Oxford Africa Conference to be held in May

The Oxford University Africa Society has announced the ninth edition of the Oxford Africa Conference, one of Europe’s largest student-led conferences. The conference will be themed “Asserting Africa’s Relevance: Locally, Continentally, Globally” and is set to take place from 17 to 18 May 2019 at Oxford University in the United Kingdom.

Speakers at the conference will include academics, business leaders and students who will be sharing their experiences on topics about the continent. Some of the keynote speakers are Dr Kandeh Yumkella, the former director general of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO); Ms Arumah Oteh, the former vice president and treasurer of the World Bank; and Prof PLO Lumumba, past director and chief executive of the Kenya School of Law. The keynote address will be given by the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi. Other speakers will include Sudanese-British billionaire businessman and philanthropist Mo Ibrahim and banker and financier Aigboje Aig-Imokhuede.

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2019 marks 100 years since the first Pan-African conference, this year’s Oxford Africa Conference team is ready to make #OxAfrica19 one to remember! pic.twitter.com/OWjYDewI2N

— OxAfrica Conference (@OxAfricaCon) February 10, 2019

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According to the press release, the conference will feature 10 panel discussions on topics such as “Amandla! Awethu! Social Movements Challenging the Status Quo for Good Governance” and “3rd Industrial Revolution, 4th Industrial Revolution or OUR own Development Revolution?”

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With an average of 300 guests every year, the conference will feature an Innovation Fair for African innovators. Ten shortlisted candidates who have made a significant positive impact on the continent will be invited to showcase their innovation at the conference.

The Oxford University Africa Society is celebrating its 60th anniversary and has chosen to focus on issues relating to gender inequality and welfare, women’s empowerment and pan-Africanism. The society has been an important platform for African issues and seeks to bring together people from diverse backgrounds who share a “desire for positive change in Africa”.

Happy to finally launch our 2019 conference theme: Asserting Africa’s Relevance, Locally, Continentally, Globally. May 17-18, we hope to see you there! pic.twitter.com/3tuGieQM6M

— OxAfrica Conference (@OxAfricaCon) March 10, 2019