Arkebe Oqubay Professor; British Academy Global Professor, Fmr. Senior Minister and Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia

Prof. Dr. Arkebe Oqubay, former Senior Minister and Special Adviser to Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, currently serves as the British Academy Global Professor at SOAS University of London. With over three decades of pivotal policymaking experience, he continues to influence strategic economic decisions. Dr. Arkebe leads groundbreaking research for environmentally sustainable African economic development, supported by a British Academy grant from 2023 to 2027. As a former Mayor of Addis Ababa and leader of key public enterprises like Ethiopian Airlines, he provides policy advice and consultation to African governments and international organisations. Dr. Arkebe was Africa’s sole candidate for Director General of UNIDO, endorsed by the African Union. Recognised by NewAfrican as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2016, he is acclaimed for his work on industrialisation and policies. His publications with Oxford University Press include Made in Africa (2015) and How Nations Learn (2019). Holding a PhD in Development Studies from SOAS, University of London, he stands as a leading thinker in Africa’s strategic development.