{"id":4327,"date":"2024-11-23T14:23:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-23T12:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theacbf.org\/?post_type=news&p=4327"},"modified":"2026-06-22T12:41:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T10:41:20","slug":"ubora-academy-advances-leadership-and-capacity-development-across-africa","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/theacbf.org\/fr\/news\/ubora-academy-advances-leadership-and-capacity-development-across-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"Ubora Academy Advances Leadership and Capacity Development Across Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Academy equips African professionals with leadership, governance, and innovation skills that strengthen institutions and advance sustainable development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) has launched the Ubora Academy, a continental learning and knowledge-sharing platform designed to equip professionals across Africa with the capabilities required to lead institutional transformation and accelerate sustainable development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introduced during the 33rd Annual Meeting of the ACBF Board of Governors Abidjan, C\u00f4te d’Ivoire, in October 2024, the Academy expands ACBF’s long-standing commitment to strengthening leadership, governance, and public sector performance across the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The launch marks an important step in addressing the leadership and governance capacity needs that shape Africa’s development trajectory.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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As countries pursue ambitious economic, social, and institutional reforms, demand continues to grow for professionals who can guide change, strengthen institutions, and deliver results for citizens. Ubora Academy responds to that demand through a learning model that combines technical knowledge, leadership development, practical skills, and peer-to-peer learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Academy embraces the principle of Africa learning from Africa and creates opportunities for professionals to exchange experiences, explore solutions, and build lasting networks that support development across the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ubora Academy is Africa’s go-to learning and knowledge-sharing platform, offering courses, webinars, and educational resources across a range of topics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its mission is to equip professionals from the public, private, and civil society sectors with the skills needed to navigate Africa’s evolving political, economic, social, and cultural landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The platform offers both free and paid learning opportunities, and many courses provide certificates upon successful completion, supporting continuous professional development and lifelong learning.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Leadership for Africa’s Development Priorities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Leadership development sits at the heart of the Academy’s mandate. Ubora Academy prepares professionals to guide reforms, strengthen institutions, improve service delivery, and contribute to sustainable economic and social development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its programs address critical areas including governance, climate resilience, sustainability, crisis management, strategic leadership, and institutional effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hon. Adama Coulibaly, C\u00f4te d’Ivoire’s Minister of Finance and Budget, described the Academy as an important contribution to Africa’s development agenda and highlighted the value of linking professional development to continental priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Regarding particularly the trainings that are dispensed or that will be dispensed by the Ubora Academy, they have a specificity, it is simply because these trainings are articulated with the achievement of sustainable development objectives and the 2063 Agenda of the African Union. Beyond the training, they develop skills on non-technical issues, namely leadership, management, innovation, and strategic thinking.<\/p>\nHon. Adama Coulibaly<\/em><\/strong>
C\u00f4te d’Ivoire’s Minister of Finance and Budget<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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His remarks reflect the Academy’s focus on developing leaders who can connect technical expertise with the strategic capabilities required to guide institutions and drive long-term transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Academy supports the implementation of ACBF’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan and contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the launch, H.E. Josefa Sacko, African Union Commissioner, emphasized the importance of strong leadership and good governance in advancing sustainable development across the continent, reinforcing the central role that capacity development plays in achieving Africa’s long-term aspirations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Equipping Professionals for Impact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ubora Academy delivers programs that strengthen practical skills and professional competencies across sectors. Participants build expertise in leadership, management, communication, negotiation, problem-solving, innovation, strategic thinking, and data-informed decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These capabilities support institutional effectiveness and equip professionals to address increasingly complex challenges in governance and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A cornerstone of the Academy’s offering is the Leadership Excellence in Africa’s Public Sector (LEAPS) program. LEAPS develops current and emerging leaders who can guide reforms, strengthen public institutions, improve service delivery, and advance public sector performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The program contributes to the development of a strong leadership pipeline equipped to support effective governance across Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ACBF Executive Secretary Mamadou Biteye described the Academy as central to the Foundation’s vision for Africa’s future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At the African Capacity Building Foundation, our mission is to build the future where Africa’s professionals are fully equipped to navigate the socio-economic development challenges of the 21st century. The Ubora Academy is at the heart of this mission, empowering Africa’s future with first-class training.<\/p>\nMr <\/strong><\/em>Mamadou Biteye <\/em><\/strong>
ACBF Executive Secretary<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>

