Multi-Dimensional Social Entrepreneur & Founder of Rise Networks, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji will on Friday, May 20, 2016 engage academics, thought leaders and students in a discussion on “Business and Social Enterprise in Africa as the new Agents of Development” at the Oxford University Africa Conference in London.

The Oxford Africa conference with the theme, “Challenging Narratives: Governance, Youth Leadership and Business”, is the leading interdisciplinary conference on Africa delivered by a team of Oxford students. The conference brings together heads of state, policymakers, business leaders, academics, artists, students, and professionals to critically expand the discourse on Africa. The Oxford Africa Conference is one of the largest and most globally recognised African conferences of its type, organised by the long-established Oxford Africa Society. The event is a solely student-led initiative that convenes 500 delegates and 60 speakers on an annual basis.

News Express learnt that the African Young Leader will share ideas on the importance of new thinking about an international Africa across all disciplines – politics, business, arts, entrepreneurship, leadership, technology and academia – connecting inter-generational leaders from around the world to shape an integrated and innovative perspective on African issues.

Toyosi is a firm believer that the vast untapped potential of Africa’s youth is the continent’s biggest resource. She has just being recently named by FORBES as one of the 20 most powerful young women in Africa, has a track record of high performance and international impact within the youth and education development space and continues to inspire and empower a new generation of young Africans to think out of the box, create wealth and ultimately take over the reins of leadership on the continent from the standpoint of integrity and responsibility.

As part of the conference, 10 young innovators from across Africa have been invited to showcase their work in Oxford. The innovators are early to mid-stage start-ups, non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations that have got an innovative solution to a pressing problem. They will come to the Conference to attend a professional skills training session, network with other innovators and delegates, and pitch their idea, with the chance of winning a £2,000 cash prize and Toyosi would also be a mentor for the Oxford Africa Conference Innovation Fair.

Other Speakers at the two-day landmark event include Elsie Kanza, Head of Africa of the World Economic Forum; Jason Chukwuma Njoku, Iroko TV; Lord Michael Hastings CBE, Director of Global Citizenship at KPMG; Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive of Oando PLC; Dr. Christine Glanz, Programme Specialist, UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning; and Vivian Onano, distinguished youth activist and member of the UN Women Global Civil Society Advisory Group. There is also Mthuli Ncube, Professor of Public Policy at the Oxford University Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, as well as other respected scholars, business and political leaders from across the globe.

•Photo shows Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji.

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