Landry Signé is a Senior Fellow at the Global Economy and Development Program and Africa Growth Initiative at the Brookings Institution. He is a Professor and Executive Director at the Thunderbird School of Global Management, distinguished fellow at Stanford University, Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum Regional Action Group for Africa, Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum Friends of the African Continental Free Trade Area, and Member of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on the Future of Technology Policy. He is a world-renowned professor and leading practitioner bridging ideas and actions to solve some of the world’s most complex challenges, who has won over 80 awards and distinctions globally for his academic, policy, business, and leadership accomplishments, including being recognized as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader for “finding innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues,” one of “Apolitical’s 100 Most Influential Academics in Government” in the world, one of the “100 Most Influential Africans” in the world and “Thought Leader Extraordinaire” by New Africa Magazine, an Andrew Carnegie Fellow for being one of the “most creative thinkers”, a Desmond Tutu Fellow, a Rubenstein Fellow, and a Wilson Center Public Policy Fellow. He has authored numerous key publications and books, including Innovating Development Strategies in Africa (Cambridge University Press, 2017), African Development, African Transformation (Cambridge University Press, 2018), Unlocking Africa’s Business Potential (Brookings Institution Press, 2020), and Africa’s Fourth Industrial Revolution (Cambridge University Press, 2023)
Realizing Africa’s Potential is an essential and powerful guide for anyone committed to an integrated, resilient, and prosperous Africa, playing a strong role in the global economy. Given his worldwide leadership connecting the most influential business, political, academic, and societal stakeholders to solve global challenges, Professor Signé is uniquely positioned to shape the future of African business - a future that focuses on partnership, industrialization, job creation, and meeting development goals. His work stands as a pivotal contribution to Africa’s economic renaissance, promoting unity and solidarity among Africans for sustainable and inclusive growth. The continent remains infinitely grateful for the unique contributions of Professor Landry Signé. As one of our most extraordinary and impactful thought leaders, he has bridged the gap between powerful aspirations and transformational real-world outcomes, fostering progress and inspiring change across Africa. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to understand and engage with Africa’s dynamic economic transformation. -- H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General, African Continental Trade Area Realizing Africa’s Potential: A Journey to Prosperity, comes at the perfect time to act as a compass and a catalyst for businesses, both established and emerging, to navigate African markets and find success in the world’s most promising region. It is with immense gratitude that we welcome this pivotal work by Professor Landry Signé who shares the optimistic and practical vision that the private sector can unlock Africa’s prosperity. Professor Landry Signé’s lifelong dedication to elevating Africa’s presence on the global stage and improving livelihoods shines through this book as he inspires business leaders and investors to be an active part in Africa’s economic transformation. He not only inspires readers through analyzing opportunities and trends within different sectors, but also provides strategic advice based on his wealth of knowledge and future-looking evidence that can help move investors from inspiration to action. -- Børge Brende, President, World Economic Forum Realizing Africa’s Potential is a bold, unique and captivating masterpiece, a transformational guide to harnessing Africa’s boundless potential. Our own Professor Landry Signé, the world’s most authoritative and extraordinary thought leader on the topic with unparalleled depth and transformative insights shines through, offering global leaders future-oriented perspectives into navigating African economies and realizing their potential successfully. This book is not only a powerful tool for entrepreneurs, business executives, and investors, but also provides important insights for public sector leaders to better understand both the complexities of African business environments, critical sectors, and strategies on how to effectively work together to transform economies for the benefit of all Africans. -- H.E. Prof Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, 6th President of the Republic of Mauritius Once again, Professor Landry Signé proves his leadership in the realm of African economies through his profound work, Realizing Africa’s Potential: A Journey to Prosperity. The book provides insights into Africa’s thriving and emerging business sectors, crafting a manual for business leaders that is both enlightening and actionable. As both a scholar and a pioneer, Professor Landry Signé offers evidence-based expertise into the intricacies of African markets, providing a fresh take on how the private sector can thrive across one of the world’s most promising regions. -- H.E. Dr. Joyce Banda, First Female President of the Republic of Malawi and Africa's Second Female President Professor Landry Signé’s Realizing Africa’s Potential is an essential blueprint that guides business leaders and policymakers through the continent’s dynamic industries from mining to insurance and more. Leveraging his deep expertise in African business markets and economic development, Professor Landry Signé, one of our most influential thought leaders, is leading the way in offering inspiration and a clear path to success for those who wish to master the continent’s investment landscape, much needed to achieve Agenda 2063. It is a must read for all those contributing to the continent’s socio-economic transformation and progress. -- Ambassador Albert Mudenda Muchanga, African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals