Oumou Ali Kone

A Malian economist and gender equality advocate who pioneered financial inclusion programs for West African women

Oumou Ali Kone (born 1972) is a Malian economist whose groundbreaking work in financial inclusion and gender equality has transformed economic opportunities for women across West Africa. As founder of the Women's Financial Empowerment Network (WFEN), she developed innovative microfinance models specifically tailored to the needs of rural women, enabling over 2 million women to access loans and start businesses by 2015. Her 2003 report Unlocking West Africa's Economic Potential Through Women's Leadership became a blueprint for regional policy reforms.

Kone's advocacy led to the creation of the West African Women's Entrepreneurship Fund (WAWEF) in 2008, which has since distributed $120 million in seed capital. Her work in Mali during the 2012 civil conflict demonstrated how financial inclusion programs could stabilize communities, earning her a Nobel Peace Prize nomination in 2016. She currently chairs the African Union's Gender and Economic Development Commission, continuing her mission to bridge the gender economic gap.

Her pioneering approach integrates cultural sensitivity with financial innovation, creating savings groups that align with local traditions while providing formal banking services. This model has been replicated in 14 countries, proving that inclusive economic systems can thrive in regions with high gender disparities. Kone's TED Talk The Currency of Equality (2018) has over 2 million views, spreading her message globally.