LEAD Initiative: Transforming African Public Governance

Across Africa, poor public service delivery continues to slow economic growth and limit opportunities for Africans. To tackle this challenge, we partnered with Jeune Afrique etc to launch LEAD, a bold pan-African initiative designed to place strong public leadership and effective economic policy at the heart of the continent’s development.  

As part of our continued efforts to drive public sector transformation across Africa, we are pleased to announce the launch of LEAD, in partnership with the Africa CEO Forum, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). 

Each year, fifty young public servants from across the continent will be selected to take part in a structured programme, including a four-day immersive retreat, to deepen their understanding of Africa’s pressing challenges and global best practices in public policy. The initiative also seeks to build a strong, continent-wide network of emerging public sector leaders who share a common commitment to reform and excellence. 

Speaking at the inaugural LEAD summit on the topic “Capital and Capability: Building for the New Africa,” our Chairman, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR, emphasised that true progress requires more than money. “Africa needs three dimensions of capital—financial, knowledge, and cultural,” he noted. Relying on finance alone, without the right ideas or values, he cautioned, is like handing a fortune to someone unprepared to use it. He added that strong knowledge and cultural capital can attract financial resources, while places like Dubai show how financial and cultural strength can draw in world-class expertise. His message was clear: Africa’s future depends on aligning all three forms of capital to unlock sustainable growth. 

We are convinced about the potential of this initiative to transform Africa by empowering public decision-makers with the vision, the skills, and the determination to design, finance, and sustain the continent’s economic growth.