Research.com named 17 scholars from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business in its latest “best scientists” ranking. The Smith School ranked No. 4 in the United States and No. 5 worldwide in the 2023 Business and Management university ranking, with 11 scholars on the list.

“If I were advising, I would think that it would be unwise for South Africa to conduct this exercise, especially in the vicinity of the anniversary.” That’s University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business William E. Mayer Chair Professor of Finance, Lemma Senbet reacting to South Africa’s participation in naval exercises with Russia and China.

Africa will shape the future — not just the future of the African people, but of the world. Rooted in this recognition that Africa is a key geopolitical player…President Biden believes U.S. collaboration with African leaders, as well as civil society, business, diaspora, women, and youth leaders, is essential to unlocking the potential of this decisive decade. –The US Department of State on the impetus for the recently concluded U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, multinational companies didn’t have to think twice about increasingly moving toward firm globalization. But the crisis amplified the vulnerabilities of doing business across borders. And now, new research from Maryland Smith is contextualizing the numbers to show the potential dark side of globalization.

Voice of America tapped Smith’s Lemma W. Senbet to discuss the stakes for Africa at the IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings where policymakers and industry leaders representing about 190 countries engaged on the state of the world economy.

Maryland Smith’s Lemma W. Senbet has been inducted as a Fellow of the Academy of International Business (AIB) for his career-long distinguished scholarship and professional service at the interface of finance and international business.

Maryland Smith finance professor Lemma W. Senbet received the Ethiopian Crown’s Victory of Adwa Medal for his contributions to his native country. Senbet, an expert and leader in economic policy in Africa, is the William E. Mayer Chair Professor of Finance and the founding director of Smith’s Center for Financial Policy.

Maryland Smith’s Lemma Senbet, along with Brookings co-authors, explores how the pandemic and the swift and preemptive lockdowns implemented around the world in March of 2020, “left significant scars on the fiscal position of sub-Saharan Africa and the market condition it faces.”

Maryland Smith finance professor Lemma W. Senbet was appointed to a newly created Independent Council of Economic Advisors in his native Ethiopia by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Senbet, an expert and leader in economic policy in Africa, is the William E. Mayer Chair Professor of Finance and the founding director of Smith’s Center for Financial Policy.