Leah Banda, Head of Market Development & Public Relations (UAE), Invest Africa

With a career spanning Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Leah Banda is a trusted strategic communications, marketing and public relations leader, recognised for shaping narratives that support investment, partnership and institutional credibility. Purpose driven in her approach, she aligns strategy, reputation and stakeholder engagement to advance long term strategic and commercial priorities.

As Head of Market Development and Public Relations for Invest Africa in the UAE, Leah leads engagement across government, financial institutions, development partners and multinational corporates. She plays a central role in positioning Invest Africa as a trusted bridge between African markets and the UAE, fostering dialogue that translates into practical collaboration, capital flows and sustained partnerships.

Leah brings senior leadership experience across Africa and the UAE, spanning the financial and logistics sectors, with a strong track record in digital adoption and enterprise transformation. Her career includes leadership roles with RAKBANK, Emirates Post Group, Noor Bank, Standard Bank and BancABC, part of Atlas Mara, working with leadership teams and cross functional stakeholders across both regions. Alongside her professional work, Leah holds board level advisory roles with Evolvin’ Global and Kutafiti, reflecting a personal commitment to social enterprise.