African leaders have appointed a former presidential aspirant and former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, as the inaugural president of the African School of Governance, ASG, based in Kigali, Rwanda.
His appointment took effect on October 1, 2024, after a global competitive search.
The leaders, during the weekend announced the establishment of the school, a new independent, pan-African professional graduate-school university of public policy and governance.
The ASG aims to address the continent’s pressing governance challenges by offering a world-class education in public policy and governance, equipping emerging leaders with the mindsets, skills and knowledge required for effective leadership of Africa’s future.
Founded by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and former Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn (both co-founders of the ASG Foundation), in consultation with other African leaders, academicians and philanthropists dedicated to improving governance across the continent. ASG is supported by the Mastercard Foundation.
It also has a founding strategic partnership with the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore.
ASG also has an esteemed independent Governing Board, comprising Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation, IFC, and former Minister of Finance and Economy of Senegal as Chair of the Board.
Other Board members include Donald Kaberuka, former President of the African Development Bank; Kishore Mahbubani, former Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy; Hajer Gueldich, Legal Counsel of African Union and former Professor of International Law at the University of Carthage, Tunisia; and Francis Gatare, CEO of Rwanda Development Board.
As the inaugural President of ASG, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, a globally recognized leader in public policy and governance, will steer the institution towards its ambitious goals.
Professor Moghalu, in addition to having served as deputy governor of the CBN, held senior positions in the United Nations system for 17 years and has lectured at such prestigious institutions as Harvard, Oxford, and The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
He is also the author of several books, including the critically acclaimed Emerging Africa: How the Global Economy’s ‘Last Frontier’ Can Prosper and Matter.
ASG’s Board Chairman and Managing Director of IFC, Makhtar Diop, said of Moghalu’s appointment: “We are excited to welcome Kingsley Moghalu as President of the African School of Governance.
‘’His sterling track record of leadership in international and national policymaking institutions, academia, and his thought leadership influence, will help make ASG a transformative graduate school and develop a new generation of purpose-driven leaders with the skills and mindsets to help Africa address the challenges of the 21st Century.
“The establishment of ASG is a powerful expression of a clear vision on the part of the founding leaders.”
On his appointment, Prof. Moghalu said: “I share this vision of a transformed Africa driven by competent leadership and governance, and I am honored to have been tasked with leading ASG’s critical contribution to making that vision a reality.”
ASG will offer a comprehensive suite of academic, research and policy engagement programmes, designed to meet the governance, leadership and policy deficits across Africa.
These include the Master of Public Administration, MPA, and the Executive Master of Public Administration, EMPA, programs, and Executive Courses of 2-3 weeks duration aimed at enhancing specific leadership skills for professionals.
Additionally, there will be the Young Leaders Programme, YLP, and the Senior Leadership Fellowship, SLF, for high-potential undergraduates and seasoned professionals nearing the end of their careers, ensuring that ASG supports leadership development at every stage.
It will also establish four dedicated research centers, namely Center for Home-Grown Innovations in African Governance; Center for African History and Leadership; Center for Trade and Regional Integration; and the Center for Technology in Governance.
