In 2008, Annan joined the
United Nations as an intern and later became a consultant for the UN, mobilising funds and resources for UN projects worldwide. In 2012, she founded Roberta Annan Consulting, re-branded to Annan Capital Partners in 2016 after two years with LJ Africa Advisors.[9]
In 2017, Annan was appointed the Senior Market Liaison for Fieldstone Africa where she led on
business strategy and
marketing. She has served on boards including The Frallain Group, Industrie Africa, Women's Empowerment and Investment Group, and Ghana
France Business Club. She was an adviser to The Rose of Sharon Foundation, by
Nigerian business magnate,
Folorunsho Alakija and The
European Commission Devco Steering Committee for the International Colloquium for the Creative Economy.[10][failed verification][clarification needed]
In 2011, Annan founded the Africa Fashion Foundation (AFF) to support Africa's growing fashion industry.[11] She is the co-founder of the Impact Fund for African Creatives (IFFAC), a €100 million
impact investment fund aimed at supporting Africa's creative and lifestyle industries.[12]
Roberta Annan Consulting was also a franchise owner of the
Miss Universe Pageant from 2011 to 2015, but handed this over to new management after allegations that the contest had not been fairly run.[13][14][15]
Fund raising and philanthropy
Annan has been recognised for fundraising projects including the €100 Million Funds for African Creatives in partnership with UN-ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative.[16]
Annan Capital also raised funds through engagement with
High-net-worth individuals, corporations and foundations for both
non-profit and for-profit initiatives projects from $6MM to $100MM.[17]
During the peak of the
COVID-19 outbreak in
Ghana, WEIG in partnership with Annan Capital Partners and
GUBA, launched the
COVID-19 Stimulus Fund, offering financial prizes to support and invest in female-led enterprises in Ghana.[21][22]
Awards and recognitions
Annan is a member of the
Young President Organization (YPO) and currently the
UNEP Goodwill Ambassador for the Creative Economy, '20 under 40 Influential Business Leaders in Ghana', the "40 under 40 Influential Business Leaders in Consulting" and the "100 Young Influential Africans", "Youngest African ever to be inducted into the African Leadership Hall of Fame".[23][citation needed]