Fikayo is studying for a DPhil in Politics. She works with the African Climate Foundation as the China–Africa program officer. She has a Master in Contemporary Chinese Studies from the University of Oxford and a Master in Global Affairs from Tsinghua University in China, where she studied as a Schwarzman Scholar. Before Oxford and Tsinghua, she worked as a Financial Products and Technology Growth expert in the Middle East, Europe and Africa at Bloomberg, Stears and Refinitiv (now The London Stock Exchange Group).
DPhil topic
'The Political Economy of Energy Transition in Resource-Rich States'
The political economy of energy transition in resource-rich states is a critical area of study that focuses on how countries abundant in natural resources navigate the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. This transition is influenced by a complex interplay of political, economic and social factors that can either facilitate or impede the adoption of sustainable energy practices. Resource-rich states often face unique challenges in this transition, primarily due to their economic dependence on fossil fuel exports, which can lead to resistance to renewable energy initiatives. This dependency creates a 'resource curse', where economic growth is hindered as these nations struggle to diversify their economies away from oil and gas revenues. Additionally, political interests tied to the fossil fuel industry can obstruct policies favouring renewable energy, maintaining the status quo and delaying progress toward energy sustainability.
