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Oxford University Africa Society, Africa Studies Center, 13 Bevington Road, Oxford (2026)

03/06/2026

Gala Dinner Reflections from the Oxford Africa Conference 2026 ⚪️

As we conclude our reflections on the Oxford Africa Conference 2026, we look back on our Gala Dinner at Rhodes House, where speakers, delegates, partners, sponsors, and members of our community came together to celebrate, connect, and reflect.

Following two days of conversations on leadership, governance, innovation, business, and culture, the evening served as a reminder that lasting impact is built through relationships, collaboration, and shared purpose.

We are especially grateful to Cassava Technologies for making the evening possible as our Gala Dinner sponsor, and to Ahmed El Beheiry, Executive Vice President, Group Chief Operations Officer, and Group Chief Technology & AI Officer at Cassava Technologies, for delivering the Gala Dinner keynote address.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the evening such a memorable conclusion to .

02/06/2026

Panel Reflections from the Oxford Africa Conference 2026 🔵
As we continue reflecting on the conversations that shaped the Oxford Africa Conference 2026, we’re revisiting the ideas, questions, and perspectives that defined this year’s convening.

The Black Coffee Fireside Chat, sponsored by the Africell Impact Foundation, featured the South African Grammy Award winning DJ, record producer, songwriter & entrepreneur whose accolades include eight South African Music Awards, four DJ Awards, two Metro FM Awards, and a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album, with moderation by Simone Osei-Owusu, a DPhil student at the University of Oxford.

The discussion explored leadership, entrepreneurship, creativity, and the growing influence of African talent on the global stage. Reflecting on his journey from South Africa to becoming one of the world's most celebrated artists, Black Coffee shared insights on resilience, discipline, innovation, and building globally competitive African brands.

02/06/2026

Panel Reflections from the Oxford Africa Conference 2026 🔵

As we continue reflecting on the conversations that shaped the Oxford Africa Conference 2026, we’re revisiting the ideas, questions, and perspectives that defined this year’s convening.

Narrating Africa: Arts, Global Influence and the Creative Economy explored how African creatives are shaping global narratives while building businesses, industries, and cultural institutions with worldwide reach.

Featuring Dr King SMADE, Co-Founder of Afro Nation & Founder of SMADE Entertainment Group; Michelle Adepoju, Founder of Kilentar; and Anthony Azekwoh, Digital Artist and Author, with moderation by Nadia Hassan, Visual Storyteller MBA Candidate at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

From music and fashion to digital art and cultural entrepreneurship, the discussion examined how African creatives are transforming cultural influence into economic opportunity, redefining how the continent is seen and understood around the world.

Thank you to our distinguished panellists and moderator for contributing to such a thoughtful and inspiring conversation.

01/06/2026

Panel Reflections from the Oxford Africa Conference 2026 🔵

As we continue reflecting on the conversations that shaped the Oxford Africa Conference 2026, we’re revisiting the ideas, questions, and perspectives that defined this year’s convening.

The Cultural Keynote featured Tiwa Savage, widely regarded as the Queen of Afrobeats, with moderation by Blossom Maduafokwa, MSc African Studies studet at the University of Oxford. Tiwa Savage is a multi award-winning Nigerian singer, songwriter, actress, executive producer, and philanthropist
widely celebrated as one of Africa’s most influential contemporary artists. Her catalog has surpassed well over 1.5 billion streams across major digital streaming platforms and she remains among the most streamed African female artists of all time.

The discussion explored the intersection of culture, creativity, identity, and influence, reflecting on the role of the creative industries in shaping narratives about Africa and expanding opportunities for the continent's next generation.

Drawing on her journey as an artist, entrepreneur, and global cultural ambassador, Tiwa Savage shared insights on resilience, ambition, authenticity, and the responsibility that comes with shaping culture at scale.

Thank you to Tiwa Savage and our moderator for contributing to such an engaging and inspiring conversation.

01/06/2026

Panel Reflections from the Oxford Africa Conference 2026 🔵

As we continue reflecting on the conversations that shaped the Oxford Africa Conference 2026, we’re revisiting the ideas, questions, and perspectives that defined this year’s convening.

Funders & Founders: Building & Scaling in Africa brought together investors, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem builders to explore what it takes to build and scale enduring businesses in Africa amid tighter capital, technological disruption, and fragmented markets.

Featuring Luzana Costa, Partner at Norrsken Africa Seed Fund; Theo Baloyi, Founder and Group CEO of Bathu Group (Pty) Ltd; Adrienne Henderson, Investor at Quona Capital; and Tage Kene-Okafor, Director of Communications at Terra Industries and former TechCrunch journalist, with moderation by Ewerechukwu Asaka, MBA Candidate at Saïd Business School and Program Coordinator for the Oxford Africa Conference 2026.

From venture capital and fundraising to market expansion, storytelling, and technological change, the discussion examined the realities of building businesses that can grow, compete, and endure across the continent.

Thank you to our moderator and distinguished panellists for contributing to such an engaging and insightful conversation.
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31/05/2026

Panel Reflections from the Oxford Africa Conference 2026 🔵

As we continue reflecting on the conversations that shaped the Oxford Africa Conference 2026, we’re revisiting the ideas, questions, and perspectives that defined this year’s convening.

