Overview.
Ronak Gopaldas is a political economist, “pracademic,” writer, and speaker whose work focuses on the intersection of (geo)politics, economics, and business in Africa.
He is a Director at Signal Risk, a research fellow at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, and faculty at GIBS Business School in South Africa. Previously, he was the Head of Country Risk at Rand Merchant Bank, where he worked for nearly a decade. He also serves in advisory roles, including with the Institute of Security Studies’ ENACT programme, which builds knowledge and skills to enhance Africa’s response to transnational organised crime.
A prominent voice in both local and international media, Ronak has made frequent appearances on CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera, and CNBC Africa, and regularly publishes opinion and analysis pieces. He has also spoken at leading Africa-focused policy and business conferences and several of the world’s top universities as a moderator, panelist, and keynote speaker. In 2016, he delivered a TED Talk on Africa’s evolving role in the global economy.
Ronak’s greatest strength lies in his ability to translate and connect the worlds of business, policy, and academia. This unique skill enables him to offer holistic and differentiated insights on complex issues.
He holds several prestigious affiliations and honours. He has been appointed a Visiting Senior Fellow at the London School of Economics’ Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa (FLIA) and was named a Global South African Brand Ambassador in 2024 to promote South Africa’s international presence and foster cultural and economic ties worldwide. He is also a 2019 Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow, a 2015 alumnus of the Asian Forum on Global Governance (Raisina Young Fellow), and an alumnus of the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI).
Ronak holds a BCom degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) with Business French, as well as a BCom (Hons) in Financial Analysis and Portfolio Management from the University of Cape Town (UCT). He also completed an MSc in Finance (Economic Policy) from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London.
He believes strongly in the power of underdogs, cortados and dim sum.
Geopolitical analysis
Trained as a political economist, Ronak Gopaldas specialises in country risk, offering deep analysis on the factors shaping national stability and growth prospects. With a particular focus on emerging markets and African sovereigns, his work delivers strategic insights to businesses, investors, and policymakers, helping them navigate complex global, regional, and local dynamics with confidence.
Prior to becoming a Director at Signal Risk in 2018, Ronak led the country risk team at Rand Merchant Bank in South Africa for several years. His extensive travels across more than 30 African countries have allowed him to develop deep networks across political, economic, and business landscapes, gaining first-hand insights into key market drivers.
His work has centred on geo-strategic trends and major themes shaping the continent’s trajectory, under the overarching theme of “Africa in the World,” providing fresh perspectives on Africa’s role in a shifting global order.
Academic
Ronak teaches an interdisciplinary course titled ‘Africa in 2050: Betting on Ourselves,’ primarily to MBA and Masters students. He has delivered this course at GIBS Business School and the African Leadership University School of Business, where he serves on the faculty, as well as at the London School of Economics through its Programme for African Leadership.
He is a research fellow at the Centre for African Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, where he frequently publishes academic analysis. Ronak has also spoken at several of the world’s leading universities, including Harvard Business School, London Business School, and Oxford University.
Through his academic work, he aims to foster a challenging and intellectually curious environment that stimulates debate and equips students with the skills and insights needed to transform Africa’s so-called “wicked problems” into opportunities.
Advisory
Ronak’s analysis informs public discourse and helps shape policy agendas across a broad spectrum of issues, including geopolitics, economic and trade policy, and investment trends. His insights have been sought by both public and private sector clients, ranging from international governments to leading Fortune 500 companies, helping them navigate uncertainty in an evolving global landscape.
He is a consultant to the Institute for Security Studies and serves on the advisory board for its ENACT programme. In addition, Ronak has contributed to several international think tanks, including the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in the United States and the Observer Research Foundation in India, providing thought leadership on critical global and regional challenges.
The interdisciplinary nature of his work enables him to connect policymakers, academia, think tanks, and industry—bridging disciplines and geographies in a dynamic and impactful way, fostering meaningful dialogue across sectors.
Speaking & Writing
Ronak is known for his ability to communicate complex ideas in a clear, accessible manner—bringing clarity to complexity. His views are forthright, evidence-based, and often challenge deeply ingrained assumptions and latent prejudices that shape global discourse about Africa, encouraging a more nuanced and informed perspective.
He frequently delivers keynote addresses and participates in high-level panel discussions at prestigious global conferences and corporate events. In addition, he contributes thought-provoking opinion pieces to a range of respected publications, offering unique insights on pressing geopolitical and economic issues from an African vantage point.
Ronak’s speaking and writing style is engaging, provocative, and solution-oriented, with a strong focus on shifting perspectives and sparking fresh thinking. He takes pride in enriching public discourse with original ideas that challenge conventional wisdom and inspire practical change, fostering meaningful debate on critical global issues. His voice invites reflection, urgency, and bold new thinking.
Testimonials.
“Ronak’s sessions are insightful, policy-driven, and engaging. He makes complex topics accessible and impactful. A true thought leader.”
“Ronak is a brilliant political analyst and speaker. His expertise and stage presence are extraordinary – I’ve seen him captivate audiences firsthand.”
“Ronak’s ‘Africa in 2025’ elective at GIBS was transformative. His insights and network created an unforgettable learning experience.”
“Ronak is one of the most compelling and well-considered analysts of Africa and South Africa, in particular, that I have encountered. His reports, analysis and knowledge of the political economy of the continent are unparalleled.”
“Ronak is a dynamic facilitator who challenges assumptions and sparks meaningful discussions. His GIBS session was truly inspiring.”
“The way Ronak positions our continent is truly inspiring. Thank you for being such a powerful and consistent voice for Africa.”
“I first invited Ronak to speak at an Africa Forum in 2019, and his presentation was compelling, insightful, and highly relevant. He has continued to be a powerful voice on African affairs, contributing meaningfully to international conversations.”
“Ronak is one of the most prolific contributors to the NTU-SBF Centre for African Studies. Over the past 5 years he has written well over 20 articles identifying trends in various sectors of the African economy and making a strong connection with Asia. The clear-eyed analysis and succinct writing makes his work both enlightening as well as compelling. In my view Ronak is among the finest minds of the day who can gaze into the geopolitical crystal ball and foresee risks that lie ahead and the opportunities that could emerge.”
Trusted by leading global brands
