In September 2018, Oliver August became the CEO of Mawingu Networks, an African wireless internet service provider that aims to affordably connect the non-urban population in Africa. The service operates Wi-Fi hotspots that the public can use on a pay-as-you-go account. This enterprise is heavily supported by a string of... Read more
In September 2018, Oliver August became the CEO of Mawingu Networks, an African wireless internet service provider that aims to affordably connect the non-urban population in Africa. The service operates Wi-Fi hotspots that the public can use on a pay-as-you-go account. This enterprise is heavily supported by a string of international investors including Microsoft. Microsoft offered the initial investment and has publicly championed the company since. Barack Obama also publicly lauded Mawingu for “providing low-cost broadband”.
August was the Europe Editor at The Economist, covering a wide range of events from Gibraltar to Vladivostok. He writes extensively about the EU, the euro crisis and Russia.
He was The Economist’s Africa Editor. For five years, he covered the continent’s emergence as an economic success story, travelling in Africa every month to meet with government officials, business executives and entrepreneurs. August has a strong interest in foreign investment in Africa, and watches closely the China-Africa dimension.
August was previously based in Beijing for seven years and wrote a very well regarded book about China, “Inside the Red Mansion” which was translated into eleven languages. The book tells the story of the hunt for China’s most wanted man. Lai Changxing is an illiterate billionaire tycoon on the run from corruption charges. Sensing something emblematic in his outsized tale of rise and fall, he tries to find the self-made billionaire and understand how he reinvented himself.
He was a Middle East correspondent for The Times newspaper in Damascus, Beirut and Baghdad, and retains a strong interest in Arab political and business developments. He started his career as a correspondent for The Times of London.
August has covered financial markets in America, Europe and Asia, and worked as a war correspondent in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq.
He was born in Germany and his first book “Along the wall and watchtower: A journey down Germany’s divide” chronicles an 800 mile journey along the former Iron Curtain and examines the political, economic and social consequences of German reunification. His writing on Germany won him the Anglo-German Foundation Journalism Prize in 1998.
August regularly appears on the BBC, CNN and CNBC and speaks at major government and business conferences in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. His writing has appeared in Wired magazine, Marie Claire, U.S. News & World Report, the L.A. Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times and the Washington Post. In 2012 he was named “journalist of the year” at the Diageo Africa Business Reporting Awards.
For the past 15 years, Oliver August has been a company founder and prominent commentator in Africa’s green economy. He is currently the CEO of Continent Rising, the largest African media company covering clean-tech, renewable energy, electric vehicles and a dozen other climate-related business sectors. Previously, Oliver was CEO of Mawingu Networks, a solar-powered telco in Kenya, CTO of Nation Media Group, the largest pan-African media company, and Africa Editor of The Economist magazine. He is the author of two books and lives in Nairobi.
He says, “Climate change is talked about the world over. But even many insiders still lack insights specific to Africa. My mission at this critical time for the planet is to put the best Africa-specific climate knowledge and data into the hands of investors, executives, vendors, operators and officials.”
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You can book Oliver August through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Oliver's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Oliver August's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Oliver tailored to your event.
Oliver August speaks on Africa, Asia, Economics, Economics & Finance, Europe. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Oliver to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Oliver August for events worldwide, subject to Oliver's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Oliver August is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Oliver can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Oliver August on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Oliver can offer.
Oliver August delivers keynotes in English, German. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Oliver August's areas of expertise include Africa, Asia, Economics, Economics & Finance, Europe. To get a clear sense of Oliver's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Oliver August can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Africa, Asia, Economics, Economics & Finance, Europe is relevant. Details of Oliver's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Oliver August is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Oliver August, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Oliver's current availability for your dates.