PfAL 15
Meet the 2025-26 cohort
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Adeoye Adeniji
MSc. Environment and Development
Adeoye Adeniji is a sustainability professional with work experience that cuts across climate research, ESG, and Geographic Information Systems. Prior to his MSc at the London School of Economics (LSE), he worked in climate and development impact advisory, supporting Environmental and Social Management System development across diverse sectors and contributing to impact assessments for large-scale infrastructure and development projects in West Africa.
At LSE, he is deepening his understanding of environmental problems and development interventions, with particular attention to the decarbonisation of Nigeria’s electricity sector and the role of sustainable finance in shaping development outcomes. He is passionate about advancing sustainable development in Africa.
Agnes Nmabila Azalimah
MSc International Social and Public Policy
Agnes Nmabila Azalimah is an MSc student in International Social and Public Policy at the London School of Economics and a member of the 2025 Programme for African Leadership cohort. She holds a BA in International Relations from Knox College, graduating cum laude. She is also a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society.
Her work focuses on mental health, gender equality, and social justice, with a particular interest in how policy affects women and young people across African contexts. She has experience in research, advocacy, and youth engagement in Ghana, the UK, and the United States. Agnes is committed to building fair systems that protect dignity, promote wellbeing, and centre women’s voices.
Aisha Agboluaje
MSc Social and Public Communication
Aisha Agboluaje is a marketing and communications professional specialising in brand strategy, market entry, and reputation management. She runs Olewa Advisory, supporting global and local brands to deliver marketing mix strategy and manage execution.
She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Social and Public Communications within the Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, to substantiate her growing focus on political marketing and how African governments can use public messaging to strengthen public trust and improve service delivery. Outside of work, Aisha enjoys philosophy, travel, and the consumer goods business.
Aissatou Conde
MSc Public Policy and Administration
Aissatou Conde is a Chevening Scholar and MSc Public Policy and Administration candidate. With over five years of experience in the international development sector managing multi-million-dollar portfolios in governance, health, agriculture, and economic growth, advancing localization and institutional capacity-building.
Her work reflects a commitment to transparent resource allocation, effective policy implementation, and inclusive development. She aspires to leverage her knowledge to contribute to governance reforms, policy innovation, and public sector leadership in Guinea.
Alexandra Hayden
MSc Health and International Development
Alexandra grew up in South Africa and is currently pursuing an MSc in Health and International Development with a specialism in Environment at LSE. She holds an MA in Cognitive Science from the University of Edinburgh. During her tenure at Edinburgh, Alexandra co-founded Prosper Social Finance, the UK’s first student-run, socially responsible investment fund.
Prior to LSE, Alexandra spent 5 years working as a Strategy Consultant for Accenture Development Partnerships, supporting some of the world's largest NGOs, foundations and government aid agencies across organisational and programmatic activities. Alexandra is passionate about the intersections of health, climate, and sustainable livelihoods and aims to leverage her multidisciplinary expertise to drive tangible impact across Africa.
Alinaswe Lusengo
MSc Media, Communication & Development
Alinaswe Lusengo is a journalist and media professional with a strong interest in geopolitics, particularly through an African lens. Her work explores how global power dynamics shape political, economic and social realities across the continent, centring African perspectives in international debates. She is passionate about intersectional feminism, and her reporting often examines the intersections of gender, race, sexuality and power.
Alinaswe has worked for prominent publications in Africa, including Daily Maverick, where she covered identity politics, youth movements and democratic processes. She is currently pursuing her MSc in Media, Communications and Development, further deepening her engagement with global institutions, development discourse and media power. With a background in Media and Politics, she combines analytical rigour with accessible storytelling and aims to situate Africa at the heart of global geopolitical conversations.
Aneesa Ndiaye
MSc in Health and International Development
Aneesa Ndiaye is pursuing an MSc in Health and International Development, building on a BA in International Affairs from the University of Georgia. During her time at LSE, she has developed an interest in digital health systems and their implementation across West Africa. She is particularly focused on understanding how national policies translate into practice at the facility level, with an emphasis on strengthening health systems and improving equitable access to care.
Aneesa hopes to contribute to the creation of more effective and inclusive health systems at the intersection of policy, technology, and service delivery.
Apophia Kaihangwe
MSc International Social and Public Policy
Apophia K. Kadunguri is a Social Scientist with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from Makerere University. Prior to joining LSE, she worked with the Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Unit. In this role, she collaborated with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, and other stakeholders to investigate menstrual health and sleep-related challenges among adolescent girls in secondary schools. Her work contributed to the development of evidence-based recommendations aimed at informing policy and practice.
Apophia’s academic and professional interests centre on shaping policies, women empowerment, intersectionality and gender-based violence. She is passionate about research and capacity-building as tools to tackle Africa’s most pressing health challenges. Her long-term ambition is to collaborate with organisations aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 5—good health and well-being, and gender equality—amplifying the voices of disadvantaged populations and driving evidence-informed change across Africa and beyond.
Asma Khelil
MSc Political Economy of Europe in the World
Asma Khelil studies MSc Political Economy of Europe in the World. She holds a dual bachelor degree in Political Science and Economics from Brussels. Her interests focus on politics, governance, and ethics in international cooperation. Her dissertation studies EU Africa partnerships through governance quality, policy efficiency, and institutional communication.
Outside academic work, Asma spends time reading novels and enjoys writing as a side hobby. She also loves going to the cinema and the theatre, and values time with family and friends. Feel free to contact her if she can help you with a project, discussion, or collaboration.
Asresach Asferaw
MSc. International Public Policy (Migration Stream)
Asri Asfera is from Ethiopia and is an MSc International Social and Public Policy (Migration stream) candidate at LSE. She holds a BA in Social Research and Public Policy and Anthropology from New York University.
Her work focuses on migration governance, labour rights, and climate-related displacement, particularly in relation to African migrants across transnational contexts. She has worked as a Research Consultant at The Freedom Fund, contributing to policy analysis on bilateral labour agreements and migrant protections. Her experience spans both qualitative and quantitative research, including stakeholder interviews, ethnographic fieldwork, large-scale data analysis, and policy evaluation.
