Obado, Beatrice Grace

IE University, Spain

Beatrice Grace Obado is an Associate Professor of International Relations and Sustainable Development at IE University’s School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs. She teaches courses on emerging technologies and sustainable development, as well as politics and society in Africa, to both graduate and undergraduate students. Her research focuses on international development, governance, technological innovation, sustainable management of human and natural resources, and the impact of emerging technologies on the Global South, particularly Africa

As the chair and founder of Africa 2.0 Spain, a non-profit organization, she has led initiatives in collaboration with the EU to empower African diaspora leaders as catalysts for Africa’s development. Her presentations and publications include a keynote presentation to the German G20 in 2017 on “Structural Transformation and Digitization of Africa’s Economies” and a policy brief during India’s G20 tenure that was selected as one of 27 from over 320 for inclusion in the 2023 G20 compendium “Bridging the Ingenuity Gap – Ideas for a Vibrant G20.”

Previously, she served as the International Business Director at Hidrolution, a biotech water company, and tout at Schiller International University in Spain. In 2004, she was honored with the Best Professor Award for master’s programs at IE School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs, and was selected as the Dean’s Pick Speaker at IE’S Global Alumni Weekend. She has also been recognized for her leadership and impact being featured in South Africa’s Tropics magazine 500 list of top achievers in 2021 and named by El País as one of the top 10 most impactful African women in 2015.