About
Nelson Madiba Amo is an entrepreneurship ecosystem architect and private-sector development thought leader advancing the transformation of entrepreneurial ecosystems across emerging markets.
Who Nelson is
Driven by a belief in the power of people to create a better future, Madiba's work is about turning potential into opportunity. He builds businesses, backs entrepreneurs, develops leaders and creates pathways for people to thrive - from farmers building sustainable livelihoods to young people finding their path. Across Africa, the ambition is simple: to help build an enterprising continent where opportunity is created, shared and passed on.
Since founding Innohub in 2015, Nelson has led the organisation through business scaling initiatives across sectors, including the World Bank-sponsored Ghana Climate Venture Facility, which led to the establishment of Wangara Green Ventures, a climate-focused SME investment platform. He has directed major enterprise development initiatives including the Tullow Agriventures Programme and the MTN Enterprise Support Programme.
He also serves as Executive Director of GBHub Africa, an impact-focused investment entity investing in Africa's food systems to improve livelihoods, and designed the Afram Plains Agropark initiative to unlock the agricultural potential of Ghana's Afram Plains region. He is the President of FarmGate Africa, Diba Leagleship Institute and the DibaSports Group.
What he believes
“Every person carries the creative capacity to address the challenges facing human society. Development work should begin there.”
Inspired by the Imago Dei - the belief that every person bears the image of God.
For Nelson, this is more than a theological idea. It leads to a practical conclusion: build businesses, back entrepreneurs, develop leaders and create institutions that allow people to turn human capacity into livelihoods and shared prosperity.
The name
Nelson draws inspiration from one of Africa's most consequential leaders, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, whose clan name - Madiba - became associated with courage, service, dignity, resilience and the possibility of a better future.
For Nelson, carrying the name is both an inspiration and a reminder: leadership is ultimately about what we build for others. It is an aspiration, not a claim.
Inspired by those who built before us. Building for those who come after us.
The builder
VISIONARY & PRESIDENT · Founded 2015
An enterprise support organisation and impact investment platform helping small and growing businesses pursue scale, investment readiness and jobs. Nelson founded Innohub in 2015 and has led it since, through business scaling initiatives across sectors and markets.
innohub.com.gh →
Executive Director
An impact-focused investment vehicle that invests in Africa's food systems to improve livelihoods. GBHub invests in entrepreneurs with bold solutions demonstrating the potential to transform Africa's food systems, improving access to nutrition and creating jobs for youth and women on the continent.
gbhub.africa →Selected stories
The investor
Nelson's work is not limited to advising entrepreneurs. He puts capital, institutional capacity and networks behind businesses and people with the potential to create real economic and social value.
Through GBHub Africa he leads investment into food systems - SMEs and farmer groups improving nutrition access, livelihoods and jobs. Through Innohub, his work sponsored the Ghana Climate Venture Facility that led to Wangara Green Ventures, a standing platform for the green economy.
In their own lives
Not the programme, the panel or the press release - but whether a founder can hire, a farmer can plan a season, a young leader can carry the next room on their own.
See the impact →Beyond the work
Away from his work, he is a husband and father of four. Family, faith and the responsibility of shaping the next generation remain important parts of the life behind his work.
Football, faith, mentoring and community run through everything else. His work with young footballers began with his own love of the game; his work with young leaders began with the people who invested in him.
Education & credentials
Connect with Nelson to explore ideas, partnerships, speaking opportunities or ways to build something that matters.