The Rwanda Academy for Leadership in Competitiveness and Prosperity (ALCP) over the weekend graduated 44 students who had successfully completed a highly sought-after leadership  programme. 

ALCP, an initiative under the On the Frontier (OTF) Group Rwanda is a programme aiming at equipping young Rwandan professionals with the tools to be effective leaders in the public and private sectors.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony at RDB (Rwanda Development Board) premises, Michael Brennan, Rwanda Project Director, OTF Group, said the graduates of ALCP although in different career paths have gained a common set of skills that would enable them to work effectively together to bring about change in their communities.

"This initiative was an idea of Infrastructure Minister, Vincent Karega several years ago when he served in the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry.

"The academy is propelling its graduates to contribute more and better to Rwanda’s growth”.

He added that the students were selected through a rigorous process of interviews because so many people had applied for it since it is free of charge.

Brennan urged students to be responsible, do what they believe they can do and always stay focused in their leadership.

John Gara the CEO of RDB while officiating at ceremony urged graduates to first understand the situation in Rwanda so that they can think innovatively.

"You should have informed ideas; that is when you will be able to make informed decisions and it is very important for leaders to make such decisions,” he advised.

He called upon students not to hesitate to take certain risks as a way of showing that they are leaders.

One of the graduates, Ghislain Nkeramugaba, said that they had been exposed to challenges that countries like Rwanda have to deal with.

"We were not only exposed to those challenges but we were told that it was our duty and responsibility to address them,” he said.

The ALCP programme was officially launched in 2007 with an initial intake of thirty students. Three years down the line, through eight successive classes; the initiative has already trained 270 young Rwandan professionals, inculcating them with the tools to become effective leaders.

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