Dr. Fred Olayele’s diverse career spans academia, government, finance, and international development. A distinguished economist and public policy expert, his research interests and practice areas cover trade policy, innovation, FDI, urban policy, political economy, and inclusive development. He has published and shared best practices in these areas at numerous conferences and institutions around the world. He has consulted widely and advised many public and private organizations in Canada, United States, and Africa. 

A passionate teacher and public intellectual, he serves on various non-profit boards and supports many social causes. He is Director, Centre for African Research and Business at the Sprott School of Business, Carleton University, and Director-General, Pan-African School of Policy Innovation. His most recent and forthcoming books include Sustainable Development in Post-Pandemic Africa: Effective Strategies for Resource Mobilization (Routledge); Regional Economic Systems after COVID-19: Actionable Insights for an Equitable and Resilient Recovery (Edward Elgar Publishing); and African Policy Innovation and the Political Economy of Public-Private Policy Partnerships (IGI Global).

Previously, he was Chief Economist and Senior Vice President with the New York City Economic Development Corporation, where he oversaw a wide range of economic research and policy initiatives. Prior to that, he held several economic policy positions and advised the Canadian provincial governments of British Columbia and Saskatchewan across the FDI, economic development, and energy policy domains. Earlier in his career, he was a global trade finance specialist with Citigroup. 

Professor Olayele has held academic positions and taught graduate and undergraduate courses in economics, strategy, and public policy at the University of Regina and Carleton University. He has served as a visiting professor and guest speaker across universities and academic institutions abroad. He was a Visiting Scholar at the World Trade Institute in Bern, Switzerland, and a Visiting Professor of Trade and Development at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. He holds a PhD in Economics. More information on his research, practice, teaching, and policy engagements is available on his personal website: http://fredolayele.com/