Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva has described the newly launched African Academy for Women in Political Leadership as a long-overdue initiative that will help unlock the full potential of women leaders across the continent. He made the remarks during the reception dinner marking the launch of the academy, held in Kigali on Tuesday, August 5. Addressing participants, the Prime Minister said Africa has never lacked talented, courageous and visionary women leaders. Rather, he noted, the challenge has been ensuring that women have access to the opportunities, platforms and support needed to thrive. “Africa has no shortage of talented, courageous, and visionary women leaders. The challenge has never been a lack of ability or ambition; it has been ensuring that this talent is met with the opportunities, platforms, and support required to fully flourish. ALSO READ: New academy launched in Kigali to train Africa’s women leaders He added that the academy represents an important milestone for the continent. This is why the African Academy for Women in Political Leadership is not only an important platform for the change we need, but one that is long overdue. Reflecting on Rwanda's experience, Nsengiyumva said the country's progress demonstrates that meaningful inclusion of women in leadership contributes to national development. He noted that under President Paul Kagame's leadership, Rwanda has promoted women's participation across all sectors, not only as a matter of equality but also as a driver of national transformation. Today, women occupy 64 percent of seats in Rwanda's Parliament and nearly half of Cabinet positions. According to the Prime Minister, these gains have gone hand in hand with stronger institutions and improved governance. He pointed out that Rwanda is now among Africa's leading countries in anti-corruption performance and public integrity, adding that while women's leadership is not the sole explanation for these achievements, the country's experience shows a clear connection. When more women participate meaningfully in decision-making, our societies benefit from broader perspectives, stronger accountability and more responsive solutions, he said. Nsengiyumva also said the academy will build on the work of institutions such as the African School of Governance and the African Women Leaders Network by not only developing capable women leaders but also fostering lasting professional networks that will strengthen collaboration across the continent. He further commended the gathering of leaders, policymakers, practitioners and aspiring young women leaders from across Africa, saying the exchange of knowledge and experiences reflects the kind of leadership the academy seeks to promote. The spirit of this week, which is bringing leaders together not only to share knowledge but to learn from one another's experiences, is itself a powerful lesson in leadership and a reflection of what the Academy seeks to build: a community grounded in collaboration, mentorship and shared purpose, he said. This gives me every reason to be confident in the future we are building together. The African Academy for Women in Political Leadership was officially launched in Kigali on Monday, August 3, as a continental initiative aimed at preparing the next generation of women political leaders across Africa. The academy is a partnership between the African School of Governance (ASG), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN). It seeks to equip women leaders with the knowledge, skills, networks and mentorship needed to advance their leadership through structured learning programmes, peer-to-peer exchanges and leadership development initiatives.
