Thursday 15 October 2026
07:45
Prof David Luke; Joe Studwell; Ronak Gopaldas
Africa: too big to ignore?
Africa’s vast mineral reserves, fertile land, and rapidly growing population now sit at the centre of global economic stability. The world’s clean‑energy transition, food security, and labour markets all depend on African inputs. The real challenge is how African governments translate this structural leverage into strategic influence, investment, and prosperity. Join us for a conversation with David Luke, Joe Studwell, and Ronak Gopaldas — who will unpack how Africa’s choices today will shape the world tomorrow.
David Luke is professor in practice and strategic director at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa at LSE, specialising in African trade policy and trade negotiations, and award winning editor of ‘How Africa Trades’.
Joe Studwell is a journalist, published speaker and author, most recently of ‘How Africa Works: Success and Failure on the World’s Last Developmental Frontier’.
Ronak Gopaldas is a political economist, ‘pracademic’, writer, and speaker whose work focuses on the intersection of (geo)politics, economics, and business in Africa.
'Challenges outdated narratives and makes a compelling case for the continent's economic potential'
Globally acclaimed Africa specialists
David Luke is professor in practice and strategic director at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa at LSE, specialising in African trade policy and trade negotiations, and award winning editor of ‘How Africa Trades’.
Joe Studwell is a journalist, published speaker and author, most recently of ‘How Africa Works: Success and Failure on the World’s Last Developmental Frontier’.
Ronak Gopaldas is a political economist, ‘pracademic’, writer, and speaker whose work focuses on the intersection of (geo)politics, economics, and business in Africa.