Michela Wrong’s writing on contemporary Africa has become a must-read for diplomats, aid officials, journalists and strategists. Hailed by Harper’s Magazine as “an epic trilogy”, her three non-fiction books feature on the “required reading” lists of International Relations and African Studies university courses and are routinely cited by foreign correspondents... Read more
Michela Wrong’s writing on contemporary Africa has become a must-read for diplomats, aid officials, journalists and strategists. Hailed by Harper’s Magazine as “an epic trilogy”, her three non-fiction books feature on the “required reading” lists of International Relations and African Studies university courses and are routinely cited by foreign correspondents and academics working on the continent.
Half-Italian, half-British, Michela Wrong grew up in London and took a degree in Philosophy, Social Sciences and English Literature at Jesus College, Cambridge.
She joined Reuters news agency in the early 1980s and was posted as a foreign correspondent to Italy, France and Ivory Coast. She became a freelance journalist in 1994, when she moved to Zaire and found herself covering both the genocide in neighbouring Rwanda and the final days of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko for the BBC and Reuters. She later moved to Kenya, where she spent four years covering east, west and central Africa for the Financial Times of London.
In 2000 she published her first book, “In the Footsteps of Mr Kurtz”, the story of Mobutu’s rise and fall, which won a PEN prize for non-fiction. Her second book, “I didn’t do it for you”, which focused on the rarely-covered Red Sea nation of Eritrea, came out in 2005.
Her third book, published in February 2009, was “It’s Our Turn to Eat”, which tracks the story of Kenyan corruption whistleblower John Githongo, who sought refuge in her London flat when he went on the run. It has sold 35,000 copies to date and triggered expressions of interest from US film companies. It was named as one of the Economist’s “best books of 2009”.
She now lives and works in London and is regularly interviewed by the BBC, Al Jazeera, Reuters and NPR on her areas of expertise. She has published opinion pieces and book reviews in the Observer, Guardian, Financial Times, New Statesman, Spectator and Standpoint magazines. She speaks fluent French and Italian.
She was awarded the 2010 James Cameron prize for journalism “that combined moral vision and professional integrity”.
“Michela Wrong is a lively and engaging speaker who succeeds in holding the attention of her audience. She is highly respected in Africa as an objective courageous and insightful analyst.”
Moeletsi Mbeki Executive Chairman Endemol
“Michela Wrong delivered an articulate, entertaining, challenging and authoritative speech that was very well written and delivered with impact. While her speech challenged the aid industry’s established orthodoxy, it was nonetheless well-received and generated discussions described as “very lively and interesting”. Her speech was selected by many as the “highlight of the day”.
Luc Moens Director PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
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You can book Michela Wrong through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Michela's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Michela Wrong's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Michela tailored to your event.
Michela Wrong speaks on a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Michela to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Michela Wrong for events worldwide, subject to Michela's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Michela Wrong is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Michela can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Michela Wrong on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Michela can offer.
Michela Wrong delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Michela Wrong's areas of expertise include a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. To get a clear sense of Michela's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Michela Wrong can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in a range of business, leadership and industry subjects is relevant. Details of Michela's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Michela Wrong is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Michela Wrong, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Michela's current availability for your dates.