Alex Okosi, Managing Director, Africa, Google
Alex Okosi is a proven international media/tech executive with 20+ years’ experience building successful global businesses and brands. He is known for developing high performing teams, creating ground-breaking content and discovering global entertainment talent.
In his role, as Managing Director, Africa, at Google, Okosi is responsible for Google’s operations in Africa including programs to help businesses and economies on the continent to grow, as well as expanding access and providing tools to help the next billion users get more from the Web.
As MD of YouTube EMEA Emerging Markets, Alex set the strategy to drive profitable growth for YouTube in the region and ensured the success of creators in music, art, gaming & media. He played a key role in landing the company’s $100M Black Voices Fund in EMEA, and partnered with Idris Elba to launch the annual Africa Day Benefit Concert.
Prior to YouTube, Alex spent 22 years at ViacomCBS, beginning his career in the MTV Trade Marketing team in New York, before moving to Affiliate Sales, and subsequently the International Strategy & Business Development team (LA/London). A defining career moment came in 2003 when he authored the business plan for ViacomCBS’ first channel business in Africa, MTV Base. After the 2005 launch, Alex led and scaled the business into a 10-channel, pan-African multiplex with 100+ million viewers.
Innovative, disruptive initiatives created by Alex in this period include MTV Africa Music Awards, MTV Base Meets, Nickelodeon’s Genius, Comedy Central Africa International Festival, NickFest, & BET Experience Africa. Passionate about developing talent and creativity, Alex championed campaigns that would unearth global talent such as Trevor Noah, Lupita Nyong’o, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, Nomzamo Mbatha.
During his career, Alex’s achievements have been recognised by accolades such as: World Economic Forum Young Global Leader; All Africa Business Leader Award Finalist; Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Marketing of Nigeria; Ai Investment & Business Leader Awards: “Up & Coming Future Leader of the Year”. He featured in New African Magazine’s “Africa’s 50 Trailblazers Under 50” and “Top 100 most Influential Africans”.
In 2021 Alex joined the Powerlist 2022 as one of the UK’s 100 most influential people of African heritage, repeating the accolade in 2022 as a member of Powerlist 2023.