Fonteh Akum

Fonteh Akum is director and senior fellow of Carnegie’s Africa Program. His work focuses on building the resilience of African states and societies to conflict, climate, and pandemic shocks, while informing opportunities to leverage digital, demographic, and diplomatic capabilities.

Previously, Fonteh served as executive director of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Africa’s preeminent independent think tank focused on peace, development, and prosperity. As executive director, Fonteh enhanced the ISS’s continental and global profile by strengthening the evidence base for public policy decision-making. Before his tenure at the ISS, Fonteh had a broad background as a researcher, leader, and practitioner. He began his 25-year career at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, DC, and has since worked for the United States Army, the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, and the United Nations University for Peace.

Fonteh holds a PhD in politics and international studies from the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies, an MA from the American University in Cairo, an MA from the American University’s School of International Service in Washington, DC, and a BA from the University of Buea in Cameroon.