She has also conducted research on climate-induced migration in the MENA region, engaging with questions of labour protections, displacement, and equitable migration systems.
Akobe Yann Djinphie
Master of Public Policy
Akobe Yann is a development policy professional with six years of experience working on industrialisation policy and Foreign Direct Investment Initiatives in Côte d’Ivoire. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy at the London School of Economics.
Babeth Solange Ngo Bama
MSc Health and International Development
Dr. Solange Ngo Bama is a medical doctor and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) working to strengthen maternal and child health systems in resource-limited and security-compromised settings in Central Africa. After years of frontline clinical practice, she transitioned toward health systems strengthening to address structural barriers affecting women and children. She has led community-based initiatives including mobile clinics for antenatal care, under-five vaccination, and nutrition services to combat malnutrition.
As the only IBCLC in her region, she advocates for policies and workplace systems that enable breastfeeding support. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Health and International Development at the London School of Economics, where her research focuses on the economic and health costs of not supporting breastfeeding.
Benita Manzengo
Msc Political Economy of Late Development
Benita Manzengo is a Congolese-born leader and advocate whose work sits at the intersection of international affairs, social justice, and the arts. Originally from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), she has advocated to raise awareness for humanitarian crises in the DRC.
An Ambassador for the Panzi Foundation, Benita works closely with the organization founded by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege. She has been instrumental in raising funds and awareness for survivors of sexual violence in Eastern DRC, including organizing ceramic sales and fundraisers to support those trapped in conflict zones like Goma.
A graduate of Augustana University ('24), she double-majored in Government & International Affairs and Art. She was a recipient of the prestigious 2024 Augustana Covenant Award, recognized for her campus leadership and commitment to service.
An award-winning photographer and artist, she won the LSE "Voices and Visions" Photo Essay Competition for her piece "Black Men's Joy," which challenges media narratives by capturing the humanity and beauty of Black men.
Benita served as the President of the African Student Union (ASU) and the Augustana International Club. She has also been a Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Scholar and a Beacom Research Fellow.
Blessing Oludele
MSc. Applied Social Data Science
Blessing is a trained Electrical Engineer who discovered data science in her second year at university. She went on to pursue a career focused on optimizing processes through data and technology. Professionally, she has worked in Rack Centre, the largest colocation data centre in west Africa, and Turing Enterprise Inc. collaborating with teams developing AI solutions, including chatbots and AI agents for large companies.
Her long-term goal is to improve the quality of people’s jobs by reducing drudgery while also creating more employment opportunities for young people in Africa through the responsible use of artificial intelligence. This vision has led her to pursue a social data science degree, effectively integrating social sciences with technology.
Bongani Masilela
Master of Public Policy
Bongani Frank Masilela is a South African education and skills development specialist with experience across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. He has led large-scale youth employment and technology training programmes in partnership with corporates such as JP Morgan, Absa, and Old Mutual, and previously served at McKinsey & Company in the Data & Analytics Practice, focusing on talent development and capability building.
He also co-founded an educational social enterprise that supported over 1,500 school learners across South Africa. Bongani holds an undergraduate degree in Development Studies and a Master of Education in Education & Work from the University of the Witwatersrand. He is currently pursuing a Master of Public Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Charles Agyei
MSc Environment and Development
Charles Agyei is a Commonwealth Scholar currently pursuing a Master of Science in Environment and Development at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Land Economy from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and an Advanced Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management from Imperial College of Mines and Safety.
Charles has professional experience in property valuation, estate management, and physical planning. A passionate community leader, he co-founded the Kwabena Kodua Foundation and dedicates his time to volunteering across education, health, and community development in Ghana.
Charllote Mensah
Master of Laws (LLM)
She is a legal professional with extensive experience in private practice, specializing in commercial litigation and arbitration. Her professional background is further enhanced by her studies at the London School of Economics, where she is focusing her Master of Laws (LLM) on Corporate and Commercial Law, International Arbitration, and Law, Politics and Social Change. Throughout her career, she has managed high-stakes disputes while maintaining a deep interest in the intersection of legal frameworks and the digital economy.
Beyond her legal practice, she is a dedicated advocate for social equity and community empowerment. She is particularly committed to the mission of eradicating the barriers that prevent children from accessing education, actively engaging in initiatives to support the next generation of African youth. She believes in leveraging her legal expertise to drive substantive social change and ensure inclusive growth across the continent.
Charlotte Emefa Ohene
MSc Gender, Development and Globalisation
Charlotte is a gender and development professional and social entrepreneur. She founded EcoSteps Solutions, empowering women through menstrual health education and the manufacturing of reusable pads in Ghana.
Her research examines epistemic justice in development interventions, questioning whose knowledge counts in designing programs for marginalized communities.
She has experience in social policy analysis, with academic interests spanning decolonial feminist theory, sexual and reproductive health rights, and the intersection of gender, technology, and policy in African contexts.
Charlotte is passionate about internet governance and universal acceptance, advocating for equitable digital futures. She is committed to ensuring African women's perspectives shape development practice and policy, bridging grassroots organizing with critical feminist research.
Cyntia Ismael
MSc. Development Studies
Cyntia Ismael is an MSc Development Studies student at the London School of Economics, focusing on African studies, youth unemployment, and informal economies. Her academic interests center on development challenges in Mozambique, particularly the role of digital platforms in shaping economic opportunity. She previously earned a degree in Business and Management from Skidmore College. Professionally, she works in HR operations at TotalEnergies Mozambique, supporting onboarding and employee mobility processes.
Her background also includes experience in investment banking and business consulting, where she contributed to financial analysis, administrative coordination, and research-driven support across different organizational settings.
Dina Ebrahim
MSc Health and International Development
Dina is a Sudanese student pursuing an MSc in Health and International Development at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She graduated with a First Class degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of Manchester, where she later worked upon graduation coordinating volunteering projects and partnerships with local community organisations.
