ENOUGH RHETORIC! 

Catalyzing an Era of Concrete Action

Many an African countries have been subjected to blame for development, democratization and economic policies that fall short in their implementation process, which arises from an array of reasons.  Our hope is that by discussing and delivering actionable approaches to tackling issues within Africa, Conference attendees will be able to contribute in meaningful ways as to how to fast track progress.

The 2018 Oxford Africa Conference  aims to examine the current social, political and economic landscape in Africa and provoke more pragmatic ways through which African countries can reposition themselves in relation to these dimensions. The Conference will focus on how to move beyond the rhetoric and bring to the fore contentious organizational, structural and societal issues that are rarely addressed adequately, but collectively are key for the continent’s forward trajectory. Intentionally daring, the theme aims to ensure that the 2018 conference is actionable.

In the spirit of concrete action, the key resolutions of the Conference will be collated and passed on to key decision makers in African institutions such as the African Union (AU) and key regional blocks mainly as Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and East African Community (EAC). In addition, credible think tanks, civil society organisations, and public-private platforms across the continent will be invited to mobilise thought and resources towards solidifying the Conference outcomes. The Oxford Africa Conference invites you to join us on May 18th-19th 2018.

#OxAfrica18

2018 Pre-Engagement Keynote Speaker

 H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo

(President, Ghana)

Nikiwe Bikitsha

(Journalist and Broadcaster)

2018 Innovation Fair Keynote Speaker

C.D. Glin

(President and CEO, USADF)

2018 Conference Keynote Speakers

 Georgina Wood

(Former Chief Justice, Ghana)

 Amina J. Mohammed

(Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations)

Madame Monica Geingos

(First Lady, Namibia)

Linda Mabhena-Olagunju

(Founder & Managing Director, DLO Energy Resources Group (Pty) Ltd)

2018 Panelists

Session: Curbing Unconstitutional changes of Government through Constitutionalism & Citizen Movements

Jason Brickhill

(Legal Expert & Scholar )

Dr. Thompson Chengeta

(Fellow, South African Research Chair in International Law)

Rose Wachuka

(Chief of Staff, Office of the Cabinet Secretary for Education – Kenya)

Moctar Kane

(Programme Manager, CSSF Sahel)

Session: Building our own African Brands from the ground up through Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Moshopyadi Heil

(Founder, Resonance Dynamics)

Ally Angula

(Group Managing Director & Co-Founder, Leap Holdings (Pty) Ltd)

Moses Kanduri

(Co-Founder, ALEXpay)

Zuweina Farah

(Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Kryola)

Thula Sindi

(Fashion Designer, South Africa)

Beryl Agyekum

(CEO, EchoHouse)

Session: Feminism in Africa – Challenges and Prospects to truly empowering Africa’s women

Natasha Kimani

(Lawyer & Academy Fellow, Royal Institute of International Affairs)

Mbalenhle Matandela

(Feminist & Scholar)

Mandipa Ndlovu

(Research Analyst)

Amina Mama

(Professor, University of California)

Session: A Disruptive Digital Revolution – utilizing emerging alternative  technologies to tackle Africa’s challenges

Chika Eze

(Cyber Security Professional)

Alice Newton-Rex

(VP of Product, WorldRemit)

Michelle Chivunga Nsanzumuco

(Regional Advisor (Africa), British Blockchain Association)

Ibrahima Soumano

(Founder & CEO, Senditoo)

Session: Not too Young to Lead – A new generation of Leaders in Party Politics and Elected Public Office

Zuwa Matondo

(Founder, Gov-Enhance Africa)

Nana Ama Dokua

(MP & Deputy Information Minister, Ghana)

Tebogo Thothela

(Assistant Director – Parliamentary, Governance and Constituency, Gauteng Provincial Government (Health)

Fadzayi Mahere

(Advocate/Barrister, Harare Bar)

Session: Shaping an Inclusive Business Landscape:  Foreign Direct Investment for Social Progress & Innovation

Edna Addo

(Business & Management Specialist)

He Liehui

(Chairman, Touchroad International Holdings Group)

C.D. Glin

(President and CEO, USADF)

Madame Monica Geingos

(First Lady, Namibia)

Session: “____” is (un)African. Lifting the rug on LGBTIAQ+ Identity

Tonny Brian Mungai

(Clinician & Public Health Practitioner)

Neville Gabriel

(Chairperson, OSISA)

Wanja Muguongo

(Founding Executive Director, UHAI)

