A new pan-African public policy and management training institute for public servants, business leaders and young students is poised to launch officially in Kigali, Rwanda.
The African School of Governance (ASG) is an initiative backed by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and the Mastercard Foundation. Notable figures on its board include Daniel Kaberuka (the former president of the African Development Bank), Makhtar Diop, managing director of the International Finance Corporation, and Hailemariam Desalegn, the former Ethiopian prime minister.
President Kagame welcomed Professor Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu, the president of ASG, to Urugwiro Village in Kigali late last year to discuss preparations for the formal opening of the university.
The private meeting reaffirmed Rwanda’s dedication to transformative governance and leadership on the African continent.
It highlighted President Kagame’s dual role as Rwanda’s leader and co-founder of ASG. The discussions centred around his vision for cultivating effective governance and leadership across Africa.
ASG was initiated in October 2024 and has its headquarters in Kigali. It aims to prepare emerging African leaders to advance the continent’s development.
The School will offer graduate courses in governance, leadership, policy, research and management to equip future leaders with the expertise to turn aspirations into tangible results.
Kagame on ASG’s vision and role
President Kagame described ASG as a crucial initiative, stating, “The institution will carry the aspirations of the African continent.”
He stressed the gap between Africa’s developmental ambitions and actual outcomes, attributing this to a lack of effective governance and the need for a mindset shift about African identity and global competitiveness.
Through teaching, research and advocacy, ASG aims to bridge this gap, fostering confidence, capability and impactful governance among African leaders.
Progress towards launch
Professor Moghalu updated President Kagame on key milestones, including the near-completion of ASG’s accreditation process, faculty recruitment and preparations for a pan-African student body.
The “grand launch” of ASG will take place on Tuesday (14 January 2025). The university’s academic courses, including a Master of Public Administration (MPA), are set to begin in September 2025.
Resource mobilization efforts are under way to ensure the institution’s sustainability and success.
Expressing his gratitude after the meeting, Professor Moghalu said, “It is an honour to have had an audience with His Excellency Paul Kagame this afternoon. I deeply appreciate his vision and support for ASG and his commitment to Africa’s progress and transformation.”
Shaping Africa’s leadership landscape
The African School of Governance will address critical leadership and governance challenges in Africa.
By nurturing visionary leaders and fostering good governance, it is expected to play a pivotal role in driving Africa’s transformation and sustainable development.
As the institution prepares for its first cohort of students, it embodies the shared commitment of its founders and stakeholders to redefine Africa’s leadership narrative and chart a prosperous path for the continent.