Her work focused on supporting student-led initiatives and strengthening collaboration between the university and grassroots groups. She is broadly interested in international development and health policy, particularly health systems in conflict affected settings and policies that prioritise equitable health outcomes for marginalised communities.
Dorothy N'tchougan-Sonou
MSc. Culture and Society
Dorothy N’tchougan-Sonou is a Togolese-American social development scholar pursuing an MSc in Culture and Society at the London School of Economics. She holds a BA in Comparative International Studies and French and serves as Co-Vice President of the PfAL 15 2025/26 cohort, supporting leadership, community wellbeing, and fellow mental health and wellness initiatives within the African leadership network.
She brings professional and academic experience across North America, Africa, and Europe. Dorothy is currently an intern with the African Union Permanent Mission to the United Nations, supporting work within the ECOSOC division. Prior to the AU, she worked with Princeton in Africa. Her interests center on public diplomacy, education, and African-centered global leadership.
Eberechukwu Ezike
MSc. Development Studies
Eberechukwu Ezike is a lawyer working at the intersection of trade law, policy, and development. She is the founder of AfCFTA Dialogues, a youth-led initiative advancing awareness and engagement around the African Continental Free Trade Area. She holds a Master’s degree in law and is currently pursuing an MSc in Development Studies (African Development) at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Her work and research focus on how trade can drive development, particularly how African countries can capture greater value from trade, with an emphasis on regional integration and trade policy as catalysts for economic transformation.
Eilidh Taylor
MSc Development Studies, African Specialism
Eilidh is a mosaic of places and passions — shaped by Botswana, the UK, and Italy. Her work experience in civil society spans community-based agriculture in Botswana, anti-organised crime work in Italy, and fiscal hosting for grassroots groups in the UK. A year on the Okavango Delta working in conservation agriculture inspired CHILI, a social enterprise she co-founded over her masters to support farmers facing human-wildlife conflict in Tanzania.
Her MSc examines the political economy of development and the informal economy, building on a bachelor's in political science and history with an African specialism from Sciences Po Paris. Outside her studies, she participates in a parliamentary interfaith leadership programme in London and aspires to a career in conflict transformation and peacebuilding.
Enock Wanderema
MSc. Behavioural Science
Enock Wanderema has always wanted to understand why people do what they do. Standing at a window in Kampala one afternoon, he watched a child resist her mother's pull, a beggar ignored by hurrying crowds, a girl lost in her phone, and found himself asking what had triggered each of them to be doing exactly that.
That instinct to observe, to listen, to search for what drives human decisions led him to the London School of Economics, where he studies Behavioural Science. He wants to understand how choices are made; how stories and science together can nudge the world toward either wellbeing or ruin.
Faith Chitawo
Msc. Inequalities and Social Science
Faith Chitawo is a seasoned public diplomacy professional with over ten years of experience in international education, policy advocacy, and program management. She served as the Senior EducationUSA Adviser and Education Outreach Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe, Malawi, leading initiatives to increase access to higher education and foster global partnerships.
Faith developed programs such as national college fairs and STEM camps, reaching over 50,000 students and professionals annually. Currently an AFSEE Fellow and Master’s student at LSE, her research explores the intersection of AI and education policy in Africa’s higher education sector, aiming to amplify African voices and link technological advances with academic success.
Farid Hammayo
MSc Management and Strategy
Farid is a Nigerian pursuing an MSc in Management & Strategy. He is interested in how strategy, markets and data-driven decision-making can be applied to improve lives, particularly for underserved communities.
With a background in Economics and experience supporting research and market intelligence within Nigeria’s capital markets ecosystem, Farid enjoys translating complex issues into practical insights that inform better decisions across the public and private sectors.
Beyond his academic and professional interests, Farid is committed to social impact and is especially drawn to initiatives delivered through foundations and community-based programmes focused on expanding access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and basic welfare support.
Fatma Kassim
MSc Data Science
Fatma Kassim focuses on using data to inform organisational strategy in data-scarce environments, with a particular interest in driving investment and development outcomes. She is currently pursuing an MSc in Data Science at the London School of Economics and is originally from Mombasa, Kenya, where limited access to data and opportunity has shaped her perspective on development.
She previously worked at Boston Consulting Group, where she supported cross-sector initiatives across Africa, applying quantitative analysis and structured problem solving to challenges in healthcare, investment, and economic development.
Alongside her professional work, Fatma is committed to advancing opportunities for women and has contributed to mentorship initiatives at Girls for Girls Kenya.
Funny Kamanga
MSc Health Policy, Planning and Financing
Funny is a public health professional currently pursuing an MSc in Health Policy, Planning, and Financing at LSE and LSHTM. She holds a Master of Public Health from Kamuzu University of Health Sciences and a BSc in Environmental Health from Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences.
Prior to joining LSE/PFAL, she served as a Research Project Coordinator with UNC Project Malawi, supporting HIV/AIDS implementation research towards the elimination of HIV/AIDS vertical transmission. She has also supported community health worker programs in rural Malawi to improve access to essential health services. Funny aspires to work as a health economists and is committed to advancing health economics, policy and financing to accelerate progress towards universal health coverage.
Gideon Haruna
MSc Global Health Policy
Dr Gideon Haruna is a health systems and financing strategist advising on how policy, funding flows, and institutional design shape frontline service delivery in fragile and underserved settings. With nearly a decade of experience spanning government, faith-based networks, and multi-donor initiatives, he has supported the design and implementation of large-scale primary health care and immunisation programmes across Northern Nigeria.
His work focuses on translating financing commitments into operational results through improved governance, execution discipline, and accountability. He has contributed to programme and policy efforts engaging national authorities and global partners, including Gavi and UNICEF, particularly in hard-to-reach and conflict-affected contexts.
Currently pursuing an MSc in Global Health Policy at the LSE, Gideon is interested in strengthening the link between public financial management and health outcomes. His strategic focus is advancing practical, institutionally grounded reforms that improve equity, efficiency, and sustainability in health systems.
