By Emmanuel Afonne
No fewer than 4,500 women from 48 African countries and 12 non-African countries have participated in the fifth cohort leadership programme for young women.
The programme was titled the “5th Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability, and Professionalism (LEAP) Africa Leadership Accelerator Programme (LAP) for Young African Women.”
Mfon Etuk, Communications and Public Relations Senior Coordinator of the programme, disclosed this in a statement of Saturday in Abuja.
LEAP Africa is a non-profit organisation committed to strengthening Africa’s leadership pipeline by providing young people with opportunities that promote ethical leadership, entrepreneurship, employability, active citizenship, and health and wellbeing.
Etuk said that of the 4,500 women who registered for the programme, more than 1,500 successfully completed the free online learning phase.
The programme, which seeks to equip young African women with the knowledge, skills, networks and confidence to drive meaningful change, recorded participation from across the continent and beyond.
Etuk stated that 31 outstanding young women from Nigeria, Tanzania, Mozambique, Uganda, Mauritius, Kenya, Zambia, Cameroon, Namibia, Sierra Leone and Malawi were selected to participate in a physical Boot Camp held in Nairobi, Kenya, following the online phase.
“The fifth cohort marked a significant milestone for LEAP Africa as it hosted the programme’s first-ever physical boot camp, bringing together emerging women leaders from different African countries for immersive learning, peer collaboration and networking.
“Developed and implemented by LEAP Africa, LAP was established to bridge the leadership gap among African women by developing their capacity to lead with purpose and contribute to sustainable development across the continent,” Etuk said.
Etuk quoted Kehinde Ayeni, Executive Director of LEAP Africa, as saying that investing in young African women was critical to the continent’s future.
“The Leadership Accelerator Programme was created to intentionally bridge the leadership gap among African women. We believe that investing in young women today is investing in Africa’s future.”
According to Ayeni, the programme seeks to build a community of women equipped to influence policies, transform institutions, strengthen communities and lead with courage, competence and integrity.
“The Nairobi Boot Camp featured keynote sessions, panel discussions, experiential learning, peer collaboration and case study presentations facilitated by industry experts and accomplished women leaders from across Africa.
“Participants were exposed to topics including transformational leadership, personal branding and executive presence, financial intelligence, the failure advantage and male allyship,” Ayeni said.
Amabelle Nwakanma, Director of Programmes and Partnerships at LEAP Africa, was also quoted as saying that the participation figures demonstrated the need for continued investment in young African women.
“Reaching the fifth cohort of the Leadership Accelerator Programme speaks to what is possible when we intentionally invest in young African women.
“Every cohort reminds us that Africa is rich with brilliant women who simply need the right opportunities, networks and support systems to thrive,” Nwaknma said.
Nwakanma added that the Nairobi Boot Camp reflected LEAP Africa’s commitment to building a pan-African leadership movement capable of connecting and empowering women across borders.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
=======
Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo