RIFE International proudly announces that its CEO and founder, Kwabena Osei-Sarpong, will deliver the keynote address at Radford University’s 2025 Spring Commencement Ceremony, scheduled for May 9 and 10 in Radford, Virginia.
Osei-Sarpong graduated from Radford University in 2005 with a degree in accounting. During his time on campus, he founded the university’s chapter of an international entrepreneurship organization and named it Radford in Free Enterprise. That early initiative became the inspiration for the name of his company, RIFE International.
“This is more than a speaking opportunity. It’s a moment of reflection and gratitude,” Osei-Sarpong said. “Radford gave me the foundation to grow as a leader and a problem-solver. I look forward to encouraging graduates to lead with vision and create solutions with purpose.”
Today, Osei-Sarpong leads RIFE International, a clean tech and infrastructure firm with active projects across the United States, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Under his leadership, the company has partnered with major institutions such as Apple, Bank of America, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the Smithsonian Institution. His influence in the field of sustainable development continues to grow.
He has also served in advisory roles with the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa.
Osei-Sarpong currently holds board positions with the Forbes Business Council, Maryland Clean Energy Center, World Trade Center Institute, and the MD/DC District Export Council. His efforts in energy and global business have earned him honors such as Africa’s 100 Most Influential People, Energy Innovator of the Year, and the Maryland International Business Leadership Award.
Through his leadership, RIFE International continues to support initiatives focused on sustainability, energy efficiency, and workforce development in underserved communities. The company’s mission reflects Osei-Sarpong’s belief in equitable access, environmental responsibility, and long-term impact.
Osei-Sarpong earned a master’s degree in sustainable development from Georgetown University. He also completed executive education programs at Harvard Business School and the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. In recognition of his professional and civic contributions, Radford University named him Outstanding Alumnus in 2021.
Honoring Progress and Possibility
The 2025 Spring Commencement will celebrate not only the accomplishments of Radford’s graduating class but also the inspiring journey of alumni like Osei-Sarpong. His return to campus represents the lasting power of education, the importance of purpose-driven leadership, and the global influence of Highlander graduates.