IGAD and Japan Partner to Empower the Next Generation of African Leaders

NAIROBI, Kenya – The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has launched the second cohort of its Leadership Academy (ILA). The program, a collaboration with the Government of Japan aims to address a critical leadership deficit and empower young leaders to drive peace and sustainable development across the region. The training is hosted at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in Nairobi and brings together a diverse group of emerging young leaders from across IGAD's member states. The delegates were selected from over 3,000 applicants, and they were commended as the region's finest youth representatives by Dr. Nyambura. The ILA was established to provide future leaders with the skills needed to navigate a rapidly developing, multi-cultural African society. It is anchored in the belief that Africa requires its own solutions to its unique challenges, and it is committed to fostering ethical, visionary, and gender-inclusive leadership. The program was approved by the IGAD Heads of State and Government Summit in July 2022 and has since been designed to build a critical mass of strategic and ethical leaders who will drive change. Delivering remarks on behalf of Executive Secretary H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Director of Administration and Finance Josephat Onyari emphasized the important role of the youth, who make up 70% of the IGAD region's population. "This programme is meant to stoke that fire in you to go out, actualize those ideas, and shape the destiny of our region," Onyari stated. He also expressed gratitude to Dr. Nyambura, who developed the academy's concept, and highlighted that the ILA extends beyond training to include comprehensive follow-up support through a functional Alumni Cohort network. The Director General of the Kenya School of Government, Prof. Nura Mohamed, officially opened the training, reiterating KSG's commitment to continuous collaboration with IGAD. He challenged the participants to become accountable leaders who can be trusted with public offices, stressing that "no one is too small to make a difference" and that true leadership is a "calling, not a title". He shared key principles for the delegates to embrace, including:

• Identifying their unique contributions and the legacy they wish to create.
• Learning to articulate their abilities and believing in themselves.
• Acknowledging that no one is too young to begin their leadership journey.

The ILA's curriculum is a blend of African leadership philosophies and global best practices, covering good governance, peacebuilding, technology, and gender-responsive leadership. The program is fully funded, with all training-related expenses covered for the participants. It is designed to empower young people to become active partners in peace and development, ensuring their voices are amplified in regional and national dialogues. The event was also graced by a representative from the Government of Saudi Arabia, which has a long-standing relationship with IGAD, fostering peace, good governance, and sustainability. The Saudi representative affirmed their country's commitment to nurturing a new generation of ethical leaders, particularly focusing on youth and women as the backbone of the region's future. The representative expressed continued interest in supporting initiatives that promote human and sustainable development throughout the broader African region. With the support of international partners and the commitment of institutions like KSG, the IGAD Leadership Academy is poised to create a lasting ripple effect of positive change throughout the Horn of Africa.