Ghanaian Embassy in Belgium hosts Dr Naa-Du Laryea during European book tour

The Ghanaian Embassy in Belgium welcomed Ghanaian-American author and Wall Street scholar Dr Naa-Du Laryea this past Sunday as part of her European Black Capitalists book tour.

The event brought together embassy officials, entrepreneurs, and members of the African diaspora for an evening of dialogue on wealth, power, and economic opportunity.

A central force behind the European tour is Nii Dsane, CEO of Q-Advise, who led the organization and strategic coordination of the multi-city initiative.

Known for his work in complex software licensing negotiations and independent advisory, Dsane applied a structured, execution-focused approach to building the platform across key European cities.

His role extended beyond logistics, curating an environment where diaspora leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers could engage at a high level on themes of ownership, capital, and long-term value creation, with the clear intent of translating dialogue into tangible outcomes.



The gathering, hosted at the embassy and attended by senior officials and staff, formed a key stop in the broader Black Capitalists European tour.

Notable members of the embassy present included Mohammed Sheriff IDDRISU, and Henry Obodai AGOE, alongside entrepreneurs from across Belgium, including Bright Obeng, CEO of the popular CFO Podcast.

The discussion centred on Dr Laryea’s book, Black Capitalists: A Blueprint for What Is Possible, and quickly evolved into a dynamic—and at times deeply divided- exchange on the meaning and practice of capitalism through the lens of race and ethnicity.

Participants offered contrasting views on what capitalism represents in today’s society. For some, capitalism was defined simply as the mechanics of supply and demand—markets functioning freely to allocate resources efficiently.

Others argued that true capitalism can only exist when governments step back, allowing markets to operate without interference. At the same time, several voices emphasized that structural realities cannot be ignored.



A key theme that emerged was the question of unequal outcomes within the Afro-Belgian community. Some attendees pointed to language barriers and institutional racism as significant factors shaping access to opportunity and long-term success.

Others challenged this perspective, arguing that Europe offers ample opportunities and that individual mindset, discipline, and decision-making ultimately determine outcomes.

Dr. Naa-Du Laryea engaged directly with these differing viewpoints, acknowledging the complexity of the issue while reframing the conversation.

“The tools of capitalism are race neutral. However, those tools have been, and continue to be racialized,” she noted. “It is a system shaped by history, by power, and by access. The question is not only how we participate in it, but how we reposition ourselves within it.”



Drawing on her background as a financial anthropologist and her experience on Wall Street, she emphasized that wealth-building requires both individual and communal agency, combined with structural awareness.

“We cannot ignore barriers where they exist,” she said,

“but we also cannot build a strategy based only on those barriers. The real work is understanding the system deeply enough to navigate it, leverage it, and ultimately reshape it.”

Throughout the evening, Dr. Laryea returned to a central theme of her work: ownership.



“Ownership is about control, influence, and the ability to make decisions that shape and protect your future and your community,” she explained.

“Capital without ownership leaves you exposed. Ownership without strategy leaves value on the table.”

The discussion was described by attendees as both “heavy” and “energizing,” reflecting the urgency and relevance of the topics addressed. Conversations extended beyond theory into practical questions around entrepreneurship, access to capital, and how diasporic communities can collaborate more effectively across borders.

The Brussels event follows earlier engagements in Amsterdam and precedes additional stops in Paris and London, as the Black Capitalists European tour continues to build momentum. More than a book tour, the initiative is evolving into a broader movement—focused on fostering dialogue, building networks, and advancing economic development within the African diaspora.

As the evening concluded, one message stood out: the conversation around capitalism, race, and wealth is far from settled, but it is gaining clarity, depth, and direction through platforms like these.