Former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) , Professor Kingsley Moghalu, has been appointed the inaugural president of the newly established African School of Governance (ASG), which will transform the continent’s leadership landscape by meeting the diverse needs of leaders across Africa.
The African School of Governance Foundation (ASGF) announced the establishment of the ASG graduate institution, with headquarters in Kigali, the Rwandan capital. The institution is purposely designed to offer world-class public policy education, research, and engagement programmes.
According to a statement issued by John Paul Sesonga of ASGF, this initiative was unveiled in Kigali on October 21, 2024, at an event that brought together prominent African leaders.
“The ASG aims to address the continent‘s pressing governance challenges by equipping emerging leaders with the mindsets, skills and knowledge required for effective leadership in Africa‘s future.
The initiative brings together visionaries committed to creating a sustainable governance model rooted in African realities,” the statement said.
The ASG initiative was founded by Rwanda‘s President Paul Kagame and Ethiopia‘s former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn (both co-founders of the ASG Foundation) in consultation with other African leaders, academicians, and philanthropists dedicated to improving governance across the continent.
Professor Moghalu will steer and shape ASG’s academic vision and deliver learning programmes that reflect Africa‘s complex governance challenges. 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.
“The establishment of ASG is a powerful expression of a clear vision on the part of the founding leaders,” Prof. 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,” he added.
Professor Moghalu has held senior positions in the United Nations system for 17 years and taught at prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Oxford, and The Fletcher School at Tufts University. He is also the author of several books.
Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of the IFC and Chair of ASG’s Board, says, “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 and 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.”
The Mastercard Foundation supports ASG as part of its Young Africa Works strategy, which aims to enable 30 million young Africans, 70% of whom are women, to access dignified and fulfilling work opportunities by 2030.
ASG will be led by esteemed 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. Also included in the board was Donald Kaberuka, former President of the African Development Bank; 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.
Speaking on the launch, Hailemariam Desalegn commented: “The time is ripe for an institution rooted in Africa’s needs and aspirations. The African School of Governance will be a hub for nurturing purpose-driven leaders equipped to tackle the continent’s most significant challenges and opportunities, combining Africa’s uniqueness with international best practices. This is not just an educational institution but a movement towards sustainable African leadership.
“Tackling Africa‘s Development and Governance Challenges 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, the statement added.
The ASG will offer a comprehensive academic programme suite to meet governance, leadership, and policy deficits 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. ASG will also provide specialised Executive Courses to enhance specific leadership skills for professionals.
Additionally, the Young Leaders Programme (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, the statement added.
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.
In addition to its educational offerings, ASG will play a critical role in advancing governance through its dedicated research centres. These 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.
These research hubs will generate evidence-based solutions tailored to African governance challenges, helping policymakers design and implement effective policies and strategies.
ASG’s commitment to policy engagement is equally robust. It plans to actively engage with governments, civil society, and private-sector stakeholders through policy labs, incubators, and collaborative partnerships. ASG will translate its research into actionable policy solutions that promote good governance and sustainable development across the continent.
As the inaugural President of ASG, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, a globally recognised leader in public policy and governance, will steer the institution towards its ambitious goals.
The initiative is supported by the ASG Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation that helps mobilise funding and manage its endowments, gives strategic guidance to the institution, and supports related initiatives for developing African leaders.
Strong strategic partnerships with other world-class institutions, including the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore and the Mastercard Foundation, support the establishment of ASG.
Headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda, ASG is set to become a pan-African institution with global influence. Its mission is to build leadership capacity that transcends borders, ensuring that African voices are heard and lead the charge in global governance discussions.
ASG’s partnership with institutions such as the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore further reinforces its commitment to providing a world-class education that draws from African and international expertise.
This initiative marks a significant milestone in Africa’s governance journey. Through the collective efforts of its founders and partners, the institution will help to nurture the leaders that Africa needs to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