Hope Oroma Ojera
MSc. Strategic Communication and Society
Hope is a Strategic Communications and Society Masters student at the LSE with a passion for branding, corporate communications, advertising and public relations who has worked in sectors like: tourism and wild life conservation, micro finance, culture and entertainment and oil and gas. She is also a Social Entrepreneur, writer, and poet.
Ifeanyi Chukwudi
Master of Public Policy
Ifeanyi Chukwudi is an international development professional and public policy specialist working at the intersection of geopolitics, critical minerals governance, and economic transformation in Africa. He is Programme Manager at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), overseeing multi-country initiatives on critical minerals, energy transition, and public accountability across West Africa.
He has also consulted for UKNIAF, providing economic and financial modelling support on climate-smart off-grid energy planning in Nigeria. Earlier, Ifeanyi worked in strategy consulting and government affairs, contributing to the founding of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative at the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
He holds a Bachelor's in Political Science from the University of Nigeria and is pursuing a Master of Public Policy at the London School of Economics as a Hosh Ibrahim Scholar. He is a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and Curator of the Abuja Hub of the Global Shapers Community.
Ikechukwu Fijo
MSc Law and Finance
He is a qualified finance and tax lawyer from Nigeria with over four years of experience advising local and international clients, including development finance institutions, commercial banks, multinationals, and start-ups. His practice covers a full spectrum of corporate, project, and trade finance transactions, as well as derivatives and tax structuring
He is particularly focused on the intersection of finance, law, tax, and innovation, which he is currently deepening through advanced study at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
Ikoha Muhindi
LL.M - Master of Laws
Ikoha is a Kenyan-qualified disputes lawyer with over seven years’ experience handling complex, high-value commercial disputes across Africa and beyond. He is currently pursuing an LL.M at the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he is deepening his focus on international arbitration and global disputes.
On sabbatical from Anjarwalla & Khanna LLP, he previously worked as a Principal Associate advising multinational clients on commercial litigation and arbitration, as well as served as the youngest chairperson of the CSR Committee, impacting over 1,200 families in need during the covid-19 period. He has also completed a secondment with Slaughter and May in London, gaining hands-on experience in cross-border disputes and investigations. Outside work, he enjoys gaming, hiking and going out.
Iretioluwa Omisade
MSc Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Iretioluwa Omisade is a consultant with a deep passion for social innovation and economic development, particularly in Africa. As a Social Impact Consultant , she worked with organisations to design, fund and scale solutions to complex and enduring social issues. With a background in diplomacy and international trade, she previously worked at the British Deputy High Commission in Nigeria, where she focused on UK-Nigeria trade relations as part of the Department for Business and Trade.
In addition to her consulting work, Iretioluwa is the founder and writer of *Impact Tales*, a platform dedicated to encouraging founders on the journey of balancing profit and purpose with social entrepreneurship through articles and conversations with ecosystem enablers and founders. Here, she highlights the role of social entrepreneurship in fostering economic development and prosperity on the continent.
Jessica Anusionwu
International Business Law
Jessica is a Common Law-qualified lawyer, specialising in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and institutional reform. She has advised multinational corporations and public-sector institutions on complex transactions and governance frameworks, and is passionate about strengthening legal systems to support sustainable business environments. Her interests sit at the intersection of law, governance, policy, and economic development.
Outside her professional work, Jessica enjoys reading, travelling to new places and discovering new music.
Jessica Komeh
LLM (Financial Law and Regulation Specialism)
Jessica Komeh is a Ghanaian qualified lawyer with 3 years' experience in sophisticated domestic and cross-border banking and finance transactional work. Prior to her LLM studies, she provided legal advice to financial institutions on the provision of loans to companies in Ghana.
As a Ghanaian woman seeking to break through the glass ceiling in financial law, she seeks to combine her passion for financial law with her dedication to improving the lives and lived experiences of Africans by helping local companies obtain access to financial solutions.
She constantly looks for opportunities to participate in initiatives that promote African development and is currently a member of the organizing team for this year's LSE Africa Summit.
Johnson Lawal
MSc. Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation
Johnson Lawal is a product manager and tech entrepreneur with over a decade of experience building and scaling digital products across the US, Africa, and Europe, spanning fintech and travel.
He is the founder of Imgos, a UK Government-recognised digital innovation venture using AI for automation and business intelligence.
With a background spanning software engineering and product development, he has led large-scale digital initiatives at organisations including American Express, improving experiences for more than 2.5 million customers.
Working at the intersection of technology, business, and socioeconomic development, Johnson is driven by the belief that technology is a powerful tool for societal transformation. He mentors emerging technologists and speaks on technology governance and the future of inclusive development across Africa and beyond.
Kaima Nwajagu
MSc Health an International Development
Kaima is a proud Nigerian who interweaves her culture into her studies wherever she can. With a foundation in politics, she has gained experience in consulting and policy advisory during her studies, analysing development challenges and providing evidence-based recommendations.
She is part of the team bringing the Africa Summit to life and co-created Finding Me in Mama, an initiative hoping to address postpartum depression (PPD) in African women. Passionate about making a meaningful contribution to the continent, she brings leadership, analytical skills, and collaborative energy to her work. She enjoys reading and history, which continually shape her perspective.
Kenya Lawrence
MSc Development Studies with Applied Development Economic Specialism
Kenya is completing an MSc in Development Studies, specialising in Applied Development Economics, and holds a BSc in International Relations and Chinese from the London School of Economics, including a year studying in Taiwan. Her academic and professional interests focus on African and Caribbean economic development, Sino-African relations, and development finance.
She has worked as a short-term consultant with the World Bank on a cash transfer project in Cameroon and Burkina Faso, assessing the impact of social protection programmes in fragile contexts. Kenya also has two years of experience in asset management at Schroders and has interned at the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Kenya High Commission to the UK under H.E. Ambassador Manoah Esipisu.
Within PfAL, she works on a project exploring chilli cultivation as a cash crop to mitigate human-elephant conflict while reinvesting profits into local farming communities.
