With a burgeoning youth population, stabilising political landscape, and an abundance of natural resources, Africa is often hailed as the next global economic powerhouse.

The Oxford Business Forum Africa (http://www.Oxfordbfa.com) will explore the reality of business in Africa and the true opportunities and challenges to starting, consolidating, and scaling businesses there. By learning directly from leading business people working in Africa, the Forum focuses on understanding the interconnected nature of business, the diversity of markets and consumers in African countries, and the innovative approaches business adopt to maximise their impact.  

The theme ‘Unreasonable Africa’ celebrates individuals who are finding solutions and opportunities beyond the expected, who are challenging the status quo, and whose bold visions and decisions have led to exceptional successes.

Key sessions of the Forum will be livestreamed and people all over the world can participate in the discussions by submitting questions to twitter; more information is available here: http://www.APO.af/lIZkl0.

Hosted jointly by Saïd Business School (http://www.SBS.ox.ac.uk), Oxford University, and the Oxford Business Network for Africa, led by current Oxford MBA students, the Forum will convene over 30 speakers from pioneering start-ups, leading financial institutions and corporate companies, NGOs, and government.

Speakers include:

• Trevor Manuel, Former Finance Minister of South Africa
• Dolika Banda, Independent Consultant, and former Managing Director of the CDC Group
• Katlego Maphai, Managing Director of Yoco
• Tara Fela-Durotoye, Founder and CEO of House of Tara
• Ladi Delano, Founder of Grace Lakes Partners
• Colin Coleman, Managing Director of Goldman Sachs
• Doug de Villiers, CEO of Interbrand Africa
• Nonhlanhla Masina, Co-Founder of African School for Excellence
• Akinwole Omoboriowo, CEO of Genesis Electricity
• Joshua Rugema, Managing Director of H20 Venture Partners

The programme and full list of speaker is available here: http://www.Oxfordbfa.com.