The Obama Foundation 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
While past Leaders Africa programs have begun with a multi-day convening in the region with 200 Leaders from across the continent and then continued online for one year, this year’s program has been adapted given the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on travel, gathering limits, and more. In light of those constraints and to prioritize the safety of our program participants, supporters, and staff, the 2021 Leaders Africa program will be a six-month, non-residential, virtual program for approximately 35 emerging leaders from across the continent.
This year’s program will focus on honing leadership skills, building deep relationships with fellow leaders, and exploring how to drive, scale, and make sustainable change. Participants will discuss a wide variety of regionally focused and global issues with thought leaders in government, civil society, and the private sector from across Africa and the Obama Foundation’s global network. Upon graduation, this group of Leaders will join a pan-African community of like-minded changemakers and will become part of a lifelong Obama Foundation community with access to a deep network of support.
The virtual Leaders Africa program seeks to identify exceptional leaders in government, civil society, and the private sector who have a clear issue-focus and who can illustrate the impact of their work. Our objective is to build a network of leaders with integrity, who create positive, innovative change in their communities, throughout Africa, and across the globe.
The program will run from January 2022 through June 2022. Leaders will participate in the following core elements of the program:
Twice Monthly Virtual Video Calls
These live virtual sessions will be the primary form of collective engagement. Connections two times monthly will offer a mix of new content (conversations with experts, introductions to leadership frameworks, skill-building, etc.) and interactive, small-group work in breakout rooms.
Monthly Community Groups
Leaders will work in peer learning groups that encourage deeper relationship-building and peer-learning, and offer an opportunity to reflect on or discuss open questions from the group sessions.
Individualized Leadership Coaching
Leaders will be paired with a coach to help them gain self-awareness, clarify goals, brainstorm ideas, achieve their development objectives, and unlock their potential.
In addition to the required elements, Leaders will have the opportunity to participate in a range of supplementary programming, including virtual Obama Foundation events, virtual cultural events, and virtual one-on-one conversations with experienced leaders in the global Obama Foundation network.
WATCH
The 2019 program year concluded with acts of service across the continent
To mark the close of the 2019 program year, Obama Leaders from across the African continent volunteered to design and implement collaborative service projects that positively impacted their local communities. Check out highlights +
Updates

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