By Antynet Ford
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame hosted Professor Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu, the President of the African School of Governance (ASG), at Urugwiro Village in Kigali.
The meeting underscored President Kagame’s commitment to fostering transformative governance and leadership across the continent, both as Co-Founder of ASG and as President of Rwanda, Host Country of ASG.
The African School of Governance, unveiled in October 2024 and based in Kigali, aims to equip emerging African leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop the continent.
The institution will offer graduate programs in policy, research, governance, leadership, and management, designed to nurture the next generation of visionary African leaders.
President Kagame highlighted the importance of ASG, noting that the institution will “carry the aspirations of the African continent.”
The Rwandan leader recalled that ASG was conceived because, although several initiatives to develop the African continent rapidly have resulted in some results, the tangible outcomes from these initiatives have been inadequate relative to the pace of change needed.
ASG was founded in the expectation that, through its teaching, research, and advocacy, “something convincing, that would change the lives of Africans in reality, will emerge”.
He believed this missing link lay in a mindset shift amongst Africans about their identity and confidence in a competitive world coupled with a capacity for effective governance in African countries based on knowledge and skills to turn good intentions into concrete reality.
The ASG’s mission is to provide this missing link.
Moghalu briefed Kagame on the accreditation process for ASG, now virtually complete and a decision expected shortly, recruitment of faculty and academic support staff, plans for pan-African student recruitment from across all African countries, a planned “Grand Launch” of ASG in January 2025 ahead of the targeted opening of the institution’s doors to full-time and executive Master of Public Administration (MPA) students in September 2025, and resource mobilization plans for the university.
“It is an honor to have had an audience with the Rwandan President and Co-founder of the African School of Governance Paul Kagame this afternoon. I deeply appreciate his vision and support for the school and his commitment to Africa’s progress and transformation.” Moghalu said after the meeting with the Rwandan leader, expressing gratitude for President Kagame’s strong support.
The African School of Governance is poised to become a pivotal institution in addressing Africa’s leadership and governance challenges, fostering good governance, and advancing sustainable development.