Oxford Africa Business Alliance

A partnership between our faculty, students, alumni and Oxford Saïd, created to formalise and strengthen our Africa initiative. Through our annual Forum we are able to bring African thought-leaders together to talk on the opportunities on the continent.

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Our Team

A smiling young man wearing glasses, a brown plaid suit, a dark blue shirt, and a colorful patterned tie. He has a small flag pin on his lapel and is standing against a white background with a black curved detail in the top left corner. 
Ayomikun Ayodeji

Co-Director, Africa Forum

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A woman with glasses and long braided hair, smiling and wearing a navy blue vest over a white shirt. 
Gathoni Mwai

Co-Director, Africa Forum

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A woman with curly blonde hair, wearing hoop earrings and a black top, standing against a white wall. 
Elim Shanko

Co-Director, Africa Forum

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A smiling man in a black zip-up jacket and white collared shirt against a blue background. 
Mohammed Fadel Semane

Co-Director, Africa Forum

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Black woman with braided hair wearing a blazer and large earring, looking contemplatively at the camera in a studio portrait. 
Blessing Abeng

Co-Chair, Africa Alliance

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A smiling man in a dark blue suit and white shirt standing outdoors in an urban setting. 
Yousif Yahya

Co-Chair, Africa Alliance

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  • “As technology and geopolitics rewrite the rules of growth, Africa remains one of the most compelling frontiers on the planet. This Forum calls us to seize this moment: to move beyond securing a seat at the table toward shaping the global agenda and to define new models of prosperity rooted in our demographics, innovation, and ambition to lead. Let’s build Africa’s future, on Africa’s terms.”

    - Ayomikun Ayodeji, 2026 Africa Forum Co-Director

  • "The forum captures a pivotal moment for the continent as it navigates rapid digital transformation alongside shifting global power dynamics. The theme challenges reliance on external models by asking how Africa can build solutions that work for its own contexts. It will involve rethinking growth models that are resilient, inclusive, and innovation-driven."

    - Gathoni Mwai, 2026 Africa Forum Co-Director

  • "This year’s theme centres on the intentional design of sustainable systems that reflect Africa’s priorities and realities. The Forum explores how policy, capital, and organisational leadership can work in closer coordination to support development that is resilient, inclusive, and built to last. At its core, the theme is about creating conditions for long-term value creation by aligning growth with sustainability and grounding ambition in systems that serve people and economies over time."

    - Elim Shanko, 2026 Africa Forum Co-Director

  • "The forum’s theme reflects the urgent need for African-led strategies that respond to technological disruption while navigating an evolving global order."

    - Mohamed Fadel Semane, 2026 Africa Forum Co-Director

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"The Alliance serves as a convening platform for rigorous, forward-looking dialogue on business, investment, and entrepreneurship in Africa. By bringing together faculty, students, and alumni, we blend academic insight with practitioner experience to navigate the unique nuances and opportunities of doing business on the continent."

- Maame Appiah-Korang, Head of Initiatives, Said Business School