The Leaders: Africa program seeks to build a growing network of innovative and ethical changemakers who will drive positive change in their communities, the continent, and the world.
ABOUT US
Leaders: Africa is a year-long program that provides 200 emerging African leaders with the skills they need to create change. The non-residential program offers leaders with a range of backgrounds, the opportunity to attend in-person and online seminars focused on values-based leadership development, skill-building for social change, hands-on service learning, and technical trainings.
In addition to sharpening these leaders’ collaboration and management skills, it also equips them to be force multipliers in their communities and on the continent long after the program concludes. That’s why several members from the inaugural 2018 program year returned to serve as speakers, facilitators, and mentors for the 2019 cohort. More program offerings include:
An Inspirational Convening
The program begins with an intensive leadership and skill-building convening that brings together the entire cohort for five days of connection and training in their region. The gathering includes inspiring speakers primarily from the region, interactive workshops, service learning, and collaborative work projects.
A Digital Platform for Learning and Connection
Leaders are connected to their cohort online, as well as to sub-cohorts by issue area and region, to
foster peer-to-peer learning and collaborative problem-solving. Obama Foundation staff will regularly convene smaller groups for virtual workshops and seminars, as well as regular check-ins.
Bonds that Last a Lifetime and Support Action
After the program, Leaders join a larger network of Obama Foundation-affiliated changemakers, with ongoing access to thought leaders and opportunities in our growing network.
WATCH
Program year concludes with acts of service across the continent
To mark the close of their program year, Obama Leaders from across the African continent volunteered to design and implement collaborative service projects that positively impacted their local communities. Learn more about the projects +
Updates
See the latest updates from the Leaders: Africa program.

