IGAD Leadership Academy (ILA) was established to facilitate the mentorship and provisioning of future leaders with the critical skillsets necessary to steer the course of a rapidly developing multi-cultural African society in the 21st century and beyond. Approved by the IGAD Heads of State and Government Summit in July 2022, ILA is anchored in African values and global best practices, with a commitment to fostering leadership that promotes peace, good governance, and regional integration.
The Academy, with support from the Government of Japan, invites applications for comprehensive, specialized leadership development training set to take place in three cohorts in 2025.
Are you a young visionary leader committed to driving positive change in the IGAD region?
Do you aspire to lead with integrity, innovation, and impact?
If your answers to these are positive, then this opportunity is for you!
Eligibility Requirements
ILA is committed to a fair and merit-based selection process.
The Training is open to Women and Youth from IGAD Member States (Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda) who meet the following criteria:
Age: 18-35 years
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in governance, leadership, or related fields
Language: The training will be conducted in English. Applicants must, therefore, be proficient in English
Demonstrated commitment to ethical leadership, regional cooperation, and development, with a strong interest in policy, good governance, and sustainable peace
Demonstrated commitment to making a positive impact in their communities, countries, and the IGAD region • Proven leadership experience with strong communication and problem-solving skills
Willingness to travel to Kenya for the period of training
Availability for engagement in ILA activities in the course of the year and future
Commitment to engage as an active member of the ILA Alumni Network, fostering collaboration and peer learning
Benefits
The training is an opportunity to:
Gain cutting-edge leadership skills rooted in African leadership philosophies and global best practices
Learn from the best leadership experts, policymakers, and mentors
Develop competencies and skills in good governance, peacebuilding, technology, genderresponsive leadership, and more • Be part of a strong network of future regional leaders and change-makers
Join ILA Alumni Network and benefit from peer-learning and collaboration to explore innovative solutions to common challenges
Interested candidates should submit:
A detailed CV (Maximum three pages)
A motivation letter (Maximum two pages or 1,000 words) outlining the following:
I. What inspires you to apply for this training, and how does this programme align with your leadership goals and vision?
II. Highlight past leadership roles/initiatives and the impact you have made in the community or country
III. A specific leadership-related challenge you would like to address in your country or the IGAD region
IV. How do you plan to use the knowledge gained at ILA to address the challenge in (iii) above or any other leadership-related challenges? •
Two recommendation letters from professional and/or academic referees
