Mo Ibrahim Foundation
Dr Ibrahim is the Founder and Chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation which he established in 2006 to support good governance and exceptional leadership on the African continent.
Sudanese-born, Dr Ibrahim has a distinguished business career. In 1989 he founded Mobile Systems International (MSI), a world leading cellular consulting and software provider and in 1998, Celtel International, one of Africa’s leading mobile telephone companies which pioneered mobile services in Africa.
Dr Ibrahim is also Founding Chairman of Satya Capital Limited, a private equity fund focused on Africa and Chairman of TPG-Satya, a Joint African Investment Alliance.
Education:
- The University of Alexandria, Egypt - BSc Electrical Engineering
- University of Bradford, UK - MSc Mobile Communications
- University of Birmingham, UK where he was a Senior Research Fellow and earned a PhD in Mobile
- Communications
Honorary Degrees and Fellowships:
- University of Pennsylvania
- London Business School
- SOAS - University of London
- Imperial College
- Birmingham University
- Bradford University
- De Montfort University, Leicester
- Royal Academy of Engineering
- Bartels Fellowship, Cornell University
- Honorary Doctorate from Lancaster University
Awards
- The GSM Association’s Chairman’s Award for Lifetime Achievement (2007)
- The Economist Innovation Award for Social & Economic Innovation (2007)
- The FIRST International Award for Responsible Capitalism (2008)
- BNP Paribas Prize for Philanthropy (2008)
- Oslo Business for Peace Award (2009)
- Raymond Georis Prize for Innovative Philanthropy in Europe (2010)
- Clinton Global Citizen Award (2010)
- The Millenium Excellence Award for Actions in Africa (2012)
- The David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award (2012)
- The Africare Leadership Award (2013)
- The Kiel Institute Global Economy Prize (2013)
- The Witness ‘See it, Film it, Change it Award (2013)
- The Eisenhower Medal for Distinguished Leadership and Service (2014)
- The Foreign Policy Association Medal (2014)
- International Republic Institute (IRI) Freedom Award (2015)
- Danish CSR Honor Prize (2015)
- Dr Ibrahim was made Commander of the Order of the Lion (Senegal) by President Macky Sall (February 2014)
- Commandeur of the Wissam Arch by H.M. King Mohammed V1 of Morocco (July 2014)
Dr Ibrahim has featured in the following Influential Lists:
- TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world (2008)
- The New African: 2014 Most Influential Africans
- Bloomberg Markets 50 Most Influential (2015)
Board, Advisory Committees and Council Memberships
- The Africa Foundation for Governance and Leadership (Honorary Board)
- American University in Cairo
- 21st Century Council
- US Council on Foreign Relations (Global Board of Advisors)
- Foreign & Commonwealth Office (Diplomatic Excellence External Panel)
- Global Commission on Business and Sustainable Development
- IFC Economic Advisory Board
- International Crisis Group
- London Business School
- Mandela Rhodes Foundation
- Mercy Corps Global leadership Council
- Natural Resources Governance Institute Governing Body
- ONE
- Open Government Partnership (International Expert Panel/Ambassadors)
- Open Society Foundation Global Legal Empowerment Initiative (International Advisory Council)
- Oxford Martin School
- Reuters (Editorial Advisory Board)
- Trade out of Poverty (Advisory Board)
Dr Ibrahim is also a member of:
- B Team
- Clinton Global Initiative
- The Giving Pledge
- Global Philanthropist Circle (Synergos)
- UNCTAD’s panel of Eminent Person