MEET THE LEADERS
Brahim Ali Abakar
Chad
Zama Dlamini
Swaziland
Anthony Owei
Nigeria
Xabiso Dubasi
South Africa
Innocent Magambi
Burundi
Lilian Nakigozi
Uganda
Lanre Oniyitan
Nigeria
Francis Kaifala
Sierra Leone
Bezawit Zerayacob Bekele
Ethiopia
Titilayo Ogunrinde
Nigeria
Ruth Bolline Alouch
Kenya
Marvin Tarawally
Liberia
Elizabeth Kasujja
Uganda
Jessica Dewhurst
South Africa
Suleiman Kuchengo
United Republic of Tanzania
Nour Brahimi
Algeria
Koshin Muktar
Somalia
Claude Marie Térence Andtoungou
Gabon
Touria Benlafqih
Morocco
Skhulile Ndlovu
South Africa
Ellen Chigwanda
Zimbabwe
Mmoloki Pitse
Botswana
Muzalema Mwanza
Zambia
Mwayi Kampesi
Malawi
Breznévia Mascarenhas
Mozambique
Rachid Ennassiri
Morocco
Mostafa Amin
Egypt
Kingdom U. Nwanyanwu
Nigeria
Lusungu Kalanga
Malawi
Mohamed Dhaouafi
Tunisia
Rekgotsofetse Chikane
South Africa
Helene Manyi Arrey
Cameroon
Sara Alhouni
Libya
Dr. Hassanatu Mansaray
Sierra Leone
Dr. Kakenya Ntaiya
Kenya
Caren Wakoli
Kenya
Mahamane Fondogoumo Djitteye
Mali
Sithe Ncube
Zambia
Etienne Mashuli
Burundi
Valerio Thompson Boco
Equatorial Guinea
Pascal Adriyo Anguezi
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Abel Mekete Dagnew
Ethiopia
Daylene van Buuren
South Africa
Janvier Manirakiza
Burundi
Likumbi Kapihya
Zambia
Ludwekazi Ndlazi
South Africa
Abdoul Aziz Traore
Burkina Faso
Kwame Andrews Daklo
Ghana
Kadele Bohouo
Cote d'Ivoire
King Gyan
Ghana
Stephen Wanyingo
Kenya
Portia Tshabalala
South Africa
Candace Nkoth Bisseck
Cameroon
Mohamed Hassan
Kenya
Aya Alrabbat
Egypt
Thuba Sibanda
Namibia
Lalaina Randriarimanana
Madagascar
Sorieba Daffae
Sierra Leone
Sai Govinder
South Africa
Nosa Oghafua
Nigeria
Fola Bamisaye
Nigeria
Ines Atugonza Muganyizi
United Republic of Tanzania
Mandipa Machacha
Botswana
Koffi Leon Kouame
Cote d'Ivoire
Bvudzai Magadzire
South Africa
Wilfried Adingra
Cote d'Ivoire
Bongajum Lesley
Cameroon
Uadamen Ilevbaoje
Nigeria
Emilia Miki
Cameroon
Ako Essan Emile
Cote d'Ivoire
Uchenna Onwuamaegbu-Ugwu
Nigeria
Wenceslas Djokpeé
Benin
Philippe Houinsou
Benin
Nvulane Nhlapo
Lesotho
Willie Setlhoka
Botswana
Fernanda Matsinhe
Mozambique
Limbi Blessing
Cameroon
Dirug Samuel
Nigeria
Javnyuy Joybert
Cameroon
Paula Morais
Angola
Kevin Saffee Baffoe
Ghana
Hilda Morara
Kenya
Hazabintwali Charles
Rwanda
Lalita Purbhoo Junggee
Mauritius
Allan Tumbo
South Africa
Ngatia Kirungie
Kenya
Veda Sunassee
Rwanda
Oyo Effiom
Nigeria
Maryan Hassan
Somalia
Oswald Chishanga
Zimbabwe
Sonia Orwa
Kenya
Samson Wambuzi
Uganda
Wangari Muchiri
Kenya
Kwadwo Lartey
Ghana
Nkemdilim Uwaje
Nigeria
Mostafa Adel
Egypt
Robert Hakiza
Uganda
Kitso Phillip Phiri
Botswana
Bukola Bolarinwa
Nigeria
Hossam Tolba
Egypt
Hauwa Ojeifo
Nigeria
Mpho Tjope
South Africa
Gatwal Yul
South Sudan
Vyonne Bellys Akoth
Kenya
Anne Waruguru Kiai
Kenya
Ahmed Elmurtada Abdalla
Sudan
Pontso Tsoeunyane
Lesotho
Rahama Nantoumé
Mali
Eddy Balina
Uganda
Andrew Ihsaan Gasnolar
South Africa
Souley Harouna
Niger
Davidetta Cassell
Liberia
Nigel Gambanga
Zimbabwe
Fatoumatta Kassama
Gambia
Omar Ibn Abdillah
Comoros
Chris Kulanga
Malawi
Wandile Mthiyane
South Africa
Albert Uwayo
Rwanda
Mpara Faith
Cameroon
Turki Mohamed
Djibouti
Gabriel Ally
South Africa
Harry Mwailengo
Kenya
Nichole Onome Yembra
Nigeria
Elvis Ossindji Binou
Gabon
Ornella Dushime
Burundi
Whitney Achieng Okumu
Uganda
Salmine Sassi
Tunisia
Lesley Williams
South Africa
Cammue Mulbah
Liberia
Kémo Touré Jr.
Senegal
Katrina Amupolo
Namibia
Kalkidan Belayneh
Ethiopia
Moitshepi Matsheng
Botswana
Ebtehal Elghamrawy
Egypt
Essi Geraldo
Togo
Robert Sourokou
Benin
Hantanirina Volasoa
Madagascar
Ade Akpona
Benin
Cathy Sibanda Thebe
Botswana
Mohammed Elobeid
Sudan
Nina Forgwe
Cameroon
Teresa Mbagaya
Kenya
Taryn Lock
South Africa
Adaku Ufere
Nigeria
Samaila Goje
Nigeria
Clara Chassungo Silva
Angola
Modjenpa Bibiche
Cameroon
Luther Jeke
Liberia
Zachuas Ogonji
Kenya
Lwazi Wali
South Africa
Thandeka Xaba
South Africa
Lucky Chambers Umezulike
Nigeria
Shamiso Ruzvidzo
Zimbabwe
Karen Mukwasi
Zimbabwe
Ernest Charles Futta
United Republic of Tanzania
Richard Kachungu
Zambia
Caleb Ndaka David
Kenya
Aïssatou Aïda Dosso
Cote d'Ivoire
Abdul Samed Zurak
Ghana
Somto Anunobi
Nigeria
Jeremy Lissouba
Republic of the Congo
Tanekeu Goula Durance
Cameroon
E.N. Ejob
Cameroon
Daniela Rakotomamonjy
Madagascar
Tumelo Makobye
Botswana
Kumbirai Kahiya
Zimbabwe
Angela Wachuka
Kenya
Elyes Guermazi
Tunisia
Gaëlle Ramamonjisoa
Madagascar
Frankson Musukwa
Zambia
Ada Ezeokoli
Nigeria
Goto Cooper
Liberia
Funkola Odeleye
Nigeria
Charles Immanuel Akhimien
Nigeria
Brenda Mwale
Malawi
Grace Pisirai
Zimbabwe
Isabella Akinseye
Nigeria
Kingsley Ezeani
Nigeria
Linda Kamau
Kenya
Blaise Aboh
Nigeria
Donald Tererai
Zimbabwe
Gamariel Mboya
Tanzania
Nancy Sumari
United Republic of Tanzania
Michael Sunbola
Nigeria
Tina Boules Guirguis
Egypt
Refilwe Ledwaba
South Africa
Lucinda van den Heever
South Africa
Tsholofelo Mokgoabone
Botswana
Jerry Odili
Nigeria
Daisry Mathias
Namibia
O’Brien Makore
Zimbabwe
Returning Leaders
Part of the theory of change of the Obama Foundation is that our Leaders continue to be force multipliers in their communities and on the continent long after their program year concludes. That’s why we’re pleased to welcome back 15 members of the 2018 class to serve as speakers, facilitators, and mentors for the new class. Meet a few of them below!

King Gyan is a star Ghanaian footballer, but we know him as a changemaker who’s inspiring the next generation through sport. Take a peek at King's day-to-day work at the Right to Dream Academy.

Nichole Yembra is inspiring, empowering, and connecting the future of women-led tech in Africa. See how she's doing it.

"Effective leadership isn't about telling others what to do. It takes emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-regulation, and empathy."—Veda Sunassee writes about his experience at the convening. Read the full blog +
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