By Mohamed Attia:
The ASG African University of Governance, headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda, in collaboration with Mastercard, has launched its Future Leaders Program aimed at developing the next generation of governance leaders in Africa. Professor Kingsley Moghalu, CEO of ASG, announced during the African Digital Summit in Cairo that the inaugural program, commencing in September, will seek the participation of ten exceptional Egyptian students. These individuals will join a cohort of 50 high-achieving students selected from across the African continent.
Professor Moghalu underscored Egypt’s historical significance and influential position within Africa, both continentally and on the global stage. He emphasized ASG’s strategic objective to forge partnerships and attract talented students to its Master’s program in Governance and Management. During his visit to Egypt, Professor Moghalu engaged in discussions with various Egyptian governmental and non-governmental organizations to explore opportunities for Egyptian youth to benefit from the Master’s program, which is designed to cultivate a new cadre of effective government leaders in Africa.
ASG boasts a distinguished board of directors comprising prominent African and international figures and benefits from substantial support from both African and international entities and institutions. The university’s core belief lies in the transformative power of governance and technology in driving Africa’s development and addressing its multifaceted challenges. This conviction underpins its commitment to nurturing a new generation of leaders capable of enacting meaningful change across the continent.
The African University of Governance was co-founded by esteemed leaders, including Rwandan President Paul Kagame and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. Its exceptional board includes luminaries such as Donald Kaberuka, former President of the African Development Bank; Makhtar Diop, CEO of the International Finance Corporation; Hagar Kaldeche, Legal Counsel to the African Union; and Kishore Mahbubani, a renowned Asian scholar and Founding Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, and former Singaporean Ambassador to the United Nations. Professor Kingsley Moghalu, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and a member of the Mastercard Foundation, also serves on the board.
The Mastercard Foundation has committed an initial funding of $20 million to ASG. The university has also established collaborative agreements with prestigious institutions, including the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, and offers an accredited Master’s degree in Governance and Management.
Professor Moghalu highlighted ASG’s participation in the Future of Digital Nations 2025 Summit as a testament to the intrinsic link between digital advancement and effective governance. The university also offers executive education programs tailored for mid-career professionals. He stated that ASG’s current outreach aims to identify talent across Africa, cultivate local partnerships, and establish a robust pan-African network of future public sector leaders.
Professor Moghalu emphasized the pivotal role of technology in the contemporary world, noting Africa’s rich scientific and technological heritage, abundant natural resources, and a burgeoning youth population increasingly engaged in innovation. Consequently, ASG integrates technology throughout its programs, offering specialized courses in science, technology, and innovation, alongside a dedicated research center focused on technology governance. This approach aims to equip future leaders with the skills to leverage technology for enhanced productivity, resource management, and to navigate the evolving digital economy, thereby strengthening governance through technological tools.
In his concluding remarks, Professor Moghalu stressed the imperative for Africa to transition from being solely a consumer of technology to becoming a producer, innovator, and exporter. He cautioned that failure to prioritize production would perpetuate the continent’s dependence on external sources. To achieve technological self-sufficiency and advancement, he urged the encouragement of youth innovation in developing technological solutions that address Africa’s specific needs across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and governance.
