By Senior Editor, China Africa News
KIGALI, 03,July 2026 — Africa is launching a new initiative on Monday aimed at strengthening the leadership capacity of women already serving in public office, bringing together 40 women political leaders from 28 countries across Africa and the Caribbean for the inaugural African Academy for Women in Political Leadership.
Hosted by the African School of Governance (ASG), the fully funded Academy is designed to equip ministers, speakers of parliament, members of parliament, senators, mayors and political party leaders with advanced skills in governance, legislation and public leadership.
The four-week programme combines virtual learning with a residential convening in Kigali and is being delivered through a partnership between the African School of Governance, the African Union, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) under the Africa Facility for Women in Political Leadership.
The launch comes at a time when women remain underrepresented in political leadership across much of Africa. While women’s representation in national legislatures has steadily improved, they continue to hold only about a quarter of parliamentary seats on average, with even fewer occupying the continent’s most senior political offices.
Organizers say the Academy is intended to help bridge that gap by investing in women who are already in leadership, strengthening their ability to govern effectively while creating a network of leaders who can support one another beyond the programme.
The inaugural cohort includes women serving as ministers, speakers of parliament, legislators, senators, mayors and political party leaders, reflecting the programme’s emphasis on practical leadership experience and peer learning.
Senior officials expected at the launch include Francis Gatare, President of the African School of Governance; Dr. Jide Okeke, Director of UNDP’s Regional Programme for Africa; African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Ambassador Bankole Adeoye; and Madame Bineta Diop, Co-Convener of the African Women Leaders Network.
The Academy forms part of a broader continental effort to expand women’s participation in political leadership and advance the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which identifies inclusive governance as a cornerstone of Africa’s long-term development.
Organizers hope the initiative will become a permanent platform for developing women leaders capable of shaping public policy, strengthening democratic institutions and inspiring more women to seek elected and appointed office across Africa and the Caribbean.
