Africa CEO Forum, together with four leading strategic partners: Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P),AigImoukhuede Foundation, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), yesterday, announced the launch of LEAD, a pan-African programme designed to groom a new generation of public policy leaders, who can drive sustainable economic transformation across the continent.

The initiative is a response to a striking paradox facing Africa’s development over the past two decades. Despite experiencing nearly uninterrupted economic growth, the continent’s 1.4 billion citizens continue to face significant gaps in public service delivery that constrain both economic development and quality of life.

While Africa’s GDP has expanded consistently, the translation of that growth into improved governance and citizen welfare has lagged behind other regions with comparable economic profiles.

The CEO of the African CEO Forum, Amir Ben Yahmed, said.

“We have seen remarkable examples of transformation in the Global South that demonstrate what is possible when public policy excellence becomes the foundation for development.

Brazil created a universal healthcare system while digitising public services. Indonesia became a global nickel leader through strategic industrial policy. India revolutionised financial inclusion with its Aadhaar digital identity programme. These successes show that well-designed governance can be the definite engine of economic transformation.”

According to a statement by the Forum, each year, LEAD will create a dynamic pan-African network of high-potential young civil servants who share a common vision of service excellence and will develop the tools, understanding, and insights to shape policies in their respective areas.