On May 6, 2026 on the sidelines of the UN Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs, the Permanent Mission of the UAE to the UN - New York hosted an AI in Africa event in partnership with the Permanent Missions of Kenya and Rwanda, together with Eurasia Group and NYU Africa House.

This event explored how to address AI capacity, implementation, and governance in Africa. It considered how AI could support development solutions across the continent, as well as corresponding factors for consideration within the upcoming Global Dialogue on AI Governance. The event featured partners with demonstrated practice in AI for Development solutions and brought together key actors in AI and innovation across Africa. It had in attendance the Permanent Representatives of Missions to the United Nations, as well as senior leaders from UN agencies, philanthropies, the private sector, academia, and a select group of students in AI and development studies.

©Brandon Moye of Moye Visuals

Date: April 14, 2026

Location: 14A Washington Mews, New York, NY, 10003

Time: 9:00 am

Overview: 

The Social Impact Leadership Breakfast is hosted by Africa House, MCW, and Shared Interest. It convenes student leaders, academic institutions, and global social impact organizations to explore leadership pathways that balance social good with sustainable business success. Through moderated discussions and student engagement, the program highlights real-world examples of responsible leadership and global collaboration.

Program: 

9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.  Arrival & Networking 

9:30 a.m. Welcome

Dr. Yaw Nyarko, Professor of Economics, New York University; Founding Director, NYU’s Africa House

9:45 a.m. Introductions

Edward Bergman, MCW Co-Founder and President of the MCW

Board of Directors

Ann McMikel, Executive Director, Shared Interest

10:00 a.m. Keynote | Transformative Leadership

Dr. Thierno Thiam, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Tuskegee University, representing Dr. Mark A. Brown, President and CEO, Tuskegee University

10:30 a.m. Break

11:00 a.m. Leadership Discussion | Microfinance and Corporate Social Responsibility

Dr. Yaw Nyarko, Professor of Economics, Founding Director, NYU Africa House and CTED

Stanley Bergman, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Henry Schein, Inc.

Howard Stapler, Retired Senior Leader and Consultant, Henry Schein, Inc.

Moderated by: Dr. Charlie Robbins, Professor Emeritus, School of Social Welfare, Stony Brook University; MCW Board of Directors and Chair, Young Leaders Program Committee

11:50 a.m. ADDITIONAL REMARKS

Brian Barker, Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality; Clinical Associate Professor of Social Enterprising; Executive Director- Apprenticeship & Workforce Development; Executive Director- AHEAD; ICHRIE SIG Chair

11:55 a.m Social Impact in Action: Presentation of Africa House Research Fellowships

Presented by: Ugochi Obidiegwu

12:10 p.m Closing Remarks

Dr. Yaw Nyarko, Professor of Economics, New York University; Founding Director, NYU’s Africa House

12:15 p.m. Lunch

Last month, Prof. Yaw Nyarko delivered the keynote at the 40th-anniversary edition of the Centre for the Study of African Economies, University of Oxford Conference. He spoke on the topic, "Transforming Africa: Technology, Agricultural Markets, and Climate Change." In his session, he spoke on how the CTED team found that many smallholder farmers were in debt to traders, and the introduction of the Volta coin to support farmers to have direct access to inputs. He shared the successes of his research, the learning points from the failures, and advice to researchers. He emphasized the importance of researchers going into the field themselves to see the real situation on the ground and to get direct insights from the beneficiaries. There was ample time for questions with the audience, which was moderated by Stefan Dercon. You can catch the replay of the insightful session here.

CTED Artists in Residence Exhibition at the 2026 Papa Festival in Ghana

Overview: On Sunday, March 15, Prof. Yaw Nyarko hosted the CTED Artists in Residence Exhibition during the annual Papa Festival in Ghana. The Papa Festival is a long-standing tradition that commemorates one of Kumawu’s most legendary leaders, Papa Nantwi. It reflects the deep reverence the Kumawuman (people of Kumawu) have for his bravery and sacrifice, while honoring the ancestors who followed in his footsteps.

During this year's edition, CTED's Artists in Residence hosted an exhibition showcasing the Ashanti culture of the region. It was attended by both local and international guests. Plan to join us at our next arts exhibition in Ghana in October.

©NYU CTED Team

Overview:

On November 8, 2025, the 9th Annual TKSHS Arts Competition and Academic Awards took place in Kumawu, Ghana. The event featured cultural performances, a fashion show, an arts competition, and the presentation of academic awards to students, teaching, and non-teaching staff. In his speech, Prof. Yaw Nyarko announced the establishment of the Rita Fernandez Fashion Centre, in honor of the grandmother of philanthropist, Mr. Zandre Campos, who has been instrumental in supporting Arts Education at TKSHS. The event highlighted TKSHS’s commitment to academic and artistic excellence, supported by CTED’s transformative education initiatives and community partnerships.

Overview:

DUBAI – New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) and the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism are expanding their research partnership, building on a series of meetings held over the past year to strengthen collaboration on data and policy.

