Theme: “Investing in Africa’s Future: Unlocking the Potential of our Next Generation of Leaders.”

Guest Speakers: Not specified.

Goal: To explore innovative strategies for developing a new generation of African leaders.

Partners and Sponsors: African Leadership Academy (ALA), South Africa.

Policy Dialogue: “Investing in Africa’s Future – Unlocking the Potential of our Next Generation of Leaders”

Leadership is critical for harnessing Africa’s potential and transforming the continent from one characterized by poverty, hunger, violence, crisis, malnutrition, and low education enrollment into a land of opportunity and achievement. The perception of Africa by some foreign nationals has often been negative, with references to it as a “black continent” not merely because of the skin color of its people but due to the persistent challenges it faces and the perceived inability to resolve them.

Event Overview:

On October 9, 2013, the Murtala Muhammed Foundation, in partnership with the African Leadership Academy (ALA) in South Africa, organized a policy dialogue in Lagos, Nigeria. The event focused on leadership education and aimed at exploring innovative strategies for developing a new generation of leaders capable of steering Africa towards a brighter future. The dialogue was preceded by a pre-conference dinner on October 8, 2013, which hosted technocrats and experts from across Africa and Asia.

Theme and Focus:

The event was themed “Investing in Africa’s Future: Unlocking the Potential of our Next Generation of Leaders.” The discussions centered on the critical need for transformational leadership to improve the well-being of Africans and drive development across the continent.

Key Discussions:

Participants emphasized that to unlock the potential of Africa’s young population, it is essential to:

– Improve the quality of foundational education, starting from primary school.

– Incorporate leadership and value-based education into the school curriculum.

– Increase investment in education at all levels.

Conclusion:

The policy dialogue highlighted the urgent need for strategic investments in leadership education and the development of a value-based education system. By focusing on these areas, Africa can cultivate a new generation of leaders who are equipped to address the continent’s challenges and guide it towards sustainable development and prosperity.