African Leadership – The Time is Now

14-15 April 2026 • NH Johannesburg Sandton (Online option available)

The world is caught in a vortex of change and volatility, driven by geopolitical tensions and wars, the impact of AI and digitisation on work and employment, ecological crises, and unprecedented inequality. At the same time, today’s dominant leadership philosophies and practices often prove unfit for the challenges of our era.

Against this backdrop, Africa stands at a decisive threshold. The continent’s vast potential in human capital, natural resources, cultural diversity, and ecological richness cannot be overstated. Unlocking this potential could have a profoundly positive global impact.

Yet for decades, external prescriptions have been imposed on Africa as though it were an empty vessel. Managerial formulas, governance blueprints, and development templates have been imported with confidence, but too often they have failed to take root in African soil. Meanwhile, home-grown philosophies rich with leadership wisdom such as Ubuntu, Ma’at, Sankofa, and Ujamaa have been celebrated in rhetoric more than in practice. They have evolved as ideas but remain rarely institutionalised. These philosophies do not reject modernity; rather, they invite a deeper and more humane examination of its principles.

The objective is not to replicate global models but to cultivate locally rooted, globally resonant forms of leadership and development.

This two-day leadership conference is grounded in African consciousness, representing a profound shift in thinking for the twenty-first century. It reimagines the very concepts of power, purpose, and progress through an authentically African lens.

Conference Themes and Discussions

This hybrid event will explore, among others:

African Perspectives on Leadership: The Me–We–Us Model, leading with heart, and lessons in humane leadership

Regenerative Leadership: Leadership for a new African Renaissance

From Liberation Movements to Boardrooms: Strategic leadership insights

Rediscovering Traditional Philosophies: Ubuntu Intelligence, Ma’at, Ujamaa, and Sankofa

Practical Approaches to Afrocentric Leadership Thinking

The Appropriateness of Collective Decision-Making: The Letsama process

The Art of Storytelling: The “secret ingredient” to landing a leader’s message

Who Should Attend

Leaders from corporates, government, NGOs, and academic institutions

Academics and researchers in leadership and African studies

Leadership development specialists, including business and university faculty members

Leadership and executive coaches

Registration Fees

Registration fees exclude VAT. Includes speaker slides of the conference

Corporate and Government Delegates
In-Person: R9 500.00 (USD 650.00)
Online: R7 500.00 (USD 450.00)

Academics, NGOs, SMEs
In-Person: R7 000.00 (USD 425.00)
Online: R5 000.00 (USD 300.00)

Groups of four or more qualify for a 20% discount.

Programme Overview