Since its doors first opened in 2008, the African Leadership Academy has been a catalyst for change and development on the African continent. The Academy’s board and staff work tirelessly to produce Africa’s businessmen and women, engineers, entrepreneurs, scientists, artists, agricultural pioneers and social activists of tomorrow. Managing Director Tunde Folawiyo, who sits on the African Leadership Academy’s Global Advisory Board, is a Nigerian businessman and head of the Yinka Folawiyo Group, a holding company with interests in engineering, agriculture, real estate, transportation and the energy industry. Tunde Folawiyo has headed several multi-national strategic ventures through his work in the banking and energy sectors.
The African Leadership Academy was founded in 2004 by Ghanaian Executive Chairman Fred Swaniker, US CEO Chris Bradford, Acha Leke of Cameroon and Peter Mombaur of South Africa. The Academy’s vision is to transform Africa by establishing a network of more than 6,000 leaders to work together in solving Africa’s biggest modern-day challenges. Through connecting and developing Africa’s future leaders, the Academy seeks to enable lasting peace on the African continent and promote prosperity.
Africa’s greatest needs have been cited as entrepreneurial and ethical leadership. Many feel that investment is too often made in addressing the symptoms of poor leadership (e.g. donating aid to those impacted by famine, poverty and war) rather than treating the root cause and finding a cure. It is the premise of the African Leadership Academy to produce leaders who endeavour to prevent war, entrepreneurs who create wealth and jobs, as well as innovators to find lasting solutions to the fundamental problems faced by Africans, both now and in the future. The Academy seeks to accomplish this by rooting out young Africans with potential for leadership, and through applied learning, hone those skills and put them into practice. The African Leadership Academy provides its students with access to business mentors, resources and opportunities to promote their learning, growth and ultimately their impact on Africa’s future.
The African Leadership Academy comb Africa seeking out young people who show a spark of initiative, helping these young people to realise their opportunities and reach their maximum potential. Students undertake intensive training programmes of hands on leadership development and intellectual growth. These young leaders are mentored by a network of influential African business people, helping them to attain maximum transformative impact.
The African Leadership Academy’s six core values are:
- Curiosity
- Compassion
- Humility
- Integrity
- Diversity
- Excellence