Mission
Leaders of Africa mobilizes the power of rigorous inquiry and creative expression to advance equity, justice, and selfless leadership in Africa. We facilitate a supportive Pan-African community for collaboration that cultivates impactful and translatable research, amplifies diverse perspectives, and leverages creative audiovisual, graphic, and technological design.
In service of the mission, we support individuals and organizations achieve their goals for impact-oriented research, design, and engagement.

Data + Design for Development Program 2021
Our Approach
Connected Global Learning & Impact Solutions
Research & Learn
It begins with rigorous inquiry to assess need, explore best practices, and build knowledge
Create
It continues with designing programs, tech, and experiences with sustainable high-impact value
Engage
It involves powerful, creative, and inclusive local and global engagement and outreach
Impact
It persists with meaningful change that enhances equity, social justice, and leadership
LoA Organization
Leaders of Africa Institute
The mission of LoAI is to promote knowledge production and advocacy for the good. The Institute provides in-person and distance learning opportunities for students, practitioners, and academics. Professors with the Institute advise and guide Scholars and Fellows through advanced research and professional mentorship.
Research Lab
The mission of the Research Lab is to enable cutting-edge, people-centered and participatory research with sensitivity to resource constraints. The Research Lab features Research IRL (In Real Life), which allows individuals and organizations conduct research with a continental and global scope by promoting data integrity and transparency.
Tech Lab
The Tech Lab enables the creation of public and private technologies that deepen equity, social justice, and result in quality leadership. The Tech Lab has high ethical standards to ensure that tech developed benefits people and society. Many of the tech development comes from Institute Scholars and Fellows. The Tech Lab also supports entrepreneurial ventures.
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Media Lab
The Media Lab enables researchers, data analysts, and content creators to craft impactful original series, programs, and exhibits. The Media Lab also produces the original LoA educational content and manages events.
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Original Series
Leaders of Africa produces live and recorded content for educational purposes. LoA Presents is the umbrella for all live content, including Live Discussions, Hangouts, and Debates. Recorded shows include This Week and Inside Leaders of Africa.
What does the Mission & Pledge mean to you?



Innocent Chukwuma, on Leaders Voices, in 2017. Now late, Chukwuma as the Regional Director of the Ford Foundation (West Africa) embodied the spirit of LoA.
Our Mission
Leaders of Africa mobilizes the power of rigorous inquiry and creative expression to advance equity, justice, and selfless leadership in Africa. We facilitate a supportive Pan-African community for collaboration that cultivates impactful and translatable research, amplifies diverse perspectives, and leverages creative audiovisual, graphic, and technological design.
Vision
Leaders of Africa believes in a world where knowledge creation and creative expression contribute to breaking barriers to equity and justice.
What does it mean to you?


Our Mission
Leaders of Africa mobilizes the power of rigorous inquiry and creative expression to advance equity, justice, and selfless leadership in Africa. We facilitate a supportive Pan-African community for collaboration that cultivates impactful and translatable research, amplifies diverse perspectives, and leverages creative audiovisual, graphic, and technological design.

Vision
Leaders of Africa believes in a world where knowledge creation and creative expression contribute to breaking barriers to equity and justice.
What does it mean to you?


The Dictionary
Rigorous Inquiry
Noun. Inquiry is the act of exploration and conducting insightful research. Rigor involves pursuing knowledge and truth with a measured and sound methodological approach.
Creative Expression
Noun or Adjective. Creative expression may be in text, audio, visual, and technical artifacts. Often creative pursuits hold up a mirror to humanity and cause us to reflect on our present condition and contemplate the future. At LoA, we produce original and creative content that adds depth to our understanding and perspective.
Pan-African Community
Noun. We are at our best when we are supportive and collaborate together. A central feature of LoA is the facilitation of relationships and collaborations across the continent and globe. It is supportive because we are all work together for the same ends: a more just and equitable world.
Selfless Leadership
Noun or Adjective. There are many organizations and institutes that talk about cultivating leadership. Seldom do they define "good" leadership. We believe that good leadership is giving. It is not world enriching, but rather life giving. It focuses on what is beneficial to all.
Translatable Research
Noun. Sometimes research is read by researchers and professionals only. We seek to design and conduct research that will be impactful and share it widely with those that could benefit the most. The purpose is to put knowledge in peoples' hands in a language and a way that is understandable and that motivates action.
Diverse Perspectives
Noun. Often we hear the voices of the same people. LoA works to amplify uncommon, but important voices in continental and global conversations. We do this through our programs and educational efforts to ensure that people are given the tools to share their voices confidently and prudently.
Creative Design
Noun. Often we hear the voices of the same people. LoA works to amplify uncommon, but important voices in continental and global conversations. We do this through our programs and educational efforts to ensure that people are given the tools to share their voices confidently and prudently.
The Dictionary
Rigorous Inquiry
Noun. Inquiry is the act of exploration and conducting insightful research. Rigor involves pursuing knowledge and truth with a measured and sound methodological approach.
Creative Expression
Noun or Adjective. Creative expression may be in text, audio, visual, and technical artifacts. Often creative pursuits hold up a mirror to humanity and cause us to reflect on our present condition and contemplate the future. At LoA, we produce original and creative content that adds depth to our understanding and perspective.
Pan-African Community
Noun. We are at our best when we are supportive and collaborate together. A central feature of LoA is the facilitation of relationships and collaborations across the continent and globe. It is supportive because we are all work together for the same ends: a more just and equitable world.
Selfless Leadership
Noun or Adjective. There are many organizations and institutes that talk about cultivating leadership. Seldom do they define "good" leadership. We believe that good leadership is giving. It is not world enriching, but rather life giving. It focuses on what is beneficial to all.
Translatable Research
Noun. Sometimes research is read by researchers and professionals only. We seek to design and conduct research that will be impactful and share it widely with those that could benefit the most. The purpose is to put knowledge in peoples' hands in a language and a way that is understandable and that motivates action.
Diverse Perspectives
Noun. Often we hear the voices of the same people. LoA works to amplify uncommon, but important voices in continental and global conversations. We do this through our programs and educational efforts to ensure that people are given the tools to share their voices confidently and prudently.
Creative Design
Noun. Often we hear the voices of the same people. LoA works to amplify uncommon, but important voices in continental and global conversations. We do this through our programs and educational efforts to ensure that people are given the tools to share their voices confidently and prudently.