Keshni Anish Shah
MSc in Data Science
Keshni is pursuing an MSc in Data Science at the London School of Economics. She completed her BSc in Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Bristol, where she combined technical skills with a curiosity for solving real world problems. She is passionate about applying data responsibly, designing digital solutions that uphold fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Beyond her studies, Keshni has been actively involved in student societies, organising events, coordinating teams, and delivering high quality projects. She enjoys exploring innovative applications of data, mentoring peers, and contributing to initiatives that bring together technology, leadership, and positive social impact.
Koffi Donatien Tiecoura
MSc Public Policy
Dr. Koffi Tiecoura is an Ivorian investment banker and public finance professional with over 10 years of experience in sovereign and sub-sovereign advisory, debt capital markets, and institutional investment.
He has held leadership roles in West Africa’s financial sector, including serving as Principal Officer at the Caisse de Dépôts et de Consignations de Côte d’Ivoire (CDC-CI), where he co-designed large-scale resource mobilization and inclusive finance instruments. He previously led sovereign structuring and capital-raising transactions at a leading investment bank and also served as a Portfolio Manager, overseeing institutional investment strategies, including innovative debt securitization mechanisms supporting government financing.
He holds a PhD in Finance and has taught financial markets and corporate finance. His work focuses on sovereign debt sustainability, development finance, and strengthening public financial institutions across Africa.
Laureen Muhairwe
MSc Health Policy, Planning and Financing
Laureen Muhairwe is a Ugandan medical doctor who has worked across different healthcare systems in the Uganda, the UK, France and Saint Lucia. Driven by her experience of health inequity in Uganda, she moved from clinical practice into health policy and is currently completing an MSc in Health Policy, Planning and Financing at LSE and LSHTM.
Her work includes NCD policy, laboratory systems strengthening, and stakeholder engagement across different countries. Laureen is committed to returning to Uganda to build equitable, evidence-based heath systems and to develop African-led sustainable solutions.
Liam Devenish
MSc International Health Policy
Liam a doctor, researcher and aspiring policy expert, blending frontline clinical insight with health care finance and economics, data-driven design, and innovation. He loves finding the spaces where good science meets policy and modern systems thinking.
Currently, he is a Commonwealth Scholar at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), completing a Masters in International Health Policy.
Filled with curiosity (sometimes insufferably so) and fuelled by evidence, he wants to turn fiscal policy, technology, and data into practical solutions for tough healthcare challenges - driving smarter, fairer systems in places that need change most.
Malika Keita
MSc. Gender Studies
Malika is a Malian and French master’s student in Gender Studies at LSE. She grew up in Mali before completing a bachelor’s in Social Sciences in Amsterdam, where she focused on exploring fluid gender realities in West Africa through culture and media—reclaiming what gender means to Africans beyond Western frameworks.
During a gap year prior to LSE, Malika volunteered at a school in Bamako and interned at the African Union Mission to the UN in New York, focusing on African peace and security issues. She aims to collaborate with fellow African youth on the continent, to design practical initiatives that strengthen educational access and promote gender equity, drawing on her local and international experiences.
Mantshie Doumbia
MSc. International Social and Public Policy (Development)
Mantshie Doumbia is a Malian Chevening Scholar pursuing an MSc in International Social and Public Policy (Development) at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Self-taught English speaker, He holds a Maîtrise in Management and a Master’s degree in Applied Development Economics from the University of Bamako.
With professional experience in food security, climate resilience, and community-driven development in Mali, he has supported farmer organisations, women-led processing units, and local institutions across several communes. His work centres on sustainable agri-food systems, youth employment, women's empowerment and participatory policy approaches.
Guided by a humanistic vision that prioritises dignity, local agency, and collaborative partnerships, Mantshie advocates for African-led, evidence-based solutions to inclusive and equitable development challenges.
Maxwell Akrasi
MSc Real Estate Economics and Finance
Maxwell Akrasi is a Ghanaian-British entrepreneur and MSc Real Estate Economics & Finance candidate at LSE. He holds a BSc Business Administration from Ashesi University and an MSc Business & Finance from Warwick Business School.
Growing up in a family business in Ghana, he developed his passion for business, particularly: strategy, trade, industrialisation, finance, and luxury. A committed Christian, his ambitions are inseparable from his faith — he believes Africa needs leaders who can hold wealth, influence, and spiritual conviction together without contradiction.
At LSE he co-founded the African Business Society, connecting students with the relationships, knowledge and opportunities to shape Africa's future. He writes Philosophy of Change, a newsletter on the realities of transformation in Africa.
Merylaine Lavinia Samussone
Master in Law Specialised in Financial Law and Regulation
Merylaine Lavinia Samussone is a Mozambican aspiring solicitor pursuing an LLM in Financial Law and Regulation at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is fluent in English and Portuguese and has a strong background in paralegal work and legal consulting, where she gained experience analysing regulatory frameworks, compliance processes, and the legal structures that underpin stable financial institutions.
Her interests focus on banking, financial sustainability, and social impact, with a commitment to promoting transparent governance and ethically grounded regulatory standards. Merylaine aims to contribute to the development of responsible and resilient financial systems through rigorous legal practice and informed policy engagement.
Michael Pasara
MSc. Global Health Policy
Michael Takudzwa Pasara (PhD) is an Economist with over fifteen years’ experience in economic consultancy, policy, private sector and academia. He is the Managing Director of Black Sesame Consulting and an Extraordinarily Fellow with North-West University, South Africa. Michael has consulted for UN agencies, national governments, private sector and NGOs.
His work spans macroeconomics, international trade and finance, public policy and, mathematical and econometric applications, over forty (40) internationally indexed (Web of Science, Scopus, IBSS) journal publications, an edited book, and presented at several international conferences.
He is pursuing MSc. Global Health Policy at (LSE), UK. Michael is also a member of the Econometric Society (USA); International Golden Key Society, African Economic Research Consortium (AERC); and the Pan-African Scientific Research Council (PASRC).
Some of his publications can be accessed at: ORCIRD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4298-9585 or Google Scholar.
