G.A.S. Lagos is pleased to welcome two talented economics researchers, Alexei Moore and Miranda Hagborg, who will be in residence from 2nd to 26th May 2023. Both researchers are completing their Masters in Economics at the Stockholm School of Economics, where they are recipients of the Yinka Shonibare Thesis Scholarship, launched in cooperation with Art Initiative and Misum, Mistra Center for Sustainable Markets. The scholarship gives SSE students the opportunity to do a field study on-site in Nigeria.
Their research is centred around the role of private capital markets in Sub-Saharan Africa and how it relates to sustainable development goals, specifically investigating the role that private capital markets play in Nigeria's social and economic contexts, evaluated within the framework of the eighth and ninth Sustainable Development Goals. Through their residency at G.A.S. Lagos, they hope to gain access to local voices and perspectives and immerse themselves in the city's cultural and entrepreneurial communities, Alexei and Miranda are poised to make a valuable contribution to the study of private capital in Sub-Saharan Africa.
What is the current focus of your research practice?
Our current practice is primarily oriented towards investigating the role that private capital markets play in Nigeria's social and economic contexts, evaluated within the framework of the eighth and ninth Sustainable Development Goals. With a specific focus on the role that risk perception plays in impacting investment decisions, we are striving to contribute to the academic research surrounding private capital in Sub-Saharan Africa and its contemporary development.
Miranda on Location at G.A.S. Lagos
What drew you to apply for this residency, and how will it inform your wider practice?
As we considered different areas of research for our thesis, we were motivated to pursue a topic that we had had less exposure to in our corporate finance studies and where there was a clear research gap. After evaluating the development of private capital in Sub-Saharan Africa, we knew that in order to actively contribute to the research and offer an accurate and meaningful analysis, we had to gain access to local voices and see the workings of these financial markets first-hand.
Considering that Lagos is a hub of venture capital activity in Sub-Saharan Africa, it was clear that the residency would help give us access to the people and perspectives needed to accurately portray the private capital investment landscape in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. We believe that this valuable time will allow us to draw comparisons to our experiences in Sweden, along with gathering evidence that may offer a different perspective from the academic literature we have contemplated thus far. Through engaging ourselves in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial communities, we hope we will be able to give a more realistic picture of the functioning of capital markets in Lagos and offer unique insights that will hopefully lead to more research and development within this space.
Alexei on Location at G.A.S. Lagos
Can you give us an insight into how you hope to use the opportunity?
Lagos is a multi-cultural and entrepreneurial city that is full of life, growth and immense opportunity. The opportunity to involve and integrate ourselves into the city’s economic and social spheres is invaluable. It will allow us not only to gain knowledge and expertise, but also learn from others that have actively participated in the evolution of Lagos’ private capital landscape. Having access to this on the ground knowledge and understanding of Nigeria’s cultural context and history will give our research a nuance and depth that we would not be able to achieve solely through academic study and analysis of private capital in the global north.
RESIDENCY ARCHIVE
EVENT: Investing Across Nigeria and Sweden
Event Date: 12th July 2023
In their online seminar titled Investing Across Nigeria and Sweden, Alexei and Miranda presented the findings from their month-long research residency. Their Master's thesis research while in Nigeria investigated the differences and similarities between investing in Nigeria and Sweden. They considered the role of private capital markets in Sub-Saharan Africa, how they relate to sustainable development goals, and the role private capital markets play in Nigeria's social and economic contexts.
ABOUT ALEXEI MOORE AND MIRANDA HAGBORG
ALEXEI MOORE and MIRANDA HAGBORG are students in the Master in Finance programme at the Stockholm School of Economics. Alexei has previously studied a Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Arts at the University of Sydney, specialising in Finance, Economics, International Relations and Accounting. He has professional experience in strategy consulting and venture capital. Miranda has studied for a Bachelor of Business Administration at Stockholm University and a Bachelor of Real Estate and Finance at the Royal Institute of Technology. She has professional experience in investment banking and private equity.
Alexei & Miranda at G.A.S. Lagos
Alexei and Miranda's residency is generously supported by Stockholm School of Economics.