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He added that the Academy will nurture a new generation of leaders while advancing a governance agenda that supports growth, resilience, and transformation across the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Academy’s learning programs align closely with the broader transformation objectives of public- and private-sector institutions. Participants gain access to practical knowledge and skills that strengthen decision-making, support innovation, improve accountability, and contribute to citizen-centered public service delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Platform for African Knowledge and Learning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ubora Academy creates opportunities for professionals, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to exchange experiences and learn from successful approaches developed across Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The platform promotes collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning while supporting the development of networks that extend across sectors and national boundaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Academy’s emphasis on peer learning reflects a belief that African expertise and African experiences provide valuable insights for addressing the continent’s development challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through webinars, learning resources, professional courses, and collaborative exchanges, participants gain access to knowledge that strengthens institutional performance and contributes to sustainable development outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ubora Academy also fosters a culture of innovation and problem-solving that empowers professionals to identify opportunities, respond to emerging challenges, and develop practical solutions within their organizations and communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Access to high-quality learning resources and a strong commitment to knowledge sharing enhance the Academy’s contribution to capacity development across Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The platform serves as a community of practice where knowledge translates into action. Professionals connect with peers across the continent, exchange ideas, share experiences, and contribute to solutions that generate impact within institutions and communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strong Partnerships for Sustainable Capacity Development<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Strategic partnerships have played an important role in the establishment and growth of Ubora Academy. Support from Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management reflects a shared commitment to strengthening leadership, governance, and institutional capacity across Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Victoria Kwakwa, former World Bank Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, welcomed the initiative and praised ACBF’s continued investment in capacity development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I’d like to celebrate all that African Capacity Building Foundation has achieved in the recent past, particularly in the new innovations that you’ve brought to the work of building capacity amongst African policymakers and other African stakeholders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We appreciate, in particular, the efforts that you’re making to launch various academies that will bring training, knowledge, and capacity building for policymakers. We really are impressed with this effort.<\/p>\nVictoria Kwakwa<\/em><\/strong>
Former World Bank Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Biteye also acknowledged the contribution of ACBF’s partners to the Academy’s development. “I want to really attest to that and testify to that, that our Finnish partners have been there and listening to us, really going and supporting our vision.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Konsta Heikkil\u00e4, Chief Partnership Advisor at the HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management, highlighted the progress achieved through collaboration with ACBF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What we have achieved in the short two years, including launching the Ubora Academy and unveiling the multimedia studio here at the Harare office of the ACBF is truly remarkable. And this is just the beginning of our journey to benefit the continent and the citizens of this great continent.<\/p>\nKonsta Heikkil\u00e4<\/em><\/strong>
Chief Partnership Advisor at the HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>

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Expanding Access Through the Multimedia Studio<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ACBF strengthened the Academy’s learning ecosystem by launching the Ubora Academy Multimedia Studio in Harare, Zimbabwe, in November 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The facility enhances the production of digital learning content, supports the sharing of African experiences and success stories, and expands opportunities for engagement with learners across the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The launch was officiated by Ambassador Rudo Mabel Chitiga, Permanent Secretary in Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Skills Audit and Development, who highlighted the importance of capacity development in advancing Africa’s development priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We hope that it spreads and that the impact will be felt as soon as possible at the Ubora Academy, and that it will grow not only in terms of numbers but also in the impact and influence it will have on learning and reskilling Africa.<\/p>\nAmbassador Rudo Mabel Chitiga<\/em><\/strong>
Permanent Secretary in Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Skills Audit and Development<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The studio also reflects ACBF’s commitment to collaboration and knowledge exchange. The facility is available to partners and provides a platform for producing content that supports learning and development objectives across sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It’s a creative engine that drives how we connect, educate, and influence across Africa and beyond. This is not just for us, but for our partners who are welcome to use it whenever needed.<\/p>\nFatou Diouf <\/em><\/strong>
ACBF’s Head of Communications and Influencing<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>

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Biteye stated that the facility reflects ACBF’s commitment to ensuring that knowledge, expertise, and learning resources reach professionals throughout Africa. He noted that the studio was created to support a broad community of learners, practitioners, and institutions working to advance the continent’s development agenda. “It’s at the service of the continent.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Investing in Africa’s Future Leaders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ubora Academy brings together leadership development, professional learning, knowledge exchange, and innovation within a single platform dedicated to Africa’s development priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Through accessible courses, expert-led webinars, professional certifications, and collaborative learning opportunities, the Academy equips professionals with the skills required to strengthen institutions, improve governance, and deliver meaningful results for citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Academy represents an investment in people, institutions, and ideas. It creates opportunities for professionals to expand their capabilities, connect with peers, and contribute to solutions that advance Africa’s development agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The name Ubora<\/em> comes from the Swahili language and represents excellence, collaboration, inclusion, and transformation. The concept reflects a commitment to bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to share knowledge, learn from one another, and contribute to positive change across Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guided by the values of excellence, collaboration, inclusion, and transformation, Ubora Academy is building a community of leaders equipped to shape the continent’s future and support sustainable development for generations to come.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"featured_media":4249,"template":"","class_list":["post-4327","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theacbf.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/4327","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theacbf.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theacbf.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theacbf.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4327"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}