Milkee Bekele
MSc in Human Rights
Milkee Bekele is an MSc student in Human Rights at LSE and an early career professional passionate about international justice, social advocacy, and decolonial governance in Africa and beyond. She graduated with honors from Macalester College with a BA in International Studies and Anthropology.
Prior to moving to London, Milkee was in Washington D.C with a peacebuilding organization that focused on uplifting civil society and ending violence in conflict-affected areas. Milkee has blended her academic and professional experience to work on research, policy, and journalism. Though originally Ethiopian, Milkee has lived in Uganda, Sudan, and the Netherlands, and hopes to travel to many more countries!
Maureen Munene
Master of Public Policy
At LSE, Mumbi is pursuing the Master of Public Policy (MPP), a programme designed for mid-career professionals seeking to deepen their policy expertise.
Mumbi is a policy and strategy advisor with several years of experience in strategic planning, project management, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement across the international development sector. She has led consultancy projects for multilateral institutions (including UN bodies), global philanthropic funders, and private sector organisations, with a focus on agriculture, health, climate change, and governance.
Prior to joining the MPP, she worked with Sofala Partners, a political economy advisory firm that supports development actors in navigating political, institutional, and stakeholder landscapes across Africa.
Munira Bello
MSc Health Policy, Planning and Financing
Munira Aminu Bello is a multifaceted public health professional specializing in the intersection of health policy, innovative financing, and market access for health technologies. Her experience includes development operations and nonprofit fundraising at Seed Global Health, alongside high-level event logistics support for global forums such as COP28. As a Don Lavoie Fellow at the Mercatus Centre, Munira integrates her knowledge in political and institutional economics into her broader work in health system strengthening.
A published researcher with an interest in access to medicines in Africa, she is deeply committed to bridging the gap between evidence-based research and practical access in low- and middle-income countries. By leveraging her extensive experience, Munira seeks to influence the pricing models and reimbursement strategies essential for ensuring sustainable, equitable healthcare delivery across the continent.
Musab Mohamed
MSc. Development Studies
Musab is an International Development Specialist with over eight years of experience in project management, monitoring and evaluation, and policy-driven programming across fragile and conflict-affected contexts. His work centers on African development, with a strong focus on economic transformation, industrial policy reform, and market systems strengthening. He has led and contributed to donor-funded initiatives in agriculture, private sector development, and women’s enterprise, linking political economy analysis with practical field implementation in Sudan.
Musab is particularly interested in how states can shift from rent-based economies toward productive, diversified growth. He is committed to advancing inclusive industrialization, institutional reform, and locally grounded strategies that foster resilience and long-term development across Africa.
Mwaria Claude Kiania
MSc. Health Policy, Planning & Financing
Dr. Mwaria Kiania is a Kenyan medical affairs leader and health policy scholar committed to strengthening African health systems. With a background in oncology and cardiovascular medicine, he has worked at Merck as a Medical Science Liaison, driving evidence-based engagement across Sub Saharan Africa. He holds admission to the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he is pursuing advanced training in health policy, planning, and financing. His interests span medical governance, market-shaping strategy, and leadership development to catalyse sustainable, high-impact healthcare transformation across the continent.
Nana Abena Darkoa Dapaah
MSc Gender, Peace and Security
Nana Abena is a commissioned officer of the Ghana Armed Forces who is currently studying an MSc in Gender, Peace and Security at LSE. She has extensive deployments in South Lebanon, DRC and the Golan Heights, where she was exposed to the first-hand challenges women and children are exposed to in conflict. Through her graduate studies as a Chevening Scholar, she aims to integrate her passion as a women, peace and security advocate with tailored policy solutions addressing key gender, peace and security challenges in Africa and the Middle East.
Nana-Asmau Musa
MSc Development Studies
Nana-Asmau Musa is a Nigerian economist pursuing an MSc in Development Studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She holds a degree in Economics from the University of Essex, specialising in microeconomics, macroeconomics, financial economics, and quantitative methods.
Her academic work centres on the political economy of development, trade governance, and development finance, with particular attention to how institutional structures and power asymmetries shape economic outcomes. Combining rigorous analytical training with a structural approach to policy, she is committed to advancing evidence-informed strategies that support economic transformation and strengthen international cooperation in emerging economies.
Nihale Mougaddar
MSc Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Nihale Mougaddar holds an Industrial Engineering degree from ENSAM Casablanca, where she developed an early interest in entrepreneurship. In 2018, she was recognised by the U.S. Department of State with a scholarship to study Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Connecticut.
Over the past six years, she has led the design of multi-country entrepreneurship programmes, structured financing mechanisms, and built partnerships to mobilise catalytic capital in underfunded markets. She has supported the expansion of entrepreneurship initiatives across West and East Africa and is an alumna of the African Angels Academy.
Currently a Chevening Scholar pursuing an MSc in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the LSE, she aims to strengthen her academic foundations to better address early-stage ecosystem gaps in Africa.
Nourelhoda Ahmed Salah Gado
MSc Social & Cultural Psychology
Nour Gado is a strategist and researcher committed to understanding human behaviour and cultural dynamics as tools for social and political change. She is pursuing an MSc in Social and Cultural Psychology at LSE, building on her BA in Politics from King's College London.
At VCCP, Nour founded the agency's Ethnography practice, combining qualitative research with strategic consulting for clients including National Grid, Disney+, Al Jazeera, and Grosvenor Casino. Her work translating cultural insights into strategic frameworks now informs her ambitions in political strategy and public policy.
Nour's ultimate goal is to contribute to a Pan-African future, exploring how shared culture, art, and history can strengthen continental connections and advance African unity.
Nour Lejmi
MSc Behavioural Science
Nour Lejmi is a Tunisian/Dutch with a Master's in Politics and Economics of the Middle East and currently completing her Master's in Behavioural Science. Her heart and passion is learning about the intersection between political economy and cognitive conflict studies in Africa and the Middle East region. She is also the Director of the Speakers and Content Team for this year's 2026 LSE AI Africa Summit.
