Isaac KWAKU FOKUO, JR

Isaac is an international political economy advisor and experienced global executive with political and investment acumen in Africa and the larger global South, keen on powering developing economies by creating opportunities, catalyzing conversation, and connecting capital.

Isaac is the Founder of the Amahoro Coalition, an African-led initiative convening multi-sector actors from across the region to accelerate private-sector leadership in driving sustainable market-based interventions that advance economic inclusion for displaced populations. One of the main convening platforms is the Africa Forum on Displacement: Private Sector Solutions. Through this Forum, the Coalition has mobilized partners to make over 40 pledges for FDPs across the continent. These pledges amount to financial and in-kind support work of over USD 200 million and are estimated to benefit over 150,000 refugees. In 2023, the Coalition directly engaged over 400 private sector companies, resulting in over 2100 job commitments for FDPs in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, and Ethiopia and a wider range of non-financial contributions, including access to training, financial services, and more.

Isaac is also the Founder and Principal of Botho Emerging Markets Group, an investment and strategy advisory firm with offices in Nairobi, Dubai, and Chicago. With two decades of experience working in 20 markets across North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, Isaac has an extensive and successful track record in investment facilitation, strategy consulting, and policy advisory across sectors including Finance, Technology, Healthcare, Education, and more. At Botho, Isaac has provided strategic investment support to investors and companies, overseeing transactions worth over $2 billion in debt and equity.
Prior to founding Botho, Isaac was the CEO of the African Leadership Network (ALN), where, during his tenure, the organization raised over $100 million in funding for member entities. Isaac holds a BA from Hanover College, an MA from the University of Chicago, an MBA from DePaul University Kellstadt School of Business, and a Certificate in Leadership from the University of Oxford. He is a 2014 Archbishop Desmond Tutu Fellow and a Trustee of Hanover College. In 2021, The New African magazine named Isaac among the Top 100 Most Influential Africans. He also serves on several Boards, including Ashesi University, Kepler University, The Graca Machel Trust Investment Advisory Board, The Boardroom Africa, and AMREF Health Innovation, Limited.