Pearl Maphumulo is the Head of Entrepreneurial Leadership at African Leadership Academy, where she leads the vision, strategy, and delivery of entrepreneurial learning across the Academy’s Diploma Program. Through curriculum innovation, experiential learning, venture development, and ecosystem partnerships, she works to equip young African leaders with the mindset, skills, and experiences needed to build solutions, enterprises, and institutions that shape the continent’s future.
Pearl’s work sits at the intersection of entrepreneurship, education, innovation, and ecosystem development. Throughout her career, she has worked to expand opportunities for young entrepreneurs by designing programs, building partnerships, and strengthening the systems that support innovation and enterprise creation. Her experience includes regional entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives across Southern Africa, including work with the World Bank Group supporting startup ecosystem development, youth engagement, and job creation.
In addition to her role at ALA, Pearl serves on the Investment Committee of a Southern Africa-focused pre-seed fund, bringing an investor’s perspective to the development of entrepreneurial talent and ventures. She has also served as a member of South Africa’s G20 Startup20 Trade & Market Access Taskforce, contributing to efforts to improve market access and cross-border opportunities for startups. Her work is driven by a commitment to building the partnerships, systems, and enabling environments that allow African entrepreneurs and ventures to thrive.