Nuno Pragana Carreira
MSc Development Management (Political Economy)
Nuno is a Development Management postgraduate student at the London School of Economics (LSE). Building on a First Class Honours degree in Business Management from the University of Liverpool, Nuno focuses on the intersection of political economy and sustainable growth.
His professional background includes coordinating development initiatives across Africa and Asia, with a specific focus on Southern Africa through his work in Mozambique. Nuno is particularly driven by exploring how political settlements, democracy, and inequality shape developmental outcomes. He is dedicated to advancing context-sensitive, evidence-based solutions that address systemic challenges at both the country and programme level.
Odinaka Obeta
MSc International Social and Public Policy
Odinaka is a Chevening Scholar and public health professional from Nigeria, committed to advancing equitable health systems through evidence-driven leadership and community engagement. With experience across Africa, he has worked with government leaders, multilateral institutions, and grassroots organisations to strengthen malaria control, mental health programming, and disability inclusion. His expertise spans malaria policy and financing, health systems strengthening, youth leadership, and implementation research. He is Founder of Block Malaria Africa, mobilising research, advocacy, and community-led action to accelerate elimination efforts.
Odinaka serves as Co-Chair of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria Youth Workstream and Vice Chairperson of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance Youth Advisory Council. He is pursuing an MSc in Health Policy, Planning and Finance at LSE and LSHTM.
Ola Suliman
MSc International relations
Ola Suliman is an international relations and trade professional with a passion for development and diplomacy. She is currently pursuing an MSc in International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science, where she explores global governance, international cooperation, and the policies shaping today’s interconnected world.
Alongside her academic work, she is deeply interested in how diplomacy & economic relations can create meaningful and sustainable change for the African region. Outside of her professional interests, Ola enjoys traveling, discovering new cultures, and embracing new adventures. She is also a fan of movies and is always on the lookout for great food, whether exploring new restaurants or experiencing local cuisine while abroad.
Olaoluwa Oyewusi
MSc. Environmental economics and climate change
He is a driven and intellectually curious political and environmental economist with a strong interest in global development, international finance, and public policy. Originally from Nigeria, he brings a nuanced perspective to debates on economic reform, governance, and emerging markets.
His academic work explores themes such as capitalism, nuclear disarmament, and structural inequality, reflecting his ambition to contribute meaningfully to global policy conversations. Beyond academia, he enjoys travelling, cooking, fitness, and engaging in thoughtful discussions about philosophy, psychology, and science. He is motivated by a desire to create lasting, practical change in the world through rigorous analysis and principled leadership.
Onyinyechi Okorie
LL.M Financial Law and Regulation
Onyinyechi is a Nigerian-qualified lawyer and financial regulation specialist, with an interest in monetary governance, financial inclusion, and financial sector integrity. Before commencing her Master's studies at LSE, she gained extensive experience as a Counsel at the Central Bank of Nigeria, where her work was instrumental in shaping Nigeria's monetary and economic policy.
She participated in designing significant regulatory and policy reforms aimed at deepening financial sector resilience and promoting financial integrity. Her intellectual interest at LSE centres around how legal and regulatory frameworks can be designed to strengthen macroeconomic resilience, while supporting inclusive economic growth, particularly in emerging and developing economies
Oscass Jimmy Ruva
MSc Health and International Development
Ruva is a Registered Clinical Nurse and global health practitioner and researcher with over a decade of experience across medical-surgical, critical care, emergency, and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) nursing. He has practised in Uganda's leading national referral hospitals, including Kiruddu and Mulago, and independently managed a rural Health Centre II as its sole clinician. His clinical work spans management of critically ill patients with severe trauma, sepsis, and obstetric emergencies, alongside long-term SRH service delivery including LARC, DMPA-SC, HIVST, HPV self-sampling, and school-based adolescent programmes.
Ruva holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Makerere University and is currently completing an MSc in Health and International Development at the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he holds the prestigious Firoz and Najma Lalji LSE Scholarship (2025/2026). He is the founder and Executive Director of Alive Mother Alive Child (2010–2025), a community-based organisation that advanced maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes in Uganda across fifteen years.
His research interests include provider-driven rationing of post-abortion care, implementation science, SRH policy, health systems equity in fragile contexts, and the political economy of global health in sub-Saharan Africa.
Peter Waiganjo
MSc. Global Health Policy
Peter Waiganjo is an accomplished global health professional specializing in health systems strengthening, universal health coverage (UHC) implementation, and strategic partnerships for sustainable development. With over 15 years of experience, he has advanced the global health agenda through health financing reform, benefits package design, resource mobilization, and policy advocacy that drive systemic change and measurable impact.
He has built strategic partnerships across Africa with governments, bilateral and multilateral institutions, private sector organizations, and foundations, mobilizing financial and technical resources to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). His professional experience includes business development in Kenya's healthcare sector, working with private clinics and diagnostic equipment placement, providing a firsthand understanding of health system challenges and implementation realities in low- and middle-income countries.
Ruth Chinonyerem Elendu
MSc International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies
Ruth Chinonyerem Elendu is currently pursuing an MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies. Her work is rooted in the belief that lasting change comes from within by shifting power to local actors, building on the tools and strengths communities already possess, and reducing dependence on distant institutions disconnected from lived realities.
Chinonyerem has coordinated anti-human trafficking advocacy and community partnerships, built grant systems and volunteer networks to sustain refugee integration programs, and supported research spanning humanitarian localization in Syria and Yemen, racial truth and reconciliation commissions across the U.S., and Somali immigrant political engagement.
As a Critical Language Scholar in Arabic, she holds dual Bachelor's degrees from The Ohio State University in African and Middle East Studies.
Sara Bellar
MSc. International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies
Sara is a young professional currently pursuing an MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies at the London School of Economics and Political Science. With a background in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, she has developed experience in policy research, advocacy, and political analysis across international organisations and UK institutions.
Her work spans environmental policy, disaster risk reduction, and public health, where she has contributed to research, stakeholder engagement, and clear, evidence-based recommendations. She is particularly interested in development and conflict resolution, with a focus on conflict-sensitive programming and sustainable approaches in fragile and conflict-affected contexts, especially across the SWANA region and East Africa.