The Presidential Keynote Address featured H.E. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, in conversation with Wantoe Teah Wantoe MPP, MSc, Executive Director of the Centre for African Policy.

The discussion explored the opportunities and challenges shaping Africa’s future, with reflections on leadership, governance, regional cooperation, youth development, and the role of public institutions in advancing long-term development.

Drawing on his experience as Head of State, President Bio offered insights into the realities of governing in a rapidly changing world and the responsibilities of leadership in addressing the aspirations of Africa’s growing and increasingly engaged population.

Thank you to President Bio and moderator for contributing to such an insightful and timely conversation.

30/05/2026

Panel Reflections from the Oxford Africa Conference 2026 🔵

As we continue reflecting on the conversations that shaped the Oxford Africa Conference 2026, we’re revisiting the ideas, questions, and perspectives that defined this year’s convening.

The Ministerial Dialogue on Policymaking brought together senior government leaders from across the continent to discuss the realities of policymaking in an era marked by economic pressure, technological disruption, and rising public expectations.

Featuring H.E. Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning & Economic Development of the Arab Republic of Egypt; H.E. Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Sierra Leone; and H.E. Alpha Bacar Barry, Minister of National Education, Literacy, Technical Education & Professional Training of the Republic of Guinea, with moderation by Bertha Tobias, President of the Oxford Africa Society.

From fiscal resilience and economic transformation to education reform, institutional capability, and implementation under constraint, the discussion explored how African governments navigate competing priorities while pursuing long-term development objectives.

The panel offered a candid look at the gap between policymaking theory and practice, examining what effective leadership requires when difficult decisions must be made amid limited resources, political realities, and urgent public needs.

Thank you to our distinguished ministers and moderator for contributing to such an insightful and timely conversation.

28/05/2026

Panel Reflections from the Oxford Africa Conference 2026 🔵

As we continue reflecting on the conversations that shaped the Oxford Africa Conference 2026, we’re revisiting the ideas, questions, and perspectives that defined this year’s convening.

Sponsored by the Chandler Foundation, Institutions & Anchored Leadership: Realities of Governance in Africa explored the practical realities of governance across the continent, focusing on how leadership is exercised in complex political, economic, and institutional contexts.

Featuring Leslie Tsai, Director of Integrity Programs at the Chandler Foundation; Beauty Emefa Narteh, Executive Secretary of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC); and Hopewell Chin'ono, Independent Journalist & Documentary Filmmaker, with moderation by Muziwethu Y. Ndlovu, MSc (African Studies) Student, University of Oxford & Oxford Africa Conference Fundraising Lead.

From institutional integrity and anti-corruption efforts to accountability, civic leadership, and the role of independent journalism in democratic governance, the discussion examined what grounded and effective leadership requires in moments of political and institutional strain across the continent.

Thank you to our moderator and distinguished panellists for contributing to such a thoughtful and important conversation.

28/05/2026

Panel Reflections from the Oxford Africa Conference 2026 🔵

As we continue reflecting on the conversations that shaped the Oxford Africa Conference 2026, we’re revisiting the ideas, questions, and perspectives that defined this year’s convening.

Powering Africa’s Energy Future explored how African countries are navigating the urgent challenge of expanding energy access while advancing industrialisation, climate resilience, and long-term energy security.

Featuring Riad Meddeb, Head of Decarbonization & Sustainable Energy at the United Nations Development Programme; Dr Rose M. Mutiso, Ph.D., Founder & Executive Director of the African Tech Futures Lab; Shaun Githuku, Co-Head of Business Development at Gridworks; and Shakwa Nyambe, President of the Association of International Energy Negotiators & Managing Partner at SNC Incorporated, with moderation by Haruna (Haroun) Inuwa Inuwa, PhD Candidate in Energy Systems at the University of Oxford.

From grid infrastructure and sustainable energy finance to technological innovation, regional integration, and the realities of implementing equitable energy transitions, the discussion examined what it will take to build resilient and inclusive energy systems across the continent.

Thank you to our distinguished panellists for contributing to such a thoughtful and forward-looking exchange.

27/05/2026

Panel Reflections from the Oxford Africa Conference 2026 🔵

As we continue reflecting on the conversations that shaped the Oxford Africa Conference 2026, we’re revisiting the ideas, questions, and perspectives that defined this year’s convening.

Building Africa’s Technological Future: When Technology Meets Transformation explored how Africa can build the engineering talent, technological capabilities, and capital frameworks needed to power meaningful digital transformation across the continent.

Featuring Sir John Lazar, Co-Founder & Partner at Enza Capital and President of the Royal Academy of Engineering; Ahmed El Beheiry, Executive Vice President, Group COO and Group Chief Tech & AI Officer at Cassava Technologies; and Nathan Nwachuku, CEO & Founder of Terra Industries, with moderation by Dr Watu Wamae PhD Econ, Head of Innovation at Africa Oxford Initiativehe Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx).

From AI and digital infrastructure to engineering ecosystems, capital mobilisation, and the practical realities of scaling technology on the continent, the discussion examined what it will take to build African-led technological transformation at scale.

Thank you to our distinguished panellists for contributing to such a thoughtful and forward-looking exchange.

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03/06/2026

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