On 17 September 2025, NYUAD faculty, led by Professor Yaw Nyarko, met with ministry officials in Dubai to discuss new initiatives in applying AI to economic research, advancing data collaboration, policy evaluation, and setting long-term priorities for the UAE economy. Professor Raša Karapandža, Dean of EBS Business School in Germany and Visiting Professor at NYUAD, also joined the project, highlighting the international dimension of the collaboration. 

Both sides emphasized the importance of building a stronger data ecosystem, advancing collaboration through the Ministry’s new Knowledge Hubs, and investing in the capacity of Emirati economists.

This engagement marks the continuation of a growing partnership between NYUAD and the Ministry, with a mission to harness AI to transform economic analysis, drive evidence-based policymaking, and shape the UAE’s long-term economic strategy.

Overview:

The seminar hosted by International Finance Corporation (IFC) Economics focused on Africa and addressed ongoing issues related to technology, agricultural markets and climate change. Professor Yaw Nyarko delivered a keynote presentation on “Transforming Africa: Technology, Agricultural Markets, and Climate Change,” covering how to leverage blockchain and AI to accelerate economic diversification and environmental resilience. Professor Nyarko is in talks with the IFC for additional programs and potential funding.

Overview:

The Abu Dhabi Ideas Summit 2025, hosted at NYU Abu Dhabi brought together leading voices from academia, industry, and government to explore the UAE’s untapped natural advantages in the emerging digital and climate economies. The event featured a series of high-impact discussions on innovation, sustainability, and technological transformation. As a keynote speaker, Professor Raša Karapandža delivered a talk on the powerful intersection of blockchain and AI, highlighting how these technologies can be harnessed to drive economic diversification, environmental resilience, and inclusive growth in the UAE and beyond. Delivered a keynote on leveraging blockchain and AI to accelerate economic diversification and environmental resilience. Engaged with top leaders across academia, industry, and government in shaping strategies for the UAE’s digital and climate-driven future.

Overview:

Professor Raša Karapandža organized a blockchain community meeting between Stefan Jackel head of foreign listings at NYSE and NYUAD and NYU students in NYC Professor Karapandža met with NYU Abu Dhabi students and alumni, as well as Stefan Jackel, Head of Foreign Listings at the New York Stock Exchange. These meetings directly advanced the objectives of project and the Ripple Blockchain Collaboratory by reinforcing institutional partnerships, enhancing alumni and ecosystem engagement, and aligning with Ripple’s broader strategic priorities in blockchain innovation and global outreach.

Overview:

Professor Raša Karapandža and Professor Yaw Nyarko presented their current research to conference attendees. Professor Karapandža and Professor Nyarko shared key findings from their research on the CTED Volta Initiative, showcasing how blockchain technology can drive financial inclusion and economic development in emerging markets. The presentation inspired discussions among business leaders and blockchain experts on practical strategies for leveraging decentralized technologies to enhance financial systems and market access.

Overview:

Professor Yaw Nyarko acted as organizer and speaker for the program in collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) and World Monuments Fund. The goal was to foster conversation around recontextualizing the MET’s Arts of Africa Galleries by telling the stories of historic African heritage sites. Professor Nyarko presented CTED’s “Biography of a People” research and cultural heritage site developments. A dynamic panel discussion featured Alisa LaGamma, Sosena Solomon, and Tawanda Mukwende, who shared insights on African cultural narratives, heritage, and reimagining museum spaces.

Overview:

Professor Yaw Nyarko organized the event in conversation with Ann Bernstein, Founder and Executive Director of the Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE), South Africa’s leading development think tank. Ann Bernstein shared key insights on the challenges and opportunities facing South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU). The event explored the mixed reactions to the GNU, both domestically and internationally, and examined what is needed to ensure its future success.

Overview:

Professor Yaw Nyarko convened and moderated “Mini-Conference on Decision-Making Under Uncertainty: AI, Technology, Markets, and Sustainable Development” at NYU New York. Professor Nyarko  gave a presentation on the “Economic Rationality of Your AI Advisor.” Engaged experts from academia in discussions on the role of AI and technology in shaping decision-making processes under uncertainty, with a focus on market dynamics and sustainable development.

Overview:

Professor Yaw Nyarko led a presentation in a virtual seminar for the Ghana Ministry of Finance and the International Growth Centre (IGC) Ghana Office on using AI, blockchain, and technology for creating inclusion for smallholder farmers to access modern financial markets. This IGC Ghana Policy Seminar Series is hosted for Ghana’s Ministry of Finance staff. Professor Yaw Nyarko presented the “CTED Volta Initiative” project to high-level Ghanaian Ministry of Finance staff and explained how AI and blockchain technology can bridge financial gaps for smallholder farmers, fostering greater economic inclusion and access to modern financial markets. Disseminated research to key policymakers in Ghana.

Overview:

Professor Yaw Nyarko was nominated as one of ten winners by the Falling Walls Science Summit under the Social Sciences and Humanities category. The summit is an annual conference that brings together “leaders from the worlds of science, business, politics, the arts and society” in Berlin, Germany. Professor Yaw Nyarko was honored as one of ten winners in the Social Sciences and Humanities category.

