The African School of Governance (ASG), a new institution dedicated to redefining leadership and governance across Africa, has opened doors for recruitment of staff and admission for students, following its launch on Tuesday, January 14. The school is co-founded by President Paul Kagame and the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn.

The institution, the first of its kind in Africa, prides itself in empowering the next generation of African leaders and innovators, is expected to be hosted at the former Rwanda Development Board (RDB) building in Gishushu, Kigali. It will be the

Hailemariam said its opening marks a defining moment in Africa’s commitment to leadership excellence.

"By cultivating a new generation of leaders and policy research innovators across all sectors, ASG is creating a foundation for transformative governance that is ethical, innovative, and rooted in Africa’s realities,” he noted, adding that the pioneering institution will play a pivotal role in shaping the continent’s future by empowering individuals to drive systemic development and lasting change.

The school’s launch took place at the Kigali Convention Center, attended by several cabinet members, policymakers, academics, and stakeholders from across Africa and beyond.

ASG focuses on addressing Africa’s pressing governance challenges through ethical leadership development, evidence-based policymaking, and impactful research.

The launch event featured a high-level panel discussion on the role of public policy education in Africa’s growth and transformation, drawing from the panel’s extensive experience in academia,

international organisations, government, and the private sector.

Dr Peter Materu, Chief Programme Officer at Mastercard Foundation, in a speech at the event, said the ASG is embedded in the Mastercard Foundation Young Africa Works Strategy which aims to enable 30 million young Africans, 70 per cent of whom are women, to access dignified and fulfilling work opportunities by 2030.

A key aspect of the launch is the commencement of ASG’s first student recruitment drive which aims to attract a diverse group of talented individuals from across the African continent, including under-represented communities, with a target of enrolling over 100 fresh undergraduates and professionals from different sectors.

Prospective students will be drawn to ASG’s unique curriculum that blends global academic standards with African insights and case studies. The ASG is committed to empowering its students with the skills, knowledge, and values needed to confront Africa’s complex governance challenges and create lasting change.

Through its emphasis on practical, real-world applications, the ASG seeks to produce purpose-driven leaders with the right mindset, who can innovate, drive policy reforms, lay the foundation for transformative governance, and shape sustainable development in Africa.

The ASG’s vision is not only to deliver world-class education but also to actively contribute to the transformation of public policy and governance practices across Africa.

The institution aims to become a hub for research and policy development, fostering partnerships with governments, the private sector, and academic institutions across the continent and beyond.

It anticipates producing 1,000 graduates within the first five years who will be well-equipped to assume leadership roles in various sectors, contributing to the realisation of Africa’s sustainable development goals (SDGs).

"The grand launch and the opening of student recruitment for our inaugural cohort are not just

milestones but a call to action for all who share in the belief of Africa’s boundless potential” said

Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, President of ASG.

ASG’s commitment to innovation and inclusion extends to its excellent learning environment,

where students will engage with diverse perspectives and gain proficiency in an additional African Union language.

The institution also aims to foster a collaborative ecosystem that bridges academia, public policy, and private sector engagement to drive evidence-based policy solutions and initiatives for Africa’s future.

Participants in the high-level panel included Hailemariam Desalegn, Dr Donald Kaberuka, former President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), and Professor Kingsley Moghalu, President of ASG. Others were Dr Agnes Kalibata, President of the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Professor Hajer Gueldich, Legal Counsel of the African Union, and Dr. Acha Leke, Senior Partner and Chairman of McKinsey Africa.