11th Annual Cambridge Africa Together Conference: A Platform for Progress

On the weekend of May 9 and 10, 2025, the esteemed city of Cambridge will play host to the 11th Annual Cambridge Africa Together Conference. This significant event promises to bring together more than 250 delegates—a diverse assembly that underscores one of Africa’s most globally engaged forums dedicated to economic power, policy, and political leadership. Run entirely by the passionate members of the African Society of Cambridge University, this student-led initiative has garnered a level of recognition and credibility that few can achieve within academic circles.

The theme for this year, “The Flames of the Big Four, Shining with Many More”, aims to reshape our understanding of African investment trends. Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Egypt, often referred to as the ‘Big Four,’ continue to attract a significant share of foreign direct investment and venture capital. Yet, the organizers of this conference assert that focusing solely on these nations overlooks a remarkable truth: progress is occurring throughout Africa, manifested not only in flashy headlines but also in governance, regional integration, institutional reforms, and innovation.

This conference challenges a common misconception—that power is solely determined by where capital flows. Instead, it strives to provide a more nuanced view of Africa’s potential and capabilities.

The richness of the program speaks to this challenge. Confirmed speakers include luminaries such as His Excellency Ndaba Gaolathe, the Vice President and Minister of Finance of Botswana; Mr. Armando Manuel, Chairman of the Angola Sovereign Wealth Fund; Mrs. Mukwandi Chibesakunda, CEO of Zambia National Commercial Bank; Dr. Patricia Nzolantima, Chairwoman of Bizzoly Holdings; and Mr. Kennedy Agyapong, a prominent Ghanaian business magnate and former Member of Parliament.

Spanning across eight strategic sessions, two thought-provoking keynote addresses, and a spirited inter-university debate, this conference promises to be more than a simple networking event. It is, in fact, a high-level engagement platform meant for serious discourse and collaboration.

The opening keynote, delivered by Vice President Gaolathe, will delve into Botswana’s unique governance and fiscal framework. His insights will focus on how stability, clarity in policy, and long-term discipline can yield significant results—lessons that are especially relevant even for smaller economies.

Several sessions will concentrate on Africa’s business and investment landscape:

• Forging Growth Through Fiscal Transformation will feature Malawi’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Vitumbiko Mumba, weighing in on topics like industrial competitiveness and public finance reform alongside Mr. Armando Manuel.
• New Frontiers in Fintech and Financial Power, with Mrs. Mukwandi Chibesakunda and Mr. Mobolaji Bammeke, Chief Compliance Officer at Flutterwave, will explore how digital finance is revolutionizing Africa’s financial ecosystem.
• Inclusive Investments and the Race to Prosperity, led by Dr. Patricia Nzolantima, aims to spotlight gender-lens investing as a catalyst for economic transformation.

A highlight of the program will be the Ichikowitz Family Foundation Inter-University Africa Debate, a competitive platform for teams from esteemed institutions such as the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, London School of Economics and Political Science, and Imperial College London. This year’s debate will address a provocative motion: “The House Believes Foreign Investment Is Deepening Inequality and Dependency in Africa.” This topic springs from the findings of the Ichikowitz Family Foundation’s 2024 African Youth Survey, which suggests that a staggering 72% of African youth feel that foreign investors exploit the continent’s rich resources for their personal gain.

As investment trends continue to concentrate in the ‘Big Four,’ this debate sparks a necessary dialogue: Is Africa’s increasing reliance on external capital reinforcing inequality and undermining sovereignty under the guise of development?

Other sessions will explore varied dimensions of power. For instance, The Making of Africa’s Future Presidents will feature Mr. Kennedy Agyapong and His Excellency Peter Obi, two recent presidential candidates from Ghana and Nigeria, engaging in discussions about public trust, political ambition, and the weighty responsibilities that come with leadership. Additionally, discussions on Driving Africa’s Health Revolution will feature Professor Tumani Corrah, founder of the Africa Research Excellence Fund, who will delve into the significance of scientific sovereignty. Other topics will encompass crucial issues like governance, regional security, and sustainable infrastructure.

This conference is not merely for show; it epitomizes a working forum—a serious arena for discussion that transcends academic boundaries. What these young organizers have achieved is not just impressive for their age; it has become a significant space that attracts current and future leaders—not as mere spectators, but as engaged participants in meaningful interaction.

For the African leaders who will share the stage, engage in dialogue, and participate in spirited debates, the conference bears an indelible message:

The future is not merely approaching. It is actively being shaped right now.