The Vice President Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has reiterated calls for stronger African representation on the United Nations Security Council, describing the current global governance system as unbalanced.
Speaking at the Oxford Africa Conference 2026, the Vice President said Africa’s limited presence in key global decision-making bodies reflects a growing imbalance in the distribution of global power.
She added that representation alone is not enough, stressing that many developing countries still face high borrowing costs and limited access to financing.
According to her, these challenges continue to constrain governments’ ability to drive economic growth and improve the lives of their citizens.
The Oxford Africa Conference being held at the Andrew Wiles Building of the University of Oxford is now in its 16th edition with the annual event becoming one of the university’s flagship Africa-focused forums and attracting participants from academia, policymaking, business and the development sector.
This year’s conference is themed “Anchoring Africa: Grounded Leadership in the Age of Disruption.” Discussions are focused on how African leadership and institutions can respond to global challenges such as economic uncertainty, rapid technological change, climate change and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
The programme features keynote addresses, panel discussions, fireside chats, networking sessions and policy dialogues aimed at generating practical Africa-centred solutions.
The conference is organised by the Oxford University Africa Society, a student-led platform that convenes policymakers, scholars, entrepreneurs and global leaders to discuss Africa’s development and future.
