About us

Africa is rich in young leaders...

...but young people remain largely excluded from leadership roles.

The gap in diverse, inclusive and equitable leadership leads to stagnation in creativity, policy innovation and governance in Africa.

Africa’s rapidly growing and youthful populations offer long-term opportunities for African leadership, both at home and around the globe.

Despite the work of many African and global youth leadership programs, emerging leaders face staggering challenges to reach or stay in leadership roles.

This is why Yetu exists.

Leadership Lab Yetu (Yetu) is a pan-African hub championing intergenerational leadership. We connect emerging and experienced leaders to imagine, build, and implement lasting solutions to Africa’s distinct challenges.

We convene African leaders of various ages to encourage the representation of Africa’s changing demographics in leadership. We are dedicated to diversifying African leadership by offering support to emerging leaders and ensuring that experienced leaders pass on their wisdom to the next generation. We have chosen to name our initiative Leadership Lab Yetu—or simply Yetu which means “ours” in Swahili. The name reflects our vision: a vibrant, inclusive space where Africans across generations collaborate to shape the future of leadership for a more prosperous Africa.

How we are shaping African leadership

Imagine an Africa that is a beacon for intergenerational leadership. Leaders who share wisdom, experience, and expertise with each other to benefit everyone. To achieve this, Yetu takes a multi-faceted approach:

Leadership Development

Our flagship Intergenerational Leadership Accelerator connects cross-generational leaders and supports the co-creation of innovative, robust policy solutions.

Research & Foresight

Yetu is a hub for ideas and fresh thinking. We publish informed research, sparking dialogue on Africa’s development and the state of leadership.

Advocacy & Ecosystem building

We regularly convene thought leaders through a range of issue-based online and in-person events.

Our leadership

We are led by a dynamic and diverse group of leaders who bring a wealth of experience, deep expertise, and a shared commitment to impact. Spanning sectors, generations, and geographies, they offer strategic insight, lived wisdom, and bold vision to guide our mission forward.