Sherif Ghali
Youth entrepreneurship leader. Policy advisor. Ecosystem builder.
President, Ghana Youth Federation.
Board Member, National Youth Authority.
- I build the systems that turn young people’s ideas into funded, working businesses. My work sits between government, development partners, and youth-led institutions, closing the gap between policy and practice.
80+
Global Speaking Events
200+
Youth Businesses Funded
10+
National & Continental Policies Influenced
19,000+
Youth and Entrepreneurs Engaged
About Sherif Ghali
I set out to build businesses, not advise on policy. A decade in, I’ve learned the biggest constraint on young entrepreneurs in Ghana isn’t talent. It’s the system around them: late funding, no coordination, policy written without their input.
As founding CEO of GCYE and Chairperson of CAYE Africa, I’ve led programmes that fund youth businesses, shape national policy, and bring government and the private sector into the same room, reaching over 19,000 young entrepreneurs across Ghana.
Youth unemployment isn’t a funding problem first. It’s a coordination problem. That’s why I’ve pushed to convert NEIP into a dedicated Youth Entrepreneurship Development Agency, and why I advocate for decentralizing programmes like Adwumawura, so young people outside Accra get the same access as those inside it.
I work with government, not against it, bringing the private sector and youth voice into policy design early.
- Youth Entrepreneurship Development
- Startup Ecosystem Building
- Policy Advocacy & Government Relations
- Public-Private Partnerships
- Fundraising & Grant Management
- Keynote Speaking & Thought Leadership
Trusted By:
What I Do
I support youth development through policy, enterprise growth, and institutional reform. Three things guide the work: build the systems young entrepreneurs need, get government and the private sector aligned on how to deliver them, and make sure funding reaches the people it is meant for.
Focus areas
Proven Impact
Impact
Policy Advocacy
- Ghana Youth Policy
- Ghana Innovation & Startup Bill (GISB)
- YELI: Young Entrepreneurs Leave Initiative
- Public-Private Dialogue Forums
Entrepreneurial Support
- YESS Fund
- Student Entrepreneurs Programme (STEP)
- APPENT – Apprenticeship to Entrepreneurship
- Young Females Entreprenuers Programme (YoFEP)
Institutional Building
- Ghana Youth Federation
- Ghana Chamber of Young Entreprenuers (GCYE)
- Youth Dashboard
- yecSpace
- GhaTech
- Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entreprenuers - Africa (CAYE Africa)
Funding & Partnerships
- Secured over GHS 10 million in funding to support youth entrepreneurship programs, projects, and youth-led businesses
- Built strategic partnerships with international development organizations
- Grant writing and fundraising across government and donor channels
Speaking and Engagements
I have spoken at over 80 national and international events, including policy dialogues, ministerial meetings, and presidential engagements. Every talk makes the same case: youth entrepreneurship is not a side programme. It is core economic strategy.
CHOGM - Commonwealth Youth Forum
Africa Startup Conference
International Youth Day
Ghana
DR Startup Act Conference
DR Congo
Africa-German Young Leader in Business
Berlin – Germany
Youth Konnect Africa
Rwanda
Smart Africa Summit 2023
Zimbabwe – Victoria falls
The West Africa Business Forum
Nigeria, Lagos
Panel Discussion on Empowering African Women and Youth to spur Africa’s transformative agenda
Boards and Committees
I serve on several boards and technical committees across government and civil society. Each seat gives me a direct channel to shape policy before it is written, not react to it after.
Advisory Board Member – Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment
Shaping youth policy, enhancing coordination, and guiding programmes that drive entrepreneurship, innovation, and empowerment.
Board Member – National Youth Authority Board (NYA)
Spearheading the formation of the Ghana Youth Federation.
Co-chairperson – Ghana Startup Bill Technical Committee
Leading the technical committee responsible for drafting and implementing Ghana's Startup Bill to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
Member – Ghana Inlcusive Business Technical Working Committee
Leading youth engagement on the National Inclusive Business Committee and supporting the selection and accreditation of inclusive businesses.
Co-chairperson – Impact Drive Return Steering Committee
Responsible for selecting and certifying Inclusive Business Coaches.
Co-chairperson – Mastercard-WUSC ACTIVATE Project Advisory Committee
Providing advisory support to the national project team leading the implementation of the ACTIVATE project, with a focus on empowering women in the agriculture and TVET sectors.
Member – Ghana Business Regulatory Reform Committee
Advising Government on reforms to improve Ghana's business regulatory environment, particularly for young entreprenuers and startups.
Member - NEIP–World Bank Hubs Grant Committee
Overseeing the allocation of grants to entrepreneurship hubs across Ghana under the NEIP-World Bank partnership.
Annual Private Sector Leaders Dialogue with President
Participating in high-level discussions with Ghana's President on private sector development and youth entrepreneurship.
Board Member – YepAfrica
Guiding the strategic direction of this pan-African youth empowerment platform.
Awards and Recognition
Recognition follows the work, not the other way round. These are the honours that have come from a decade spent building youth entrepreneurship systems in Ghana and across Africa.
2025 – Young Achiever of the Year
Head of State Award
2024 – Royal African Young Leaders Award
Royal African Young Leaders Awards. Lagos, Nigeria
2024 – Unique Star Achiever Award
Y-PES Awards
2024 – Young Entrepreneur of the Year
National Youth Authority’s Youth and Mentors Achievers Awards
News & Updates
Sherif Ghali Appointed to Adwumawura Programme Grant Management Committee
Sherif Ghali, President of the Ghana Youth Federation (GYF) and Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs (GCYE), has been appointed to
Sherif Ghali appointed to the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment’s Advisory Board
On Monday, 10 November 2025, I had the honour of being inaugurated as a member of the Ministerial Advisory Board for the Ministry of Youth
Sherif Ghali Honored by UCC Atlantic Hall for Championing Youth Entrepreneurship
On April 18, 2025, I had the distinct honor of addressing the University of Cape Coast’s Atlantic Hall Leadership and Entrepreneurship Summit as Guest Speaker.
Ghana Launches Bold Agenda to Reform Business Environment for Youth and Women
Ghana has launched a new National Business Agenda (NBA) aimed at dismantling barriers to entrepreneurship for youth and women.
Government urged to engage young entrepreneurs in startup programmes
Accra, May 21, GNA – Mr. Sheriff Ghali, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs, has urged the Government to engage the
Inclusive business models key to Ghana’s agribusiness growth – Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs
As Ghana continues its journey toward economic transformation, the role of agribusiness has taken center stage. Amid these developments, the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs,
Some High Level Engagement
Convo with King Charles at Buckingham Palace in London
Join the Current President of Ghana to launch the 1 million coders programme for youth
Receiving a Presidential Award at 2024 Head of State Awards
Been Sworn in As New member of the National Youth Authority Board - 2025
Videos
Work With Me
For speaking, advisory work, partnerships, or media engagement.
Office Location
Block 205, 21 Jordan Street, Madina Estate, Accra
info@sherifghali.com
Alternative Email
shefghali@gcyegh.org
For speaking engagements, please include details about your event, audience, and preferred topics in your message