Sonia Kamarade
MSc. International Migration
She didn't choose supply chain and international development, they chose her. Since 2021, she's coordinated complex logistics across construction and agriculture, from managing trucks in Dallas to coordinating international logistics between Rwandan and China.
At Karisimbi Kiwieds Coffee (2022-2025), she's transformed supply chain expertise into community impact, working with farmers in cooperatives and launching a savings-matching program for women go to their children's school fees. She understands that construction, agriculture, and policy aren't separate, they're interconnected. Currently pursuing her Master's in International Migration and Public Policy, she's building frameworks for sustainable development that work from farmer to end buyer.
Soufiane Mellak
MSc Quantitative Methods for Risk Management
Soufiane Mellak is an MSc Quantitative Methods for Risk Management student at the London School of Economics. He previously completed a BSc in MORSE (Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics) at the University of Warwick.
His interests focus on quantitative finance, risk modelling and the application of statistical methods to financial markets. Soufiane works on coding and quantitative finance projects, developing tools in Python and R for financial modelling and risk analysis. Originally from Casablanca, Morocco, he is interested in applying rigorous quantitative methods to real-world financial and economic challenges.
Tamunobuomie Oruene
MSc. Development Studies
Buomie Oruene is a graduate student at the LSE focused on Africa’s economic transformation. His interests center on sustainable growth, development financing, and institutional reform across African economies.
Through academic work and professional experience he has cultivated a global perspective to better understand how policy, investment, and governance can strengthen business environments, mobilization of capital, and expansion of opportunities. He is particularly interested in how emerging sustainability frameworks and economic policy can support resilient markets and drive long-term development across the continent.
Temitope Oluwatofunmi Balogun
MSc. Human Resources and Organizations
Ifeoluwatofunmi is a social impact leader and Founder of Ewaade Foundation, where she works to strengthen education systems and expand opportunities for underserved communities in Nigeria. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Human Resources and Organisation at the London School of Economics, equipping her with the skills to design effective people-centred systems and build high-performing, mission-driven teams.
Through Ewaade Foundation, she leads initiatives focused on youth development, staff capacity building, safeguarding, and institutional strengthening, ensuring that programmes are both impactful and sustainable. Her work reflects a deep commitment to equity, accountability, and long-term social change, as she continues to develop innovative, community-driven solutions that empower individuals and strengthen organisations.
Theophilus Tackie-Komme
MSc. Human Resources and Organisations (International Employment Relations stream)
Theophilus is a Global Employment and Industrial Relations professional, providing advisory to Executive Directors, Country Directors and People & Culture Directors, in order to find solutions to the most complex ER/workplace issues. He currently supports over 60 countries and has visited more than 15 of them.
Theophilus is also entrepreneurial (supporting two ventures in the Oil & Gas and Digital sectors in Ghana) and modestly philanthropic. He is a Chartered Member of CIPD (UK), a Full Member of CIHRM (Ghana), and an Associate Member of ILERA (ILO – Switzerland). Theophilus has a BA in Psychology (Ghana) and a Diploma in Management (UK). He is a certified HR/People Analyst (USA), a certified Workplace Investigator (Kenya), and a TCM accredited Mediator (UK).
Wala Mohammed
MSc Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation
Wala is an MSc candidate in Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation at the London School of Economics (LSE). As a dedicated researcher and digital rights advocate, she focuses on empowering marginalized communities across Sudan and Africa through inclusive digital policy. Her professional background spans the telecommunications, banking, and humanitarian sectors, where she has engineered large-scale technological solutions for thousands of users. Her expertise bridges the gap between technical infrastructure and human-centric digital rights.
Yayah Sesay
MSc in International Health Policy (Health Economics)
He is currently pursuing an MSc in International Health Policy (Health Economics) at the London School of Economics and Political Science. During his studies, he served on the Speakers and Content Committee for the LSE-Africa Summit 2026, themed “AI in Africa,” contributing to high-level dialogue on technology and development across the continent
Previously, he has worked for over seven years as a Senior Economist at the Ministry of Health, Sierra Leone, where he led the production of the country’s Annual National Health Accounts, generating data that drives national health decisions. He is deeply committed to transparency, equity, and strengthening health systems through smarter, data-driven investments that improve population outcomes.
Yehia Elsayed
MSc Management
Yehia is a graduate of King’s College London, where he studied Politics, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Management at the London School of Economics. Having grown up across Egypt, Kenya, Hungary, and the United Kingdom, he developed a strong interest in leadership, governance, and cross-cultural collaboration.
His academic interests focus on public policy, institutional design, and how innovative approaches—such as behavioural “nudges”—can improve policy outcomes. He plans to pursue a career in consulting, where he hopes to work at the intersection of business and policy. He is particularly motivated to contribute to economic growth and institutional development in Africa and the Middle East in the years ahead.
Yewande Jinadu
MSc Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Yewande Jinadu is the Founder of CareerLife Global, a social enterprise that has supported over 1,500 Nigerians into decent work through training, coaching, and employer partnerships. She also leads the Career Mom Mentoring Programme, supporting women returning to the workforce after career breaks. With a background in Human Resources and an ICF Credentialed Coach, she has over 10 years’ experience in People strategy and Culture transformation.
She is studying Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and her academic interests focus on labour market inclusion, skills mismatch, and the design of sustainable employment systems in African contexts. She is interested in scalable models that improve workforce participation for women and youths while strengthening the link between talent development and employer demand.
Yvonne Adobea Osei
MSc. Development Studies
Yvonne Adobea Osei is an MSc Development Studies candidate from Ghana at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where her studies focus on global health, development policy, and the political economy of state institutions. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
She previously worked with the Migration Health Assessment Centre of the International Organization for Migration in Accra, Ghana, supporting operational coordination. At KNUST, Yvonne served as the first female President of the Student Representative Council in the university’s history and represented students on the University Governing Council. Her academic interests focus on how governance, institutions, and public finance shape development outcomes.