Mo Ibrahim

Challenges in African governance, leadership & democracy

Join #KAPTalks with the philanthropist and businessman Mo Ibrahim on 19th March on governance, leadership and democracy in Africa. Register here to attend the event online or in Gothenburg.

Tuesday 19.03.2024

The upcoming elections throughout Africa in 2024 present a critical juncture for democratic processes across the continent. 17 African countries will hold elections, with over 180 million people eligible to vote. Electoral integrity monitoring, a free press, civil society organisations and an independent electoral commission are essential in holding political actors accountable.

In many countries, almost half the populations are too young to vote. While Africa has the youngest population in the world, the continent’s level of education and training lies far below the global average.

Governance and leadership lie at the heart of any tangible and shared improvement in the quality of life of African citizens.

Established in 2006, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation focuses on on defining, assessing and enhancing them through a series of concrete initiatives, such as the establishment of an Index of African Governance and the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership.

Join #KAPTalks with Dr. Mo Ibrahim, founder of the Foundation, to explore recent political developments in Africa and the role of the Foundation’s groundbreaking activities in shaping the effects. The talk will also focus on the causes and effects of recent developments in West Africa, characterized by a series of military coups and increasing internal conflicts in a number of states.

Hosted by School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg.

The Kapuscinski Development Lectures is an initiative funded by the European Commission.

When: 19th March 2024 at 14:00 CET / 13:00 GMT

Where:  Handelshögskolan, School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg Vasagatan 1, Gothenburg

You can join the lecture by:

  • coming to the event or joining online on Zoom – register here
  • following livestreaming from the event at kapuscinskilectures.eu
  • asking your questions to Mo Ibrahim via X using #KAPTalks hashtag

Organized in partnership with:

Dr Mo Ibrahim is the Founder and Chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, which he established in 2006 to support good governance and exceptional leadership on the African continent. Sudanese-born, Dr Ibrahim has a distinguished business career. In 1989 he founded Mobile Systems International (MSI), a world leading cellular consulting and software provider, and in 1998, Celtel International, one of Africa’s leading mobile telephone companies which pioneered mobile services in Africa.

Dr Ibrahim is also Founding Chairman of Satya Capital Limited, a private investment firm primarily focused on Africa. Dr Ibrahim has received numerous honorary degrees and fellowships from a range of prestigious academic institutions including University of Birmingham, Bradford University, De Montfort University - Leicester, Imperial College - London, London Business School, Oxford University, Royal Academy of Engineering, SOAS - University of London, University of Pennsylvania and Lancaster University.  Dr Ibrahim is also the recipient of a number of awards including The GSM Association’s Chairman’s Award for Lifetime Achievement (2007), The Economist Innovation Award for Social & Economic Innovation (2007), BNP Paribas Prize for Philanthropy (2008), Oslo Business for Peace Award (2009), Raymond Georis Prize for Innovative Philanthropy in Europe (2010), Clinton Global Citizen Award (2010), the Millenium Excellence Award for Actions in Africa (2012), the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award (2012), the Africare Leadership Award (2013), the Kiel Institute Global Economy Prize (June 2013), the Eisenhower Medal for Distinguished Leadership and Service (May 2014), the Foreign Policy Association Medal (June 2014), International Republican Institute (US) Freedom Award (2015), Danish CSR Honor Prize (2015), David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award (2017). Dr Ibrahim was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to charity and philanthropy. Dr Ibrahim is the Co-founder and Co-chair of the Africa Europe Foundation, which was launched in 2020 to reset and bolster Africa-Europe relations.

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