African Leaders Programme LEAD Expands Second Cohort as First Class Shows Rapid Impact

A pan-African leadership programme designed to strengthen excellence in public governance across the continent has announced the launch of its second cohort, with impressive early results from its inaugural class suggesting the initiative is reshaping Africa's administrative landscape. LEAD, created by the Africa CEO Forum, brings together 50 senior public decision-makers for an intensive three-day programme at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Rabat from 28 to 30 August 2026, marking a significant expansion of the initiative just one year after its launch.

The programme's first cohort, comprising 36 fellows from 24 countries across Africa, has already demonstrated tangible impact. Within twelve months, six members—representing roughly 17 percent of the class—have secured major career advancement, including two ministerial appointments, two promotions to strategic state positions, and two appointments to chief executive roles. These outcomes underscore LEAD's role as an accelerator of leadership and reform within African institutions.

Building a Continental Community of Public Leaders

LEAD operates around three core pillars: modernising the state, improving public services, and strengthening cooperation between governments, development institutions and the private sector. The programme convenes senior administrators and policy-makers to exchange experiences, compare practices and develop collective solutions to Africa's economic, technological and institutional challenges.

The second cohort will engage with high-profile speakers including Mehdi Jomaa, former Prime Minister of Tunisia; Donald Kaberuka, former President of the African Development Bank; Serge Ekue, President of the West African Development Bank; and international experts in digital infrastructure and governance. These sessions aim to expose participants to reform experiences and policy trade-offs facing the continent's leaders.

The initiative receives backing from major partners including the African Development Bank, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, the West African Development Bank, Boston Consulting Group and Asafo & Co, reflecting institutional confidence in the programme's mission to elevate African public administration.

Why Digital Public Infrastructure Matters for Ghana

During its first year, LEAD's inaugural cohort focused on digital public infrastructure (DPI) as a priority theme—an area directly relevant to Ghana and West African governments. DPI encompasses digital identity systems, payment infrastructure, secure data exchange platforms and interoperability frameworks that underpin modern public service delivery. These systems are critical to improving citizen access to government services, enhancing transparency and reducing corruption.

Ghana, like other ECOWAS nations, faces the challenge of building robust digital identity and payment systems that protect citizens whilst supporting local economic development and digital sovereignty. The discussions within LEAD on digital governance, data protection and interoperability reflect priorities that Ghanaian policymakers are navigating. The alumni network emerging from LEAD creates opportunities for knowledge-sharing and practical collaboration on these challenges across the continent.

The programme's long-term vision—to unite several hundred African public officials around a shared culture of transparency, performance and regional cooperation—has particular significance for West Africa. As African states pursue digital transformation and economic integration through initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area, coordinated approaches to public governance and digital infrastructure become increasingly important.

Expanding Impact Through an Alumni Network

LEAD follows a multi-year strategy, adding a new cohort of fellows annually to build a growing alumni community. By cultivating networks of reform-minded public officials across the continent, the initiative aims to create lasting institutional change. The first cohort's participation in events such as Africa Public Service Day and discussions at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali has amplified the programme's influence beyond the fellows themselves.

As Ghana and other African nations work to strengthen public institutions, improve service delivery and navigate digital transformation, the emergence of cross-continental leadership networks like LEAD provides a platform for best-practice sharing and institutional learning. The demonstrated track record of the first cohort—with rapid advancement into decision-making roles—suggests that participation in such programmes can accelerate reform-minded leadership into positions where they can drive systemic change.