On the day before the 28th Annual Harvard Business School Africa Business Conference, the Harvard Center for African Studies will host back‑to‑back programs examining Africa’s role at the intersection of geopolitics, critical minerals, and emerging technologies. Both conversations will take place on Friday, March 27 at the Harvard Center for African Studies, 1280 Massachusetts Ave, 3rd Floor (left door of Tatte, Harvard Square).
Director’s Lunch with U.S. Ambassador Tulinabo Mushingi
The Harvard Center for African Studies will host a Director’s Lunch with U.S. Ambassador Tulinabo Mushingi, focusing on the geopolitical race for critical minerals—particularly copper, cobalt, and rare earths—and what these shifting supply chains mean for African governments, businesses, and communities. The lunch will run from 12:00–1:30pm. . A film screening featuring the Ambassador will be screened at CAS and at the HBS Africa Business Conference.
Coffee Conversation with Emmanuel Lubanzadio, OpenAI Africa Lead
Immediately following the Director’s Lunch, the Center for African Studies will host a coffee conversation with Emmanuel Lubanzadio, OpenAI’s Africa Lead, to discuss the opportunities and challenges that artificial intelligence presents for Africa and its global partnerships. The conversation will take place from 2:00–3:30pm in collaboration with the Center for International Development and the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program.
Tulinabo S. Mushingi, PhD, displayed a tireless devotion to duty, exemplary service to the American people and an impactful performance over a 35-year U.S. Foreign Service career under six U.S. Presidents, the last 11 years working as a Senate confirmed U.S. Ambassador to five countries. Most recently, he served as U.S. Ambassador to Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe from 2022-2024. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Mushingi served as U.S. Ambassador to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau from 2017-2022 and as U.S. Ambassador to Burkina Faso from 2013-2016.
Ambassador Mushingi also served as Deputy Executive Secretary in the Executive Secretariat and Executive Director of the Executive Office of the Secretary of State. He served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia. Other assignments were in Malaysia, Mozambique, Morocco, Tanzania, the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, the Bureau of International Organization Affairs and the Bureau of Human Resources, the National Foreign Affairs Training Center, in addition to lecturing at universities. Ambassador Mushingi’s leadership, deft interpersonal skills, and commercial diplomacy skills have made significant impacts across the globe. He is the recipient of numerous awards for outstanding leadership including a Presidential Meritorious Award.
Dr. Mushingi has worked for the U.S. Peace Corps in Papua New Guinea, DR Congo, Niger, and the Central African Republic, was a visiting lecturer at Dartmouth College and taught at Howard University and The National University of Burundi. Ambassador Mushingi was awarded a M.A. from Howard University and a Ph.D. from Georgetown University.
Emmanuel Lubanzadio is the Africa Lead at OpenAI, where he leads the strategic engagement across the continent at the intersection of policy, partnerships, and ecosystem development.
Prior to joining OpenAI, Emmanuel built a global career spanning Africa, Europe, and the United States, working at the nexus of technology, public policy, and government relations. His experience includes senior leadership and advisory roles such as Head of Government Affairs for Africa at Twitter, Policy Advisor to the UNICEF–ITU Giga initiative, and Consultant to Block (Square, Cash App, TIDAL, and Afterpay). Earlier in his career, he held roles with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the Fresenius Group, the Center for International Private Enterprise, and the U.S. Congress.
Fluent in English, French, German, and Lingala, Emmanuel has been recognized as an Atlantic Dialogues Emerging Leader, an Atlantik-Brücke Young Leader, a Congressional Black Caucus Emerging Leader, and a Schmidt Futures International Strategy Forum Fellow. Drawing on his experience across the global technology ecosystem, he is committed to empowering people and institutions to harness technology as a catalyst for inclusive growth and societal transformation.
LOCATION:Harvard Center for African Studies STATUS:CONFIRMED DTSTART:20260327T160000Z DTEND:20260327T193000Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR