Emanuela is an Economist at the Department of Gender, Women and Civil Society Organizations at the African Development Bank. Emanuela has in-depth experience in SMEs finance, funding mechanisms, impact investments and cultural and creative industries.  In this position, she spearheads the Bank’s engagement in the Cultural and Creative Industries, notably through the roll out of the Fashionomics Africa, an initiative that aims to provide a platform for the most exclusive Made-in-Africa creations . Additionally, she provides technical advisory services to national (African) governments and the African Union on funding mechanisms for the cultural and creative industries, and advises on policy dialogue, notably on the “Pan African Fashion Initiative”. Emanuela holds a Master’s degree in Economics from La Sapienza University (Rome) and a specialisation on SME finance from the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, and in circular economy in fashion from the Circular Economy Institute.