Prof. Kevin Chika URAMA, FAAS is the Senior Director of the African Development Institute. Prof. Urama is a Nigerian born, British Citizen, a very passionate Development Economist with Africa-wide and global experience.
Kevin holds a First Class Honours degree and a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; a Master of Philosophy degree with distinction and a Ph.D. in Land Economy from the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. He won the 2002-2003 James Claydon Prize for the most outstanding Ph.D. thesis in economics or related fields at St. Edmund’s College, University of Cambridge. More recently, he was named the Technology Executive of the Year by the Africa Technology Awards in 2012, adding to the many awards he has received for academic excellence and executive leadership.
He is also an elected Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS); an Extra-Ordinary Professor in the School of Public Leadership, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; an Adjunct Professor at the Sir Walter Murdoch School of Public Policy and International Affairs, Murdoch University, Western Australia, where he also serves on the Vice Chancellor’s International Strategic Advisory Board. Kevin is also an Expert Partner to the Africa Progress Group (APG) chaired by Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and was a Visiting Professor at the Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy, University College London until recently. He serves on various boards and global research committees to deliver inclusive green growth and sustainable development.
Before joining the African Development Bank, Kevin held various executive leadership positions in the academia, international organizations, and the private sector.