In an earlier post I talked about the role of business schools in educating African managers. Some of these schools aim not only to educate managers but also to develop leaders. Lagos Business School and Strathmore Business School, for instance, set out to develop African leaders. At IESE, we share this ambition – the slogan “developing leaders you can trust” captures our mission in a nutshell – but beyond business schools there are many other organizations aimed at developing African leaders. One such organization is Africa 2.0.
In its own words, Africa 2.0 is “a pan-African civil society organization that consists of young and emerging leaders from Africa and the diaspora who share a collective vision for Africa and a commitment to finding and implementing sustainable solutions that will in turn leapfrog the development of the continent.”
More than a network, Africa 2.0 is a community. It brings together people from the private sector, government, and civil society. While organized by the youth and for the youth, it bridges generations by bringing in seasoned leaders who can pass their experience on to the young ones. Members of this community are bound by a common goal: “Transform hope into action from today onwards in order to establish a prosperous and Inspiring Africa within the next 20 years.”
Africa 2.0 works by first pilot-testing an initiative in a few countries, and then replicating this initiative in other countries with an active chapter. Current initiatives include:
- Startup Africa supports African entrepreneurs who build new companies that contribute meaningfully towards the social development of communities;
- Regional Corporate Champions Index (RCCI) is a yearly report that identifies and rates African Corporations based on their social responsibility expenditure;
- Mentorship Programoffers a variety of formal and informal mentorship opportunities with the aim of fostering intergenerational dialogue and knowledge transfer;
- Infrastructure Advisory Facilityaims at accelerating the completion of infrastructure projects by mobilizing and seconding young African talents into government Project Management Units.
- Africa 2.0 Game Changers features individuals and programs whose initiatives are transforming Africa.
Isn’t this a vibrant community? Do you know of other similar initiatives?
Dear Africa,
These are outstanding initiatives indeed. Thanks for sharing!
I wonder whether they promote women-in- business efforts within each line or they have specific actions for them. Being part of organizations such as IWEC or AmCham-Women in Business, both including mentorship programs, it could be interesting bridging them to learn from each-another. Un fuerte abrazo!
Hi Maria, good to hear from you!
I don’t think they have women-specific programs. I’m in contact with the leader of the Spanish Chapter (a woman, btw) and I can find out from her.
Maria, this is the info I got: 53% of Africa 2.0 members are women. Their manifesto also recognizes the important role of women in accelerating the development process of Africa. They have a program for women under mentorship, which is gradually being implemented in some chapters
Hi guys
its good to see that African youth are doing it for them self, am in South Africa I would really like to know where you guys base in South Africa if it means you have offices this side. I would like to know as to say how do you then choose youth people around Africa, who will be attending this conference like the up coming one in Ghana.im also youth active person who wish to make difference in this world just before I passed on.
Hi Jabu, I’ll make sure people from Africa 2.0 get your message.
Hello, I understand that the Secretariat of Africa 2.0 can inform you. Their address is secretariat@africa2point0.org
Best, Africa