Established in 1921 and headquartered in New York City and Washington, D.C., CFR is a nonpartisan institution renowned for its influential role in shaping global policy.
Its membership comprises high-ranking politicians, secretaries of state, CIA directors, bankers, academics, corporate leaders, and prominent media figures.
The Global Board of Advisors (GBA), now in its twelfth year, serves as a platform to strengthen CFR's understanding of international perspectives. It fosters dialogue between U.S. leaders in global affairs and their counterparts from other nations, further enriching CFR's work.
CFR hosts meetings that bring together government officials, business executives, and members of the intelligence and foreign policy communities to address critical international issues. It is also the publisher of Foreign Affairs, a bi-monthly journal widely regarded as a leading voice in foreign policy analysis since 1922.
'I am honored to have been asked to join the Council on Foreign Relations Global Board of Advisors and am grateful for the chance to bring a positive African narrative to the discussions,' said Dr. James Mwangi, Managing Director and CEO of Equity Group.
'The chance to explain Africa's contributions to the world now and for decades to come as the continent takes its place on the global stage will mean greater productive collaborations for countries around the world to sustainably partner with the people of Africa,' he added.
Dr. Mwangi joins an elite group of 33 GBA members, including business leaders, scholars, and former government officials from both developed and emerging economies.
The board provides valuable regional insights and creates opportunities for members to engage in CFR's discussions on global relations and the U.S.'s evolving role.
CFR's Africa Program plays a vital role in shaping understanding of the continent's dynamics through initiatives such as the Africa in Transition blog and roundtable series like 'Africa Strategic Opportunities' and 'U.S. Strategic African Partners.'
The program also engages global audiences through lectures, briefings, and publications focused on African political and security issues.
Dr. Mwangi, a career banker, is celebrated for his visionary leadership in inclusive finance and socio-economic transformation.
As Group Managing Director and CEO of Equity Group Holdings Plc, he has guided the institution from a small, struggling entity to one of the largest and most successful financial institutions globally.
Equity Group has been recognized as the second-strongest financial brand globally in 2024 by Brand Finance and as the strongest financial brand in Africa by Brand Africa in the same year.
Dr. Mwangi's achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including the 2012 Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year, making him the first Sub-Saharan African to receive the award.
He was also inducted into the Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame and the World Entrepreneurship Academy.
He has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Emerging Market Business Leaders and among the 20 most influential people in Africa by the Financial Times.
Other honors include Forbes Africa's 2012 Person of the Year and inclusion in the Bloomberg 50 list of global influencers in 2019.
Dr. Mwangi is deeply involved in international advisory roles, serving on several high-profile boards and councils, including the World Bank Group High-Level Advisory Council on jobs, the Economic Advisory Board of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Global Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition.
In Kenya, he has played a pivotal role in national development, serving as the founding Chair of Vision 2030, the founding Chancellor of Meru University of Science and Technology, and currently as the founding Chancellor of Open University of Kenya.
With his appointment to CFR's Global Board of Advisors, Dr. Mwangi is expected to continue to amplify Africa's voice on the world stage, highlighting the continent's potential for sustainable partnerships and global progress.
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