The report- “An Abundance of Young African Leaders but no Seat at the Table”- will be jointly launched by Strathmore University Business School (SBS), in partnership with the African Leadership Institute (AFLI) on the 28th of August 2018.
A study on how Africa can harness the talents and capabilities of its young leaders, in the context of the continent’s socio-economic development is in the offing.
The report- “An Abundance of Young African Leaders but no Seat at the Table”- will be jointly launched by Strathmore University Business School (SBS), in partnership with the African Leadership Institute (AFLI) on the 28th of August 2018.
This study, represents an important step towards filling gaps in extant knowledge. It assesses, maps and classifies leadership initiatives focused on young Africans, and provides a basis for dismantling silos and fostering collaboration between the curators of the various programmes.
Due to fragmentation, AFLI says, there has not been a basis for the experiences, lessons and best practices from these many leadership initiatives to be adequately captured and disseminated.
For funders and recipients, the report provides useful insights into the sources of funds invested into the various leadership initiatives; the country sources of the participants; and the countries where these leadership initiatives are delivered.
A total of 105 leadership initiatives focusing on young African leaders (18-40 year olds) and meeting other specified criteria were included in this study. These initiatives fall into four categories, based on a typology developed in the study:
The report to be launched by Dr Vincent Ogutu, VC Designate- Strathmore University, comes at a time when the issue of how Africa can harness the talents and capabilities of its young leaders, in the context of the continent’s socio-economic development, is topical. The report is the first of its kind to have assessed the various existing initiatives focused on young African leaders and have gone ahead to have developed a typology to classify them.
It has relevance for different stakeholders committed to a better Africa. For the curators of various leadership initiatives, it provides a basis for dismantling silos and fostering collaboration between themselves in order to enhance programming and outcomes.
For current leaders and policy-makers, the report is intended to initiate conversations about the opening up of spaces so that young leaders can make more meaningful contributions in the co-creation of the Africa we all deserve and want to see. For a continent that is disproportionately young and, is categorized as the youngest continent in the world, young leaders are conspicuous by their absence at the table yet they have much to offer in terms of new thinking and innovative ideas to address Africa’s most pressing challenges.
Strathmore University is a leading non-profit private university in Kenya with over 8000 students’ populations.
The African Leadership Institute focuses on building the capacity and capability of visionary and strategic leadership across the continent. Developing exceptional leaders representing all spheres of society, the Institute’s flagship programme is the prestigious Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship.
Source: The Exchange
