Maelle Ba

As Communications and External Affairs Advisor at Speak Up Africa, Maelle plays a pivotal role in shaping and steering the organization’s strategic positioning and visibility. She leads high-impact communications, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement initiatives that advance the organization’s mission and amplify its influence across the continent.

Since joining Speak Up Africa in 2014, Maelle has been instrumental in elevating the communications department and driving innovative campaigns that foster multisectoral partnerships. Her work has spanned numerous African countries, focusing on accelerating progress toward gender equality and the elimination of preventable diseases, such as malaria, through powerful storytelling, coalition-building, private sector engagement and cross-sector collaboration.

Maelle brings a strong background in international development and institutional communications, including previous experience with UNESCO’s Regional Office in Dakar. Her academic credentials include dual Bachelor’s degrees in History and English, a Master’s in History and Comparative Civilizations, and an MBA in International Institutions and NGOs Management.

In recognition of her leadership, Maelle was appointed Co-Chair of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria’s Advocacy, Strategic Communications and Resource Mobilization Partner Committee in 2023. That same year, she joined the Advisory Council of 30:12 Inc., contributing her expertise to advancing gender equity and grassroots sports initiatives across Africa.