African leaders tap Moghalu to head School of Governance

African leaders on Sunday announced the establishment of the African School of Governance (ASG) with former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Kingsley Moghalu as the President.

The ASG, which is an offshoot of the African School of Governance Foundation (ASGF) was designed to offer world-class public policy education, research, and engagement programs.

A statement by the ASG said the move was a landmark step with the initiative expected to transform the continent’s leadership landscape by meeting the diverse needs of leaders across Africa.

Apart from Moghalu as the inaugural president, it also appointed independent governing board members, chaired by Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and former Minister of Finance and Economy of Senegal.

Other members of the board include Donald Kaberuka, former President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Hajer Gueldich, Professor at the University of Carthage, Kishore Mahbubani, former Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, and Francis Gatare, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board.

Diop, while announcing the appointment of Moghalu said: “We are excited to welcome Kingsley Moghalu as President of the African School of Governance.

“His sterling track record of leadership in international and national policymaking institutions, academia, and his thought leadership influence, will help make ASG a transformative graduate school and develop a new generation of purpose-driven leaders with the skills and mindsets to help Africa address the challenges of the 21st Century.

“Moghalu will be responsible for steering and shaping ASG’s academic vision, delivering learning programs that reflect the complex governance challenges facing Africa today. Under the guidance of the Governing Board, he will focus on recruiting top-tier African faculty, fostering academic excellence, and positioning ASG as a hub for intellectual and policy innovation.”

According to the body, the ASG with its headquarters in Kigali, the Rwandan capital, aimed to address the African continent’s pressing governance challenges by equipping emerging leaders with the mindsets, skills and knowledge required for effective leadership in Africa’s future.

ASG, which is an initiative of the president of Rwanda, Paul Kigame and a former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn, is supported by the MasterCard Foundation, as part of its Young Africa Works strategy, which aims to enable 30 million young Africans, 70 percent of whom are women, to access dignified and fulfilling work opportunities by 2030.

It added that collective vision of ASG’s leadership is to create an institution that offers world-class education in governance and public policy while promoting home-grown solutions to Africa’s unique challenges and opportunities.

The statement read: “Africa’s rapid economic growth, increasing global influence, and evolving governance structures present unprecedented opportunities and challenges. From post-pandemic recovery to climate adaptation, the continent’s policymakers face complex and urgent issues that require skilled leadership.

“ASG aims to meet this critical need, by developing current and future leaders who can address these challenges through a shift in leadership mindsets, governance, and sustainable development to drive long-term, meaningful change across the continent.

“ASG will offer a comprehensive suite of academic programs designed to meet governance, leadership, and policy deficit across Africa. These include the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and the Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) programs, which are tailored to mid-career professionals and senior executives, respectively.

“ASG will also provide specialised Executive Courses aimed at enhancing specific leadership skills for professionals. Additionally, the Young Leaders Program (YLP) and Senior Leadership Fellowship (SLF) will cater for high-potential undergraduates and seasoned professionals nearing the end of their careers, ensuring that ASG supports leadership development at every stage.

“ASG’s curriculum will be distinguished by integrating African historical, political, and socio-economic contexts. By grounding students in African realities, the institution will equip diverse leaders to navigate the continent’s complex governance challenges while drawing from global best practices.”

Apart from its educational offerings, it said ASG would play a critical role in advancing governance through its dedicated research centres, which include the Centre for Home-Grown Innovations in Policy and Governance, the Centre for African History and Leadership, the Centre for Trade and Regional Integration, and the Centre for Technology and Effective Delivery.

The establishment of ASG is a powerful expression of a clear vision on the part of the founding leaders,” Professor Moghalu said in response to his appointment.

“I share this vision of a transformed Africa driven by competent leadership and governance, and I am honoured to have been tasked with leading ASG’s critical contribution to making that vision a reality.

“The establishment of ASG is a powerful expression of a clear vision on the part of the founding leaders.

“I share this vision of a transformed Africa driven by competent leadership and governance, and I am honoured to have been tasked with leading ASG’s critical contribution to making that vision a reality,” the statement quoted Moghalu to have said.

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