 2022.
In 2021, she was appointed by the Honourable Commissioner of Trade and Investment of Vanuatu to Nigeria and South Africa to execute the ‘Women in Investment – WINher’ programme. Olori’s influence extends to academia, where she served as a Guest Lecturer at the Lagos Business School, teaching the Executive MBA class on International Trade topics from 2018 to 2022.
Her achievements also include being the first female Ambassador for Afreximbank MANSA Ambassador in Nigeria in 2021 and earning a place in the Top 100 Inspiring Women in Africa Award by Leading Ladies Africa in 2021 and 2023.
Throughout her career, Olori has made significant contributions to trade facilitation and economic growth. As the Managing Director of Borderless Trade, she spearheaded empowerment and trade facilitation programmes for thousands of women entrepreneurs. Passionate about empowering women in business, she founded the Borderless Trade Network Nigeria & Liberia, establishing a network of thousands of women across various industries. Through strategic partnerships, she has delivered impactful workshops, seminars, and capacity- building programs, making a significant impact on these women. Her initiatives have fostered collaboration, networking, and support among women, leading to the achievement of their business goals.