The African School of Governance has said 48 students drawn from 14 African countries are undergoing leadership and governance training in Rwanda as part of efforts to develop practical solutions to the continent’s persistent challenges.
The institution, headquartered in Kigali, said the students are enrolled in its flagship Master of Public Administration programme, which combines academic learning with practical governance experience.
Speaking on his motivation for joining the programme, Tanzanian student Daniel Naftal Lema said he had long questioned why many African problems continue to resurface despite huge investments by governments and institutions.
“When I arrived at ASG, I came with a question that had stayed with me for years,” Lema said.
“Growing up in Tanzania, I watched governments and institutions commit enormous resources to solving Africa’s problems, only to see many of the same issues return years later. I wanted to understand why, and more importantly, gain the tools to contribute to lasting solutions.”
According to the institution, the programme exposes students directly to policymakers, governance institutions and public sector reform initiatives across Africa through its Work Integrated Learning programme.
ASG noted that students regularly engage with policymakers and practitioners to understudy how policies are formulated and implemented in complex political environments.
The school added that the initiative was founded in 2022 by Paul Kagame and Hailemariam Desalegn to address gaps in leadership education and governance capacity across the continent.
The institution said the programme was designed for mid-career civil servants, emerging graduates and professionals from the private and development sectors seeking careers in governance and public leadership.
It added that faculty members and guest lecturers were drawn from African governments, regional institutions and international development organisations to ensure students gain practical insights into governance realities across the continent.
Speaking on the vision behind the initiative, Kagame said Africa’s development depends on building strong institutions capable of producing competent leaders.
“For Africa to rise, we must build institutions, not just individuals,” he said.
ASG also disclosed that scholarships supported by the Mastercard Foundation were available to qualified candidates based on merit and financial need.
The institution said applications for the programme remain open until May 31, 2026.
Olawale Franklin Akinselure is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with 12 years of experience covering education, politics, health, environment, judiciary, metro, and community beats. He specializes in producing insightful, wide-ranging reports that inform and engage readers. His reporting reflects practical newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a dedication to accurate, reliable journalism.
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