The African School of Governance (ASG) officially opened last week in Kigali, Rwanda, ahead of the recruitment of its inaugural 2025/26 cohort.
The opening ceremony brought together leaders, policymakers, academics and
stakeholders from across the continent and beyond to celebrate the
establishment of ASG as a premier institution for governance.
Co-founded by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, ASG is a unique and transformative institution dedicated to developing a generation of ethical, entrepreneurial leaders equipped with the skills and mindsets needed to address challenges and drive socio-economic transformation on the African continent.
The school’s mission is to empower leaders to drive Africa’s sustainable development by providing innovative public policy education, cutting-edge research and a platform for policy engagement that fosters transformative governance tailored to the continent’s unique values and opportunities.
Speaking at the launch, Desalegn described the opening of the school as “a watershed moment in Africa’s commitment to leadership excellence.”
“By nurturing a new generation of leaders and policy research innovators across all sectors, ASG is building the foundation for ethical, innovative and transformative governance rooted in Africa’s realities,” Desalegn said.
He added: “This pioneering institution will play a pivotal role in shaping the continent’s future by empowering its students to champion systemic development and lasting change.”
Peter Materu, who delivered remarks on behalf of the Mastercard Foundation, said ASG aligns with the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy, which will enable 30 million young Africans – 70 percent of whom are women – to access dignified and fulfilling work opportunities by 2030.
A central highlight of the inauguration was the launch of ASG’s first student recruitment drive aimed at building a diverse talent pool from across the African continent, including underrepresented communities, to enroll over 100 postgraduate students and professionals from various sectors in the first year of its Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) programs.
Prospective students will be attracted to ASG’s unique curriculum, which blends global academic standards with Africa-specific knowledge and case studies.
ASG is committed to equipping its students with the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to tackle the complex governance challenges in Africa and create sustainable change.
With a focus on practical, real-world applications, ASG seeks to nurture entrepreneurial, solution-oriented leaders capable of driving policy innovation, leading policy reforms, laying the groundwork for transformative governance and shaping sustainable development in Africa.
ASG’s ambition is not only to provide world-class education but also to actively contribute to the transformation of public policy and governance practices in Africa.
The institution is set to become a hub for research and policy development, fostering partnerships with governments, the private sector, and academic institutions across the
continent and beyond.
ASG plans to graduate 2,000 alumni in the first five years, all equipped to take on leadership roles in various sectors, contributing to the achievement of Africa’s Sustainable Development Goals.
“The inauguration and launch of student recruitment for our inaugural cohort is not just a milestone, but a call to action for all who share the belief in Africa’s limitless potential,” says Kingsley Moghalu, President of ASG.
ASG’s commitment to innovation and inclusion extends to its exceptional learning environment, where students will be exposed to diverse perspectives and gain proficiency in an additional African Union language.
The institution also aims to foster a collaborative ecosystem that connects academia, public policy, and the private sector to promote evidence-based solutions and policy initiatives for Africa’s future.
TE/lb/jn/APA