Vision & Mission
African Leadership Academy seeks to transform Africa by developing a powerful network of over 6,000 leaders who will work together to address Africa’s greatest challenges, achieve extraordinary social impact, and accelerate the continent’s growth trajectory.
Africa’s greatest need is ethical and entrepreneurial leadership. Too often, we only invest in addressing the symptoms of poor leadership in Africa: we give blankets, food, and medicine to those impacted by war, poverty, and famine. But these efforts will never stop unless we develop leaders who prevent wars, entrepreneurs who create jobs, and innovators that develop lasting solutions to the root causes of Africa’s problems. We aim to develop the future Nelson Mandela, the next Wangari Maathai, and the African Bill Gates.
Our Model: Identify Potential
We comb Africa for youth who show the spark of initiative; who see what can be and strive to make it so.
Example: After losing a friend to Cholera, young leader Solomon Martey from Ghana invented a borehole machine using spare parts to pump, purify, and distribute water in his village. His machine has since been adopted by the Ghanaian Ministry of Environment and rolled out in several other rural villages across Ghana.
Our Model: Simulation & Practice
Young leaders complete an intensive program of intellectual growth and hands-on leadership development.
Example: During his two years at ALA, young leader Jean Fernando Randriamiajason from Madagascar further developed his passion for agriculture by running Aggrinovation – a student enterprise growing and selling fresh produce for the ALA community.
Our Model: Connect to Opportunity
Young leaders are guided by powerful network along their path to transformative impact in Africa.
Example: Young leader Iman Bermaki from Morocco was able to speak about her aspirations for youth development on the continent at the opening of the annual Mo Ibrahim Forum in Dakar, Senegal. She spoke alongside former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and co-founder of Africa 2.0, Mamadou Toure.
Our Values
- Integrity – We are people of our word, with the courage to do what is right
- Curiosity – We challenge the status quo and take the initiative to pursue new ideas
- Humility – We are thankful for opportunities and are aware of our limitations
- Compassion – We empathize with and care for those around us.
- Diversity – We respect all people and believe that difference should be celebrated
- Excellence – We set high standards for our own achievement and celebrate the achievements of others
