Africa and Middle East
Africa Business Week – 2023
Africa Business Week brings together influential entrepreneurs, researchers, and talented youth from various industries across the continent. With a focus on sustainability, climate change, and AI, this event explores the latest trends and innovations driving the diverse African markets.
Through insightful panel discussions, engaging workshops, and networking opportunities, attendees gain valuable knowledge, foster meaningful connections, and contribute to the continent's transformational journey and Northeastern's commitment to Africa.
Africa Speaker Series
The Africa Speaker Series explores business, social, and developmental issues in this diverse continent with the youngest and fastest-growing population. From time to time, events in this series are co-organized with Northeastern University's Africa Global Initiative.
Women Who Empower Africa
On the occasion of International Women's Day, Northeastern's Africa Global Initiative and the Center for Emerging Markets hosted Women Who Empower Africa. Rania Belkahia, co-founder of Afrimarket, an e-commerce platform for French-speaking West Africa, talked about her entrepreneurial journey on the continent and the next chapter in her engagement with Africa.
Africa Business Conference
Hosted by the Center for Emerging Markets and Northeastern's Africa Global Initiative, the Inaugural Africa Business Conference featured policymakers, CEOs, and experts on the opportunities and challenges of doing business in Africa. Participants heard from Florie Liser, President & CEO, Corporate Council on Africa, Dilip Pal, Chief Finance Officer, Safaricom PLC and Amb. Rama Yade, Senior Director, Africa Center, Atlantic Council.
Nardone Family Seminar Series
Made possible by a gift from David R. Nardone, this seminar series brings scholars and practitioners to Northeastern University to share insights on emerging markets.
Mobile Money in Africa
Jonathan Greenacre, Assistant Professor of Global Development Policy at Boston University, discussed his latest book, “Mobile Money in Africa,” to explain the role of bridge contracts in enabling mobile money technology to spread in Africa and explore implications for the international development community.
Private Equity in Africa
Startups and entrepreneurship are taking off in Africa. Mezuo Nwuneli, Managing Partner at Sahel Capital, who has over 25 years of experience in finance and has invested in several companies in West Africa, discussed the role of private equity in Africa, with examples and insights from food, agriculture, and agribusiness.
Bridge Institutions in Africa
Jonathan Greenacre, Assistant Professor of International Relations at Boston University, discussed the bridge institutions in Africa and how they provide micro-solar energy, clean drinking water, and other services to remote communities in Africa.
Case Studies of Business-Government Scandals in South Africa
Albert Wöcke, Professor of GIBS at the University of Pretoria, spoke about case studies of business-government scandals in South Africa.
A Conversation with Ministers of Bahrain and Indonesia about the Tourism Industry
With vaccinations on the rise and covid restrictions easing across the world, the tourism industry is beginning to recover. Participants joined His Excellency Zayad al Zayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism of Bahrain and Mr. Sandiaga Uno, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of Jakarta, for a discussion on the impacts of a tourism resurgence in a post-pandemic world, featuring our distinguished panel of experts. The event was moderated by Dr. Ravi Ramamurti, University Distinguished Professor and Director, Center for Emerging Markets.
Symposium: Thriving in Volatile Emerging Markets
The Center for Emerging Markets hosted experts from a range of academic and professional sectors during its seventh annual Center for Emerging Markets Symposium, for a discussion on effective strategies in the face of market volatility in emerging economies. Read more.
Has Africa's Time Come?
Stephen Hayes, former President and CEO, Corporate Council of Africa
Report from Middle East
Karim Smadi, Managing Director of REDA Industrial Materials, Dubai