Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (AFLEX) – On February 14, 2025, Mr. Zadig Abreha, President of the African Leadership Excellence Academy (AFLEX), held a high-level discussion with His Excellency A. Selverajah, Singapore’s Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the African Union (AU).
The meeting underscored the shared commitment of Ethiopia and Singapore to collaborate in nurturing the next generation of African leaders through strategic partnerships in leadership development.
This discussion builds on the productive dialogue initiated during Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s official visit to Singapore, where both nations explored avenues for strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in education and leadership development.
The engagement reflects the growing synergy between AFLEX and Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, two institutions at the forefront of shaping future leaders.
Ambassador Selverajah’s meeting with Mr. Zadig coincided with his participation in the African Union meeting, highlighting Singapore’s increasing interest in deepening its engagement with Africa.
This collaboration aligns with Singapore’s vision to contribute to Africa’s development, particularly in the critical area of leadership capacity-building.
The discussions focused on enhancing the African Leadership Development Program, a flagship initiative under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between AFLEX and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.
Both parties explored innovative ways to expand the program’s impact, ensuring it equips African leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to address the continent’s evolving challenges.
Mr. Zadig Abreha emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “The collaboration between AFLEX and Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy is a testament to the power of international cooperation in advancing African leadership. Together, we are laying the foundation for a brighter future for the continent.”
Ambassador Selverajah echoed this sentiment, noting, “Singapore is committed to supporting Africa’s development journey. By investing in leadership development, we are not only empowering individuals but also contributing to the sustainable growth and prosperity of the continent.”
Following productive deliberations, it was agreed that AFLEX will submit a detailed proposal to the Singapore Embassy for a Short-Term Leadership Development Program.
This program will be designed to equip African leaders with cutting-edge skills and knowledge, drawing on Singapore’s globally recognized expertise in public policy, governance, and leadership training.
In addition, the discussion highlighted plans for capacity-building training for AFLEX staff and management in Singapore. This initiative aims to strengthen the institutional capabilities of AFLEX, ensuring it remains at the forefront of leadership development in Africa.
The training will focus on enhancing organizational efficiency, program delivery, and strategic leadership, further solidifying AFLEX’s role as a premier institution for nurturing Africa’s future leaders.
The meeting reaffirmed the long-term vision of both institutions to create a transformative impact on African leadership. By leveraging Singapore’s expertise in public policy and governance, AFLEX aims to strengthen its capacity to deliver world-class leadership training programs tailored to Africa’s unique context.
This partnership represents a significant step forward in fostering a new generation of African leaders equipped to drive innovation, governance, and sustainable development across the continent.
