The African School of Governance Foundation (ASGF) announced the establishment of the African School of Governance (ASG) graduate institution designed to offer world-class public policy education, research, and engagement programs.
The ASG aims to address the continent’s pressing governance challenges by equipping emerging leaders with the mindsets, skills and knowledge required for effective leadership in Africa’s future. The initiative brings together visionaries committed to creating a sustainable governance model rooted in African realities.
The ASG initiative is founded by Paul Kagame, president of Rwanda and Hailemariam Desalegn, former prime minister of Ethiopia (both co-founders of the ASG Foundation) in consultation with other African leaders, academicians, and philanthropists dedicated to improving governance across the continent.
ASG is supported by the Mastercard Foundation as part of its Young Africa Works strategy, which aims to enable 30-million young Africans, 70% of whom are women, to access dignified and fulfilling work opportunities by 2030.
Desalegn comments: “The time is ripe for an institution rooted in Africa’s needs and aspirations. The African School of Governance will be a hub for nurturing purpose-driven leaders equipped to tackle the continent’s greatest challenges and opportunities, combining Africa’s uniqueness with international best practices. This is not just an educational institution, but a movement towards sustainable African leadership.”
Africa’s rapid economic growth, increasing global influence, and evolving governance structures present unprecedented opportunities and challenges. From post-pandemic recovery to climate adaptation, the continent’s policymakers face complex and urgent issues that require skilled leadership. ASG aims to meet this critical need, by developing current and future leaders who can address these challenges through a shift in leadership mindsets, governance, and sustainable development to drive long-term, meaningful change across the continent.
ASG will offer a comprehensive suite of academic programs designed to meet governance, leadership, and policy deficit across Africa. These include the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and the Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) programs, which are tailored to mid-career professionals and senior executives, respectively. ASG will also provide specialized Executive Courses aimed at enhancing specific leadership skills for professionals.
Additionally, the Young Leaders Program (YLP) and Senior Leadership Fellowship (SLF) will cater for high-potential undergraduates and seasoned professionals nearing the end of their careers, ensuring that ASG supports leadership development at every stage.
In addition to its educational offerings, ASG will play a critical role in advancing governance through its dedicated research centres. These include the Centre for Home-Grown Innovations in Policy and Governance, the Centre for African History and Leadership, the Centre for Trade and Regional Integration, and the Centre for Technology and Effective Delivery. These research hubs will focus on generating evidence-based solutions tailored to African governance challenges, helping policymakers design and implement effective policies and strategies.
ASG is supported by the ASG Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation, that exists to help mobilise funding and manage its endowments, as well as give strategic guidance to the institution and support related initiatives for the development of African leaders.
The establishment of ASG is supported by strong strategic partnerships with other world-class institutions, including the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, and the Mastercard Foundation.