‘Young Women Key To Africa’s Leadership Future’

The executive director of LEAP Africa, Kehinde Ayeni, has said young African women hold the key to the continent’s leadership future, stressing the need for sustained investment in their leadership development and empowerment.

Ayeni made the assertion over the weekend at the conclusion of the fifth cohort of the Leadership Accelerator Programme (LAP) for Young African Women, held in Nairobi, Kenya.

The programme, which featured LEAP Africa’s first physical boot camp in Nairobi, attracted significant interest, with more than 4,500 women from 48 African countries and 12 non-African countries registering for the programme.

Of the participants, more than 1,500 successfully completed the free online learning phase, while 31 outstanding young women were selected to participate in the immersive physical boot camp.

Speaking at the event, Ayeni said the programme was established to help bridge the leadership gap among African women by equipping young women with the skills, networks and confidence required to make meaningful contributions to society.

She said investing in young women today would ultimately strengthen Africa’s leadership capacity and shape the continent’s future.

“The Leadership Accelerator Programme was created to intentionally bridge the leadership gap among African women. We believe that investing in young women today is investing in Africa’s future.

“Through this programme, we are developing leadership skills and building a community of women who are equipped to influence policies, transform institutions, strengthen communities, and lead with courage, competence, and integrity.”

Also speaking on the significance of the fifth cohort, the Director of Programmes and Partnerships at LEAP Africa, Amabelle Nwakanma, said the decision to host the first physical boot camp in Nairobi demonstrated the organisation’s commitment to building a pan-African leadership movement.

Nwakanma said the programme had shown the depth of talent among young African women, adding that providing them with opportunities, networks and support systems could help unlock their potential.

“Reaching the fifth cohort of the Leadership Accelerator Programme speaks to what is possible when we intentionally invest in young African women.

“Every cohort reminds us that Africa is rich with brilliant women who simply need the right opportunities, networks, and support systems to thrive.

“Hosting our first Boot Camp in Nairobi also reflects our commitment to building a truly pan-African leadership movement that connects and empowers women across borders,” she stated.

Participants described the boot camp as a transformational experience, particularly the opportunity to learn from accomplished facilitators and interact with emerging leaders from different African countries.

One of the participants said the programme had broadened her understanding of leadership and reinforced the importance of service, collaboration and creating opportunities for others.

“The Leadership Accelerator Programme has expanded my perspective on leadership and reminded me that leadership is about service, collaboration, and creating opportunities for others.

“Beyond the sessions, the relationships I have built here will remain one of the most valuable parts of this experience,” she said.