Keith Straughan joins CMU-Africa

Keith Straughan has been appointed professor of global entrepreneurship and digital technology at Carnegie Mellon University Africa, effective June 1.

"We are thrilled to welcome Professor Keith Straughan to CMU-Africa. His unique blend of academic excellence and entrepreneurial experience will be instrumental in equipping our students with the skills and mindset needed to drive tech-enabled innovation and entrepreneurship across Africa and beyond," said Conrad Tucker, director of CMU-Africa.

Straughan is a seasoned academic leader, innovator, and entrepreneur with a diverse background spanning physics, medicine, and theology. Initially unable to choose among the three disciplines, he pursued all of them during his undergraduate studies, ultimately finding his greatest passion in physics.

He began his career in medical imaging and was part of the pioneering team that commissioned the world’s first clinical MRI system, and later joined Imperial College London as a faculty member, where he launched the institution's first research and teaching programs in diagnostic imaging. It was during his time at Imperial that he embraced entrepreneurship, spinning out five companies from his work.

Straughan went on to hold several senior academic roles at the University of Cambridge, culminating in his appointment as chief academic officer of one of its constituent colleges. Straughan later led the establishment of a new university in Milton Keynes, England, marking a bold shift from one of the country’s oldest institutions to its newest.

After successfully guiding the university through its formative phase, he transitioned from formal academia to focus on innovation, leadership development, and capacity building. In 2024, he established a Kigali-based subsidiary of his consulting firm, working extensively with public and private sector partners across the innovation ecosystem in Africa.