Our Woman To Watch Josephine C. M. Faal is a trailblazing Development Economist, businesswoman, and writer; breaking barriers in global trade and women’s economic empowerment.
With extensive experience in multilateral development organisations and government programmes across the EU and Africa, she has worked on key initiatives driving regional integration, economic growth, poverty reduction, and gender equality in development strategies. Passionate about creating real opportunities for women in business, Josephine has become a powerful voice in the movement to narrow the gender gap in global trade.
As the Founder and CEO of Development Round Table Ltd, Josephine has built a platform that empowers women to navigate the challenges of international trade. Her work is rooted in four key pillars—access to finance, information, skills, and markets—ensuring that women have the tools they need to thrive. Under her leadership, Development Round Table is shaping conversations and driving solutions that open doors for women in the global economy.
This year, Josephine hosted the Development Round Table’s inaugural International Women’s Day (IWD) Gala Dinner 2025, launching the organisation’s annual IWD program. This milestone event successfully brought together business leaders, industry experts, policymakers, financial institutions, and women entrepreneurs to inspire, recognise, and mobilise women in global trade. Through engaging discussions, success stories, and actionable strategies, the Gala Dinner served as a catalyst for change, advancing gender equality in international markets and empowering women to lead, innovate, and thrive on the global stage.
Beyond development, Josephine is the Founder, Creative Director, and Executive Producer of Fit for a First Lady TV, an export-focused fashion reality TV show. This groundbreaking series creates pathways for emerging designers of African heritage, helping them bring African-inspired fashion to global markets. In summer 2025, Josephine and her team will produce Season One, featuring six contestants from Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia. Each designer will be challenged to create a one-of-a-kind ball gown for the First Lady of their country, imagining her attendance at the Royal Diplomatic Ball in the UK.
With its unique concept and cross-cultural appeal, Fit for a First Lady TV is poised to captivate audiences worldwide, from fashion enthusiasts and African youth to global First Ladies and renowned fashion brands. The show’s built-in viral effect ensures it will naturally spark international conversations, trending across social media, fashion circles, and diplomatic communities. Josephine’s vision is clear—she is turning talent into global success stories, ensuring that minority designers receive the recognition, visibility, and opportunities they deserve.
In addition to her work in trade and fashion media, Josephine is also a published author. Her debut novel, My Mother’s Son, which paints a poignant picture of the complexities of human relationships and the internal conflicts individuals face when confronted with life-altering choices. The story explores themes of love, sacrifice, societal expectations, and the resilience of the human spirit. It immerses readers in the vibrant setting of Lusaka, Zambia, capturing the cultural nuances and challenges faced by the characters.
Across global trade, fashion export, media, and literature, Josephine’s work continues to inspire and drive meaningful change. Through her visionary leadership in closing the gender gap in international trade, her pioneering efforts with Fit for a First Lady TV, and her impactful storytelling, she is creating new pathways for empowerment, innovation, and social progress. Josephine’s ability to bridge cultures, advocate for underserved communities, and challenge the status quo has made her a catalyst for positive change.
As she empowers women and minority groups to thrive in global markets, she is also paving the way for a more inclusive, dynamic future across international fashion business and culture. It is this dedication to empowering women and amplifying untold stories that makes her a woman to watch in development, trade, fashion business & export, and media.
Josephine holds a master’s degree in Regional Integration and Development from the Vrije Universiteit Brussels and a Business Management Degree from the University of Maryland University College. She lives in the United Kingdom, where she continues to advocate for women and youth entrepreneurship in the Fashion Industry, particularly emphasising enhancing access to finance and markets.
Josephine can be reached here/
https://www.facebook.com/JCMFAAL
https://www.instagram.com/josephinefaal
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephinefaal
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