Sierra Leonean President, Rtd. Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, delivered a powerful keynote address at the Oxford Africa Conference 2025 in London today, emphasizing the critical need for "African Agency" in shaping the continent's narrative and future. The annual conference, a leading global platform for dialogue on African development, is hosted by the Oxford University Africa Society (AfriSoc) at the Blavatnik School of Government.
President Bio's speech, under the theme "Changing Narratives: Vision, Action, and Transformation of Africa," directly challenged the prevailing global portrayals of Africa often focused on "dependency, conflict, and underdevelopment." He asserted that Africans must take control of their own story, highlighting the invaluable daily contributions of ordinary citizens—from farmers to entrepreneurs—who are actively driving positive change within their communities.
During his address, President Bio outlined Sierra Leone's "Game Changers" for national development, which include food security, human capital development, youth employment, technology and infrastructure, and public service reforms. He further called for the decolonization of knowledge, advocating for Africans to lead in the production of scholarly work and insights about their own continent. The President stressed the importance of unified African action on global issues such as climate change, trade, international governance, and economic justice.
The Oxford Africa Conference, held from May 24th to 25th, serves as a pivotal gathering for students, global leaders, and distinguished speakers. Its core mission is to spark conversations that redefine perceptions of Africa, spotlight visionary leadership, and champion actionable steps toward sustainable transformation. Key themes explored at the conference typically span governance, economic development, healthcare, media and culture, climate and sustainability, and technological innovation. The conference aims to inspire change and forge connections among individuals dedicated to Africa's growth and prosperity.
