Shirley Somuah is Driving Economic Growth in Africa by Backing Local Businesses and Empowering Youth

She plays a key role in identifying promising companies, providing capital, and supporting them to scale sustainably.

 

Her work is grounded in a clear mission—to help build strong African businesses that create jobs, improve livelihoods, and drive long-term economic growth across the continent.

Shirley brings over ten years of experience in investment and management consulting.

 

Before becoming a partner at CCA, she served as a Vice President in the Principal Investments team at CardinalStone Partners.

 

Earlier in her career, she was a consultant at Oliver Wyman, working from offices in New York and Dubai. In that role, she advised both government and private sector clients across North America, the Middle East, and Africa.

 

This global exposure helped her understand different economic models and sharpen her ability to apply those insights to African markets.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University and an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.  

Beyond her corporate role, Shirley is deeply committed to solving one of Africa’s most pressing challenges—youth unemployment.

 

She is the board chair of West Africa Vocational Education (WAVE), a nonprofit organization that trains young people with practical skills to help them find and keep jobs.

 

Under her leadership, WAVE continues to bridge the gap between education and employment in West Africa.

Her investment philosophy is not just about financial returns—it’s about development.

 

She believes that well-run businesses in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and education can help address Africa’s systemic challenges while also generating profit.

 

At CCA, she supports businesses that are working to solve everyday problems for African people. By doing this, she helps unlock the potential of local entrepreneurs and builds stronger economic systems from the ground up.

Shirley has received recognition for her leadership in private equity and her commitment to social impact.

 

In 2021, she was named among the 100 Most Influential Women in Africa by Avance Media. She is also a member of the Boardroom Africa network, which supports female representation in decision-making spaces across the continent.