Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now.
The Voice of Africa Introduction:
At The Voice of Africa, we’re on a mission to amplify the stories of Africans shaping the world—those who defy boundaries, rewrite narratives, and build legacies of innovation. Today, we shine the spotlight on Amos Adu Akoto, a Ghanaian visionary whose journey from Accra’s financial hubs to MIT’s cutting-edge labs embodies the boundless potential of African talent. With roots in investment banking and a bold leap into deeptech, Amos is proving that Africa’s future lies not just in its resources, but in its ability to create, innovate, and lead on the global stage.
From Ghana to the World: The Making of a Trailblazer:
Amos’s journey kicked off in the vibrant heart of Accra, where he sharpened his financial skills at Ashesi University before stepping confidently into Ghana’s dynamic investment landscape. At IC Securities, he tackled high-profile deals across public and private markets, contributing to transactions totaling around $700 million—a testament to his growing expertise. His next chapter unfolded at Stanbic Investment Management, one of Ghana’s leading pension funds. There, he led the research team overseeing an $800 million portfolio and broke new ground as the first private pension fund manager in the country to pioneer private equity investments, leaving a lasting mark on the industry.
“I loved the precision of finance,” Amos tells The Voice of Africa. “But I knew Africa’s story was bigger than balance sheets. I wanted to build something that could transform industries.” That vision drove him to MIT Sloan for an MBA, where he merged his financial expertise with a passion for innovation.
Pivoting to Deeptech: A New Frontier for Africa
Amos’s time at MIT was a game-changer. While working on Bose Corporation’s Ventures and M&A team, he invested in wearable tech startups, bridging hardware and software to empower entrepreneurs. Today, he’s part of an MIT semiconductor startup focused on Vertical Gallium Nitride Technology—a mouthful, sure, but a breakthrough that promises to revolutionize power efficiency in data centers. “Silicon’s days are numbered,” Amos says with a grin. “This tech is the future of high-powered electronics, and I’m helping bring it to life.”
For Amos, this isn’t just about tech—it’s about Africa. “Industrial innovation like this can power our continent’s economic transformation,” he explains. “From data centers to clean energy, we have the chance to lead, not just follow.”
Why MIT Sloan?
“MIT was my bridge to the future,” Amos shares. “I needed a place where I could connect finance with deeptech and venture capital—where I could dream beyond Ghana and build for the world.” MIT’s ecosystem of startups, thinkers, and doers gave him the tools to turn vision into action.
Biggest Lesson Learned:
“Innovation thrives on collaboration,” he says. “Africa’s strength is in our diversity—our ability to bring people together and solve big problems. That’s what I’ve seen at MIT, and it’s what I’ll take back home.”
A Message to Africa’s Youth:
Amos’s journey is a clarion call to young Africans everywhere. “Don’t limit yourself to banking or law,” he urges. “Step into semiconductors, AI, advanced manufacturing—the industries that will define tomorrow. We belong at the table where the future is built.” For him, Africa’s next chapter isn’t just about tapping resources—it’s about owning intellectual property and driving global change.
Dream for the Continent:
“I dream of an Africa that creates, not just consumes,” Amos says. “Imagine venture funds in Accra backing the next big tech breakthrough, or factories in Lagos powered by African ingenuity. That’s the legacy I want to help build.”
Where He Sees Himself in 10 Years:
“Splitting time between Accra and Boston,” he laughs. “I want to lead a deeptech venture fund that puts African talent at the forefront—proving we can innovate, scale, and compete anywhere.”
The Voice of Africa Takeaway:
Amos Adu Akoto is more than an investor or innovator—he’s a symbol of what’s possible when African ambition meets global opportunity. His story reminds us that the continent’s future hinges on bold thinkers who dare to reinvent themselves and their world. As he told The Voice of Africa, “It’s time to dream beyond borders. The next century belongs to those who build it—and Africa will be there.”
