With Africa’s future hinging on the quality of its leadership, Rwanda’s African School of Governance (ASG) is setting out to equip the next generation with the tools to transform the continent, ethically, strategically, and boldly.
Its President and Vice Chancellor Kingsley Moghalu argues that Africa does not need to copy leadership models from the West.
He says Africa ought to solve its own problems through African solutions, rooted in our own experiences, realities, and leadership values, not by copying foreign models that don’t fit our context.
Instead, he says, it needs its own high-level institution grounded in African realities.
“This institution seeks to train a new generation of African leaders with degrees, fellowships and other programmes in leadership and governance in a manner that transforms the continent.”
Moghalu says ASG’s flagship Master's Degree in Public Administration (MPA) is designed not just to teach policy, but to instill a mindset of purpose-driven leadership.
Moghalu, who has been on tour of the continent, made a stop in Nairobi this week.
He spoke to the Star about the tour, the continent-wide leadership gaps ASG hopes to fill, and how the school will reshape what it means to lead in Africa.
Why is Kenya a key focus for ASG?
Kenya is important because ASG is a Pan-African university, so we want students from the continent to come and train. I am actually in Kenya as part of a tour that has taken us to Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt and Mozambique.
We are trying to recruit students for our Master of Public Administration, which is our flagship programme, and also to reach out to governments and companies for our short-term courses that run for three days, one week, or a maximum of two weeks.
Why should young Africans care about governance, and what role can they play in shaping it? Governance is what determines the destiny of tomorrow.
Leadership and governance are the determinants of the social and economic problems that we face in the continent. Whether we talk about job creation, business opportunities, or peace and security, it all comes down to governance.
We have a continent of 1.3 billion and 70 per cent of them are young people and so whether they are governed well or badly, effectively or ineffectively, it matters for their future in terms of whether they can get jobs, have enabling environment to start businesses and whether there can be peace and security in the continent.
How can education systems like ASG’s empower youth to become ethical, impactful leaders?
Unlike other institutions that focus on knowledge and skills, ASG adds another layer, which is mindset.
If you don’t teach that development begins in the mind, you miss the foundation of transformative leadership.
ASG’s model centers on servant leadership, ethical grounding, and a mindset aligned with Africa’s development goals. We have to train people of a new and different mindset of leadership, which is ethical.
How will ASG work with Kenyan institutions and ensure inclusive, locally tailored governance training?
ASG’s vision includes not just enrolling Kenyan students in its MPA program, but also providing executive short courses for public and private sector leaders.
I have met with Kenya’s Education Cabinet Secretary and ICT Principal Secretary and we are already in concrete discussions on collaborations between ASG and the Kenyan government.
First, we want Kenyans to apply for the MPA programme. ASG’s vision includes not just enrolling Kenyan students in its MPA program, but also providing executive short courses for public and private sector leaders.
There are general courses, but within those, we include country-specific case studies.
Governance isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Why should someone come to study at ASG?
At ASG, we have specific courses for a specific African context that equips you to address African challenges.
You may go to other foreign institutions, but the courses there are not applicable to the situation inside African countries, so this is the biggest distinction.
After two years, you will walk away with a different mindset that makes you a more superior leader.
ASG also teaches you to be proud about Africa and to drive an African narrative to the world about what is great and good about Africa, and not just about what is bad.
ASG would be a network of very influential people on the continent. It was founded by the President of Rwanda Paul Kagame, and the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia Hailemariam Desalegn, so this is not a small initiative; it attracts so many top-tier leaders.
Therefore, when you go through ASG you become part of the network. Ten years from now, the question won’t be whether you went to Harvard. It will be, did you go through ASG? That’s how transformative this will be.
What does it cost, and is it worth it?
ASG charges $15,000 per year, which is very modest compared to what Africans pay to go and study at Harvard, which is over $80,000 a yea,r or Oxford ($60,000) a year.
We also offer scholarships. Money should not stop anyone from applying. First and apply and get admitted, then you can apply for a scholarship if you need it.
Do young Africans have real influence in government, or are they included just symbolically?
There is a difference between politics and governance. Africa has many politicians, but not enough governance.
Many African leaders have focused more on politics, gaining power from it, benefiting from it, but have not focused on governance that can transform their countries.
ASG seeks to fill that gap by training young professionals and even current leaders with real governance skills. It’s about execution, not just position.
What does reimagined leadership look like in the age of influencers and digital platforms?
Leadership must be authentic.
Just because someone is an influencer on social media platforms doesn’t mean they should influence you.
Social media has changed the way a lot of things happen and so youth must learn to evaluate whether that influence is positive or toxic.
You have to measure the influence any influencer is having on you, if it's positive go along, if it's best don't waste your time.
ASG plans to help young Africans develop the critical thinking skills to distinguish substance from noise in the digital age.
Is ethical leadership possible in corrupt systems, and how can youth push back against the norm?
Yes, it’s possible. Africa is facing a lot of problems with corruption, which is not unique.
There is corruption everywhere. How do you tackle it? It is to teach people ethical leadership and create incentives for people to meet ethical standards.
Another way to overcome it is to push for accountability and this is where the voice of young Africans comes out.
If the young people rise up in protest against corruption or failed leadership, it will have consequences.
We may not get to see the consequences in one day, but over time, you will have to see changes, and that is why we have to push for accountability so that when people commit acts of corruption, they must pay for it.
In China, for example, the reason why people behave themselves like in the first countries is not because they are better than Africans, they know they must account, they might go to prison, and in some countries, you may face death.
Leadership by example is very important.
What does transformative leadership look like to youth in 2025, and how can ASG help develop it?
Transformative leadership has a purpose and a mission to change the lives of people, entity or any group.
Leadership is not just formal positions or authority, you can lead in a group of friends, church, and many other dimensions, but transformative leadership always wants to take a group of people to a higher point that is measurable.
It is purpose-driven, it's ambitious, it can take risks (carefully managed risks) but also ethical.
