Center for Technology, Economics, and Development (CTED) Launches in Germany
The Center for Technology, Economics, and Development (CTED), a joint research initiative of New York University (NYU) and EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht, launched its European hub during the 36th EBS Symposium in Oestrich-Winkel, Germany. The launch took place in the presence of distinguished guests, including Nobel Prize winners Guido Imbens and Benjamin List, and leaders from industry and finance such as Michael Brigl (Head of BCG Central Europe), Harald Christ (Founder & Chairman, Christ Group / Christ & Company), Anouk Berg (Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management), Walter Sinn (Managing Partner Germany, Bain & Company), Gregor Weber (J.P. Morgan, Corporate/Global Corporate Bank leadership), Christof Bechtel (Head of Investment Banking for Germany & Austria, Bank of America), Marcus Stein (Senior M&A banker, Deutsche Bank), Christoph Heuer (Head of Investment Banking Germany, BNP Paribas), Xavier Bellagamba, PhD (Lead Product Manager, Custody, Ripple), and Lauren Weymouth (Director, Partnerships at UBRI, Ripple).
Led by Professors Yaw Nyarko (NYU) and Raša Karapandža (EBS/NYU), CTED develops innovative, technology-driven solutions to address critical economic challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. By combining rigorous academic research, cutting-edge technology, and deep local expertise, CTED’s work has already reached tens of thousands of people across Africa, and now expands its reach through Europe. According to CTED Founding Director Professor Yaw Nyarko, “Our expansion to EBS University is a major milestone in building a global research platform for inclusive innovation. By bridging academic expertise in the U.S., Europe, Africa, and U.A.E., we can accelerate solutions that drive real economic change for smallholder farmers and people in Africa. Our partnership with EBS University strengthens CTED’s ability to bridge rigorous research with real-world impact. By linking our fieldwork in Africa with EBS’s academic excellence in Germany, we can generate new insights, test innovative technologies, and shape policy frameworks that improve lives.”
This news was featured in the Wiesbadener Kurier publication.
Transformational Change: Ghana Commodity Exchange
We are happy to share that Professor Yaw Nyarko, in collaboration with the Dean of EBS Business School and Visiting Professor at NYUAD, Professor Raša Karapandža, has been recognized as a winner in the Social Sciences & Humanities category of the Falling Walls Foundation Global Call 2024.
This prestigious recognition showcases their collaborative work in transforming rural agricultural markets in Africa through cutting-edge technologies and innovative market solutions. Together, Professors Nyarko and Karapandža are advancing research that leverages blockchain, AI and digital currencies to improve market access and drive economic development for the most vulnerable farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. Their collaborative efforts are not only pushing the boundaries of academic research but are also having a significant impact on the ground, enabling farmers to secure better prices, access vital credit, and improve their livelihoods. This recognition underlines the importance of collaboration and innovation in tackling global challenges.
