Richard Ali is a multifaceted leader driving change through law, literature, and social entrepreneurship. Currently serving as Managing Editor of Jalada Africa, a Nairobi-based arts collective, he has consistently fostered pan-African literary collaboration and amplified diverse voices across the continent.
As CEO of Tigray Coffee Co., he champions sustainable practices in Nigeria’s coffee industry, earning recognition as a finalist for the 2023 MTPAK Circular Economy Grant. His commitment to sustainability led to his appointment to the National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria (NACOFTAN) Executive Council.
He co-founded Parresia Publishers Ltd in 2013, helping grow it into Nigeria’s third-largest independent press, nurturing acclaimed African authors.
Richard’s impact extends to peacebuilding as Executive Director of Engaging Borders SRD. He spearheaded the Engaging Borders Africa programme, supported by Open Societies Foundations, using literature and the arts to create counternarratives to violent extremism across the Sahel.