Overview

The Great Lakes Global Policy Forum was established to create a dedicated platform for informed and balanced dialogue on the political, economic and geopolitical dynamics shaping Africa’s Great Lakes region.

Why This Forum Exists

The Great Lakes region—including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi—plays a critical role in Africa’s broader political and economic landscape. 

Despite its strategic importance, the region remains underrepresented in sustained, high level international policy dialogue.

Objectives

• Advance informed dialogue on governance and political developments

• Analyse regional security and geopolitical dynamics

• Examine economic development and investment opportunities

• Facilitate exchange between policymakers, scholars, journalists and practitioners

• Strengthen international engagement with the region

Founder

Ikaba Koyi

Founder, Great Lakes Global Policy Forum

Ikaba Koyi is an international journalist and moderator with experience working with global media organisations including BBC News and Al Jazeera Media Network. 

She has interviewed political leaders, business figures and policymakers, contributing to international coverage of political and economic developments across Africa and beyond.

Through the Great Lakes Global Policy Forum, she convenes discussions that bring together scholars, policymakers, journalists and practitioners to examine the region’s evolving geopolitical, economic and diplomatic landscape. 

She brings a cross-regional perspective shaped by reporting across Africa, the Middle East and Europe.