A few days ago, the IGAD Leadership Academy (ILA) concluded leadership development training for its third cohort, the final for the year 2025.

A total of 79 youth leaders from across the IGAD region were trained in the three cohorts, thanks to the collective effort of IGAD Secretariat, member states and development partners, particularly the Government of Japan. Successful training for the initial cohorts marked a major milestone in ILA’s mission to strengthen good governance, peacebuilding, and development across the region. The first cohort was trained in July in Mombasa, the second in September (Nairobi), and the third in October in Mombasa, Kenya.

A brainchild of IGAD Executive Secretary H.E. Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, the Leadership Academy was established in 2022 as a strategic intervention to nurture a new generation of visionary leaders equipped to drive transformation while promoting integration in the IGAD region.

A call to lead

Training for the first cohort was officially opened by His Excellency Dr Workneh, who challenged the young leaders to map out solutions that match both regional and global problems, emphasising the interconnected nature of contemporary challenges.

“This is not just a training. This is a call to lead. The IGAD region is rich in culture, talent, and opportunity, but it also faces challenges that require bold leadership and united action. You are the generation that will redefine what is possible,” he reminded participants.

Throughout all cohorts, ILA Director Dr Simon Nyambura reaffirmed the Academy’s belief in the power of young leaders to redefine the region’s future.

“Our mission is to develop leaders who reflect the aspirations of the people and genuinely serve their interests. Cohort One laid the foundation, Cohort Two built on it, and Cohort 3 has consolidated the momentum. Together, our alumni represent the beginning of a generational shift toward ethical and visionary leadership,” he remarked during the third cohort’s training.

The 79 trainees were selected from a pool of more than 3,000 applicants who had expressed interest in the ILA programme. The participants underwent a rigorous selection process targeting youth leaders from all IGAD member states.

The leadership development training is guided by the ILA Curriculum, which blends African leadership philosophies, such as Ubuntu and Ujamaa, with global best practices in inclusive governance, communication, and innovation.

The trainings were facilitated by leading experts from the region and beyond, including specialists from the IGAD Secretariat. They guided participants through practical and thought-provoking sessions to equip them with fresh perspectives and actionable tools to lead change in their communities.

Regional impact

Following the training, participants have embarked on a mentorship process designed to support them as they translate their leadership ideas into action. In the trainee-centred approach, each alumnus is paired with an experienced mentor of their choice for guidance. They will also join the ILA Alumni Association, a platform designed to foster continued peer learning and cross-border collaboration, transforming the bonds formed during training into enduring partnerships for regional impact.

The ILA trainings were a success thanks to its steadfast partners, including the Government of Japan and the Kenya School of Government, who renewed their commitment to continue supporting ILA to empower young men and women with leadership skills.

Speaking in Nairobi during the closing ceremony of Cohort Two training,  Japanese Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Matsuura Hiroshi commended the Academy for the ILA’s dedicated planning and execution of the trainings, noting that the initiative reflected the shared vision between Japan and IGAD.

Other ILA partners, including ambassadors and delegations from the embassies of the European Union, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Australia, Finland and France in Kenya, demonstrated their support for the Academy by attending the second cohort’s training in Nairobi. They lauded IGAD for the timely initiative to groom next-generation leaders.