Reflections From Cambridge-Africa Fireside Chats with Leading Experts from Mainstack and UNICEF
By Adeniyi Emmanuel (Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund Coordinator)
In June 2025, the Cambridge-Africa Programme team hosted two fireside chats, bringing together African postgraduate scholars and industry leaders for insightful conversations focused on career preparation. These sessions reflected our ongoing commitment to bridging academic learning with real-world impact, leadership, and innovation.
Session One: Drawing From Real World Lesson of Building a Startup with International Impact - Ayobami Oyaleke
The first fireside chat featured Ayobami Oyaleke, CEO of Mainstack, a leading digital platform empowering creators and businesses in Africa.
About Ayobami Oyaleke
Ayobami “Ayo” Oyaleke is the co-founder and CEO of Mainstack, a venture-backed fintech platform using AI to streamline payments for businesses. With over a decade of experience in software engineering and fintech, he has worked with leading firms like Microsoft, Meta, and Danaher Corporation. Ayo holds a Master’s in Finance from the University of Leicester, blending technical expertise with financial acumen to drive innovation. A serial entrepreneur and global speaker, Ayo has spoken at TEDx, Dublin Tech Summit, Africa Fintech Summit. He leads Mainstack’s operations across the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Nigeria, shaping the future of digital commerce.
Ayobami shared his journey of building a tech-driven company from the ground up, offering practical advice on entrepreneurship, resilience, and leveraging technology to solve African challenges. Participants engaged in discussions around translating academic learning into sustainable business models and the importance of digital innovation in shaping Africa’s future economy.
Session Two: Navigating Careers in International Development with Emelia Allan
Our second session featured Emelia Allan, Chief of Child Protection at UNICEF Zambia.
About Emelia Allan
Emelia Allan is the Chief of Child Protection at UNICEF Zambia, with nearly 30 years of experience in government and international NGOs.
She has served in leadership roles across Nigeria, Pakistan, Ghana, and Zambia, including as Child Protection Manager at UNICEF Nigeria and Specialist at UNICEF Pakistan.
Prior to UNICEF, Emelia worked with Plan International for a decade in various capacities. She holds an MSc in Health Education and Health Promotion from Leeds Metropolitan University and an MA in Gender, Peace, and Security from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre. She also has certifications from Harvard School of Public Health and others in public finance for children and communication for development.
During the session Emelia drew on her extensive experience in championing child rights and welfare across Africa and beyond during her work with the United Nations. She shared insights from her journey collaborating with governments and provided the latest updates on career opportunities within the UN system.
During the session, Emelia outlined the roles of different UN agencies and highlighted UNICEF’s specific mandate. She placed particular emphasis on entry strategies and key requirements for securing roles within UNICEF, offering practical guidance for scholars aspiring to build careers in international development.
Why These Conversations Matter
These fireside chats were designed to bridge academic knowledge with real-world practice. For African scholars, engaging directly with industry and policy leaders provides practical insight and clear guidance on shaping careers and driving meaningful impact.
We are deeply grateful to our speakers for their generosity in sharing their time and expertise. At Cambridge-Africa, we remain committed to enriching the experience of African scholars during their time in Cambridge and beyond. These conversations are only the beginning, and we look forward to creating more opportunities that equip Africa’s next generation of leaders to thrive on a global stage.