Ahanna Anaba is a trade and finance professional leading global sales and partnerships at Finverity, a UK-based supply chain finance fintech helping banks and lenders close the $2.5 trillion trade finance gap through technology.
She is the Founder of the Women in Trade Network, a community of 600+ senior women across Africa and the global trade ecosystem. Her experience includes managing over $1.3 billion in transactions at Africa’s first digital deal platform, contributing to industry initiatives such as the Trade Finance Conference of Parties (TFCOP) where she serves as Africa Chair, and being recognised as a finalist in the Black British Business Awards.
How did you land your current role? Was it planned?
No this was not my plan, I have two completely unrelated engineering degrees. My first job was as employee number one at a very new fintech, long before I understood what that meant. But I learnt quickly. I read a lot, asked endless questions, and was genuinely curious about how things worked. I realised I enjoyed solving complex problems and making systems work for people. My current role came because I had spent time with the people who would later be users of the solution we now provide globally. I wanted better ways to solve the problems I saw in the market, and I met the founders at the right time.
What are the key roles in your field of work, and why did you choose your current expertise?
I lead sales and partnerships at a small but very fast-growing company. The role demands technical understanding, sales capability, industry depth, and most importantly, the ability to listen to customers and understand their business. I wouldn’t say I chose this expertise deliberately, but these were skills I had built over the years. I’ve worked at start-ups throughout my career, so the ability to operate across functions has always been essential.
What I enjoy most is that technology sits at the centre of everything. You gain a deep understanding of the technology, the commercial model of the industry, how different teams within your customers’ company buy technology, and the needs of their end customer.
Did you (or do you) have a role model in tech or business in general?
Different people shaped different parts of my thinking. My parents have always been the foundation. They modelled hard work, determination, and the belief that being the first in a space is not only possible but expected. Outside of that, I’ve always paid attention to leaders who build things that matter and open doors for others while doing it. Dr Okonjo-Iweala is someone whose journey deeply inspires and motivates me. That said, mentors and peers have had a far greater impact on me. I’ve been lucky to have teams and leaders who shaped my confidence and my trajectory in very practical ways.
What are you most proud of in your career so far?
The Women in Trade Network. It started as a WhatsApp group because I travel across Africa for client work and often found myself in rooms full of men. The few women I met were usually once we got into the actual business discussions. I wanted a way to meet more women as I travelled, and it turned out many others wanted the same. That small group has grown into a real community across multiple countries, and watching it create visibility and connection for women makes me very proud. Alongside that, being recognised as a finalist in the Black British Business Awards is extremely humbling and encouraging. It showed me that the work happening in trade and fintech, often behind the scenes, is being seen.
Have you ever faced insecurities and anxieties during your career, and how did you overcome them?
Yes. It’s hard to walk into certain rooms (often as the youngest person, the only black person, or the only woman) without feeling some level of doubt. What made the biggest difference for me was competence and exposure. The more I understood the work and the rooms, the quieter that internal noise became. I still feel imposter syndrome at times, but I no longer treat it as a limitation. Being in rooms that stretch you is a sign that you’re growing. I treat the discomfort as information and an invitation to grow a little more. It also helps to have people to share your feelings and thoughts with, and to have a community you can learn from.
Entering the world of work can be daunting. Do you have any words of advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed?
Start small. Learn your role properly. Build the habits that make you reliable. Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s midpoint. Stay close to people who want to see you grow. And remember that every career looks more linear in hindsight than it does while you’re building it.
What advice would you give other women wanting to reach their career goals in technology?
Don’t talk yourself out of opportunities before anyone else has the chance to consider you. Women often wait until they meet every requirement before applying for a role, and that hesitation can make our goals feel further away than they are. Take the shot, even if you don’t feel “perfectly” ready. Many skills are learnt and refined on the job, and momentum comes from action, not perfection. Tech rewards initiative. Once I found the right rooms and the right people, the support was there. You just have to be intentional about choosing environments that match your ambition.
What does an average work day look like for you?
There’s no average day. I’m either travelling and meeting clients, in product demos and workshops, speaking at or attending conferences, or in back-to-back Teams and Zoom calls. I always try to start my day before my clients and my teams are online, regardless of timezone, so I can ease in and clear emails or messages and deal with anything urgent. Most of my day is spent in conversations: on the phone, in person, or online. And I spend a surprising amount of time building documents and presentations because communication is a major part of my job.
