London – The Royal African Society (RAS), one of the United Kingdom’s oldest Africa-focused institutions, has appointed Stella Okuzu as its Interim Director, effective September 1. The move comes as the organization seeks to reinforce its position at the intersection of Africa’s economic rise and the UK’s evolving global partnerships.
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Founded in 1901, the Society has long served as a hub for dialogue between Africa and the UK, but its role has grown more strategic in recent years as African economies expand and attract greater international attention. The IMF forecasts that five of the world’s ten fastest-growing economies in 2025 will be African, underscoring the urgency of stronger cross-continental collaboration.
Okuzu’s appointment reflects this shift. With over two decades in banking, finance, and consultancy, she brings expertise that aligns with Africa’s priorities in market access, capital raising, and digital finance. As Founder and CEO of EDD Finance & Consulting, she has overseen cross-border funding projects, many targeting African markets. Her prior tenure at FCMB Bank (UK) Ltd saw her launch Africa-focused financial products for SMEs and high-net-worth clients, contributing to a rise in Africa-linked deposits in London’s financial district at a time when UK-African trade volumes grew by 8% between 2020 and 2024.
Her corporate portfolio also spans board-level governance: she serves as a Non-Executive Director at FastCredit Limited, a Nigerian Central Bank–licensed lender, where she chairs the Audit & Risk Committee. In a continent where over 60% of adults remain unbanked, her focus on digital inclusion highlights an agenda consistent with Africa’s fintech boom, which attracted more than $2.3 billion in venture capital in 2023.
Beyond finance, Okuzu’s academic contributions at BPP University London, lecturing in Global Strategy & Sustainability, position her as a voice bridging private sector pragmatism with thought leadership. She is also co-authoring Fintech for Management, a forthcoming textbook expected to frame how digital transformation will shape financial services in both developed and emerging markets.
Her appointment is equally symbolic. Recognized among the Top 200 Voices in Leadership (2022) by LeadersHum and named by the Mayor of London in 2023 as one of the Women Who Make London Great, Okuzu represents a new generation of African leadership voices commanding recognition in global capitals.
“Africa stands at the intersection of extraordinary challenges and opportunities—from digital innovation and entrepreneurship to sustainability and cultural exchange,” Okuzu said, noting her vision is to amplify African voices and enterprises on the global stage.
The transition also marks the departure of Andrew Skipper MBE, whose tenure strengthened the Society’s platform for dialogue. Under his leadership, the RAS expanded policy advocacy and cultural programming, cementing its relevance at a time when UK-Africa trade and investment were increasingly under scrutiny.
With Okuzu at the helm, the Royal African Society is expected to sharpen its focus on Africa’s role in shaping global markets, from fintech adoption to sustainable development. The Society’s appointment signals continuity with its 124-year legacy, while pointing toward a more data-driven, economically anchored engagement with the continent’s future.
