A new generation of hope: African scholars leading change

30 June 2026 - In this blog, Dr Louise Drake explores how African scholars are reimagining leadership for transformative change. Drawing on a leadership workshop series delivered by CISL in partnership with the 2025–2026 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme, the piece highlights hope, agency and Africa-led futures.

What does it take to create the conditions for transformative change on the African continent?

This question sat at the heart of the latest leadership series of leadership workshops delivered by CISL alongside the 2025-2026 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme. Designed to complement scholars’ academic journeys, the series created space to reflect on the capabilities required to shape resilient and thriving futures across Africa.

Prompted by Professor Tolullah Oni at the University of Cambridge, scholars were invited to reflect on the importance of hope. In contrast to wishful thinking or blind optimism, active hope is based on (1) collective change we can all believe in, (2) specific pathways to achieve that change, and (3) the agency to make it happen. 

At the close of the leadership series, scholars gathered in groups and were invited to articulate their own “stories of hope”. Across themes including identity, education, youth, entrepreneurship and technology, a shared message emerged: a determination to redefine systems, narratives, and possibilities on Africa’s terms.

The following summary is prepared in collaboration with Rutendo Chatiza, Oluwatimilehin Dorcas Falodun, Enita Ese Okonkwo, Boitshepho Ivy Marakalala, Eliasu Yahaya Bansi and Samson Adewoye, along with the wider group of scholars. All entries in italics are verbatim quotes from the students. 

The stories we tell

“It is Africans who must define their reality, tell their stories with clarity and conviction, and reclaim control over how the continent is seen and understood in the world.”

One group explored what it would take to shift narratives that have long framed Africa in terms of limitation and dependence. The group’s vision centred on a collective movement to “reclaim our identity, have a shared dream towards economic development and retell our narratives to expand Africa’s influence”. It was clear that this required centring African voices and experiences on the global stage, through sustained investment in local content, strong media institutions, and the credibility needed to influence global discourse. 

Reimagining education

“If we are going to create a new education system that is adapted to the African context, creativity has to be the foundation”.

Crucially, narrative change must be supported by an education system that is values-based and aligned to the African context. Debating the roots of current systems, one group concluded that poor leadership was to blame, with education often shaped by external funders rather than local needs. Their vision calls for leaders who can break this dependency, recognising that “Africa has the talent and resources to stand on its own” and having the courage and creativity to build its own capacity and financing. 

Mobilising youth

“Youth mobilisation is a movement of young people taking action to tackle societal issues to improve their lives and their communities.”

This group highlighted the growing power of youth-led action as a driver of sustainable and inclusive development. From climate activism to digital advocacy and grassroots initiatives, young people are already shaping change. The group saw power in this action being grounded in “the spirit of Ubuntu”, shared responsibility, constructive dialogue, and a renewed sense of ownership.

Supporting entrepreneurship

“Investors often prefer opportunities outside Africa driven by low purchasing power in some regions, concerns about political instability and security.”

Mobilising youth is also critical to driving entrepreneurship. Central to the vision of this group was the need to move beyond isolated efforts towards supportive ecosystems that are “easily accessible” and “provide tailored support, mentorship and guidance”. Key pathways include decentralisation, startup-friendly policies, and public–private partnerships to unlock opportunity and shape more enabling environments.

Shaping technology futures

“We need to make sure that we build the proper infrastructure such that we own our data”

This group explored how Africa can harness technology for inclusive development in the context of rapid AI advancement. They highlighted critical gaps including “lack of data infrastructure, fragmented systems and unequal access”. Despite these challenges, Africa’s potential lies in its resources and growing workforce as a foundation for innovation. Their vision calls for stronger governance, improved access, investment in skills, infrastructure, and data systems, and “technology that is culturally aware and relevant” so that Africa can own its technological future.

The power of the diaspora

“Effecting systemic change requires connected leadership that activates the Global Africa network across borders.”

As a final group reflected, leadership from and for the African continent is distributed across the world through the diaspora.  By mobilising this collective identity into a unified “rallying cry”, the diaspora plays a critical role in shifting narratives about the continent from deficit to opportunity. This shared agency enables new forms of cultural, economic, and social influence – strengthening representation, promoting African-led storytelling, and unlocking opportunities for inclusive growth and long-term impact.

From hope to action

A shared understanding of leadership emerged: one defined not by position but by practice. Scholars consistently returned to four core capabilities highlighted in CISL’s framework on leadership capabilities. Connected leadership means recognising the interdependencies between communities, economies, and the natural world, and building relationships that acknowledge our “network of mutuality”. Collective leadership harnesses networks and community, recognising “unity as a superpower.” Creative leadership enables the reimagining of systems from education to economic models, while courageous leadership sustains action despite uncertainty, including the willingness to take risks or fail.

Crucially, these mindsets are underpinned by practical capability: communication, digital and policy literacy, project management, negotiation, and financial skills. Scholars also highlighted the importance of data governance, AI literacy, civic engagement, and technical competence. Together, these form the foundations of agency – equipping individuals and groups not only to imagine change, but to deliver it, together and at scale.