Jonny Steinberg

(Professor of African Studies, Oxford University)

Workshop Session: Fast tracking Universal Health coverage – Innovations for Delivery

Dr Tinashe Chandauka

(Co-Founder & Programming co-lead, Rhodes Incubator)

Dr Efosa Edobor

(Clinician & Public Health Practitioner)

Workshop Session: Rethinking Education –  Skills Development for Employment, Research and Innovation

Dr David Johnson

(Chartered Educational Psychologist)

Workshop Session: Equipping the Individual Actor: Unleashing Creative and Innovative Potential for Impact

Dionne Wilson

(Innovation & Education Expert)

Session: Addressing Mental Health – Africa’s Invisible Epidemic

Kirsten Rowe

(Medical Doctor & Scholar)

Dr. Sivuyile Madikana

(Medical Doctor, South Africa)

Fr Valentine Erhahon

(Catholic Priest & Mental Health Scholar)

Dr. Ethel Nakimuli-Mpungu

(Senior Lecturer, Makerere University)

Session: African Art & Media – Its role in entertainment and public expressions on social and cultural issues

Yasmin Ahmed

(Legal & Media Expert )

Enuma Okoro

(Writer, Editor, Speaker, and Creative Consultant)

Anita Erskine

(Founder & Director, Anita Erskine Media)

Ndumiso Mngomezulu

(Entrepreneur)

Luis Munana

(TV host, Producer, Creative Director and Financial Analyst)

Session: Adapting to Climate Change in Africa – Tackling Financing, Collaboration, Energy Production & Job Creation for resilient development

Simphiwe Laura Stewart

(Co-Founding Director, Environmental Law Assistance Centre)

Shah Jahan Khandokar

(Associate, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP)

Clint Bartlett

(Entrepreneur)

Linda Mabhena-Olagunju

(Founder & Managing Director, DLO Energy Resources Group (Pty) Ltd)

Simon Collings

(Director of Learning and Innovation, Energy 4 Impact)

The Oxford Africa Conference 2018 will be held on May 18th and 19th at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.

REGISTRATION FOR 2018 IS OPEN! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

BUY YOUR TICKET(S) HERE NOW!

Each year, the Oxford Africa Innovation Fair brings together entrepreneurs and innovators tackling challenges in Africa. They participate in networking sessions and a pitch competition for a chance to win cash prizes to further their impact. The 2018 Oxford Africa Innovation Fair is sponsored by the United States African Development Foundation ( USADF)

The U.S. African Development Foundation (“USADF”) is an independent federal government agency established to support African-led development that grows community enterprises by providing seed capital and access to technical support. Partnering with Africans, USADF is answering the development demands from communities one partnership at a time.

2018 Innovation Fair Candidates

MAJIK WATER, KENYA

Harvesting clean drinking water from air in arid and semi-arid areas in Kenya. We have developed a prototype that harvests 10 litres of water in 24 hours in relative humidity of 55%. It uses solar thermal energy and sponge-like desiccant materials to generate water at a low cost, in an energy efficient way.

ECOACT, TANZANIA

Develop a chemical free, energy conserving plastic technology to recycle and transform plastic garbage and packaging materials into durable plastic timbers using unique technology. Plastic timbers are an affordable alternative to wood timbers. They reduce the need for building material manufactured from wood.

UTIVA, NIGERIA

Utiva is solving the problem of unemployment in Sub-Saharan Africa by helping college students and recent graduates acquire relevant skills that employers globally are recruiting for. Our goal is to make sure each graduate is fit for the job market. We are also helping companies in Nigeria access well-trained and high-performing global intrapreneurs and employees.

ZAACOAL, GHANA

Zaacoal is a clean-high energy and long burning (charcoal) made from waste (coconut waste). Uses prevalent, organic coconut husks to create charcoal for household and professional cooking. Packaged in biodegradable, accessible bags to accommodate all personal and business requirements as well as economic limitations. Addresses numerous environmental concerns while burning more efficiently than its alternatives.

GRAINOTHEQUE, IVORY COAST

Grainothèque is a social enterprise that works to increase the productivity of smallholder agriculture and its adaptation to climate change through mobile technologies for preserving seed genetic diversity, integrated pest management, and the valorization of crops, agricultural waste for degraded soils and markets for produce to farmers.

Pre-Engagement: Friday, May 11

Venue: Said Business School

Day 1: Friday, May 18

Venue: Blavatnik School of Government

Day 2 Saturday, May 19

Venue: Blavatnik School of Government