Overview:

Professor Yaw Nyarko hosted an awards and art collaboration program at NYU CTED, Kumawu in Ghana. The event highlighted the collaboration between Tweneboa Kodua Senior High School (TKSHS) art students and teachers. The goal was to showcase the creativity of the students from the arts programs led by NYU CTED. Awards were given for top academic performances and teacher appreciation. The community was a part of this event and learned about CTED’s work and support of youth programs. Students presented their artwork and fashion ideas through a fashion show and developed vocational skills through participating in the CTED programs.

Overview:

The NHEF Higher Education Forum, a prestigious event that brings together educators, industry experts, and private sector leaders to engage in discussion on ways to further strengthen the Nigerian higher education system and identify potential areas of development. Professor Yaw Nyarko was a speaker at the NHEF Higher Education Forum. 

Overview:

NYU Africa House is delighted to collaborate with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) on the conference "Africa AI Blueprint: Building a Sustainable and Inclusive AI Ecosystem. Digitalization, automation, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing prosperity by enhancing daily life through technologies like blockchain, Internet of Things, and 3D printing, which perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence. AI is particularly transformative, driving sustainable development and economic growth across various sectors. In early 2024, the African Union's High-Level Panel on Emerging Technologies (APET) published a White Paper on AI's strategic importance. A Continental AI Strategy adopted in June 2024, aiming to drive Africa’s development and inclusive growth. AUDA-NEPAD is also working on an AI Governance mechanism to address sector-specific applications and policy needs. However, the rise of these disruptive technologies brings risks such as security threats and economic instability, necessitating global collaboration to ensure cybersecurity and digital trust for future generations. To that effect, the high-level event organized by NYU Africa House and AUDA-NEPAD on the side of the Summit of the Future will address the following:  

Building a Foundation for Africa’s AI Ecosystem 

• Bridging the Infrastructure Gap 

• Cultivating Human Capacity 

• Fostering Research and Innovation 

• Mapping the Future of AI in Africa 

Addressing Risks, Maximizing Benefits, and Ensuring Ethical Responsible AI 

• Mitigating Job Displacement and Economic Disruption 

• Ensuring Fairness, Equity, and Inclusivity 

• Navigating the Geopolitical Landscape  

Program:

9:00 am - 9:30 am Registration and Welcome Coffee

9:30 am - 10:00 am Opening Remarks

By Mr. Edward Bergman (NYU Africa House Advisory Board Member), Prof. Yaw Nyarko (Professor of Economics at NYU and Director of NYU Africa House) and Mme Nardos Bekele-Thomas (AUDA-NEPAD CEO)

10:00 am - 10:30 am Prof. Sanjay Reddy (Economics at The New School for Social Research, New York) keynote address on “The Strategic Importance of AI for Africa’s Future: Navigating Governance and Ethical Considerations”

10:30 am - 11:30 am Panel Discussion 1, featured Prof. Yaw Nyarko (Professor of Economics at NYU and Director of NYU Africa House) and Prof. Raša Karapandža, (Professor of Finance and Dean at EBS and Visiting Professor at NYU Abu Dhabi) to present on “The Future of Global Banking and Economic Development in Africa in the Era of Digitalization”

11:30 am - 12:30 am Panel Discussion 2, featured Dr. Rachel Adams (Director of the African Observatory on Responsible AI), Mr. Pierre-Christopher Gam (MIT Researcher) and Dr. Byron E. Price (professor of public administration at Medgar Evers College), to present on “Addressing Risks, Maximizing Benefits, and Ensuring Ethical AI”

12:30 am - 1:30 pm Lunch

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Roundtable Discussion, featured Mr. Amine Idriss Adoum (Director Economic, Infrastructure, Industrialisation and Market Trade), Mr. Kojo Boakye (Meta’s Vice President of Public Policy for Africa), Leonida Mutuku (AI Research Director Local Development Research Institute), Dr. Duncan Cass-Beggs, (Executive Director of AI Global Risk Initiative Center for International Governance Innovation)

2:30 pm - 2:45 pm Closing Remarks and Next Steps

Overview:

The conference, hosted by the African Finance and Economic Association (AFEA) focused on the theme “Strengthening African Economies: Targeted Innovations and Strategies for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development,” providing a platform for discussions on shaping the continent’s financial and economic landscape. Professor Yaw Nyarko delivered a presentation highlighting technological interventions such as AI and blockchain for African development. Presented research to academics, researchers, and policymakers in Ghana and Africa.

Overview:

The AERC’s 60th Biannual Research Workshop opened with a high-level plenary session in Nairobi, Kenya, focusing on youth, migration, and economic opportunities in African economies. Keynote speeches and presentations explored strategies for harnessing the demographic dividend, tackling youth unemployment, and promoting productivity in the informal sector. Professor Yaw Nyarko presented our research projects regarding technology and economic development in Africa, focusing on economic opportunities for the youth.

Overview:

As part of NYU Abu Dhabi’s Blockchain Collective, Professor Raša Karapandža led an engaging session for students to learn about Solana. Participants gained insights into the Solana blockchain and the Superteam UAE initiative, exploring opportunities to learn, earn, and innovate in the crypto space. The event fostered networking among blockchain enthusiasts while offering hands-on learning experiences.