Empowering Africa’s Leaders: 2025 Strong Nations for Africa Programme Launched in Arusha

August 8, 2025

Front row:
• 4th from right: Mdm Mansura Mosi Kassim, Permanent Secretary, President's Office - Constitution, Legal Affairs, Public Service and Good Governance, Zanzibar
• 3rd from right: Mr Daniel Loiruck, Assistant Administrative Secretary Economy & Production Sector, Arusha Region
• 1st from left: Mr Ho Wei Jiang, Dean, Chandler Academy of Governance
• 2nd from right: Prof George Scott, Secretary General, African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM)

‍

ARUSHA (Tanzania), 8 August 2025 – The Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG), in partnership with the African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM), launched the 2025 edition of the Strong Nations for Africa Programme this week in Arusha, Tanzania.

Now in its third edition, the programme brought together 27 senior public sector leaders from nine countries across Northern, Eastern, and Southern Africa.

Designed as a platform for peer learning, knowledge exchange, and collaboration, the Strong Nations for Africa Programme enables leaders to discuss the continent’s shared challenges while exploring innovative strategies for building high performance governments and driving transformative change.

‍

“More than just a programme, it is a platform, a movement and a shared commitment to cultivating the leadership, institutions, and networks needed to drive lasting transformation across the continent,”

said Mr Ho Wei Jiang, Dean of the Chandler Academy of Governance, during his opening remarks.

‍

Connecting History, Foresight, and Strategy

The week began with a wide-ranging discussion on the foundations of strong and sustainable nations. Drawing lessons from history, participants reflected on the factors behind the rise and fall of nations, and how these insights can guide today’s leaders. Mr Kenneth Sim, Senior Consultant, CIG, encouraged participants to consider their roles as stewards of national progress.

‍

Mr Kenneth Sim (left) and Ms Zukiswa N Mqolomba (right) leading the participants in discussion

‍

Building on this foundation, subsequent sessions turned to the practical dimensions of public leadership. Topics ranged from strategic foresight and scenario-based planning to managing limited resources, prioritising policies, and strengthening public accountability. Participants were encouraged to adopt a long-term, systems-level perspective while remaining grounded in the immediate realities and needs of citizens.

Across discussions, one theme stood out: genuine public sector reform requires more than structural changes – it demands shifts in values, mindset, and organisational culture, starting from the top.

‍

Participants engage in lively discussion and active reflection, bringing diverse perspectives to the table as they explore how to apply key lessons within their national contexts

‍

From Dialogue to Action: Bringing Learning to Life

Beyond the classroom, participants gained firsthand insight into regional governance through a visit to the headquarters of the East African Community (EAC). This experiential component reinforced key concepts explored during the week, deepening understanding through direct engagement with institutions driving regional integration and policy coordination.

‍

Beyond the classroom: Learning Journey to the East African Community, highlighting regional models of public service learning and collaboration

‍

Looking Ahead

This segment in Arusha is the first of three phases in the 2025 Strong Nations for Africa Programme. Future phases will deepen peer collaboration and support leaders in translating learning into tangible impact for their nations.

‍

‍

‍

About the Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG)

The Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG) is a non-profit organisation that works with governments worldwide to build a strong and efficient public sector. We are a team of seasoned government practitioners grounded in real-world experience, focusing on the critical ‘how’ of governance in our partnerships with governments to strengthen institutions and systems, equip leaders, and share knowledge. Drawing on proven practices from Singapore and around the world, we tailor our solutions to each country’s unique needs – because context matters in governance. We are not affiliated with any national government or political party, and we do not represent any partisan or commercial interests. 

For more news and information, visit https://www.chandlerinstitute.org or follow CIG on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn @ChandlerINST

‍

‍

For media clarifications, please contact:

Chandler Institute of Governance
Email: communications@chandlerinstitute.org