KIGALI – Former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde is in Rwanda to attend the launch of the African Academy for Women in Political Leadership, a new initiative designed to equip aspiring women leaders with the skills and networks needed to shape Africa’s political future.
The academy was officially launched in Kigali on Monday, August 3, 2026, through a partnership involving the African School of Governance (ASG), the United Nations Development Programme, the African Union Commission, and the African Women Leaders Network.
The program aims to prepare women with political ambitions by providing leadership training, mentorship, and opportunities to build professional networks. Participants will undergo a structured curriculum featuring online learning, in-person sessions in Kigali, and peer-to-peer exchanges focused on governance and public leadership.
Speaking at the launch, Sahle-Work said the initiative is about more than helping women win political office.
She noted that its broader goal is to prepare women to become transformational leaders capable of strengthening institutions and driving meaningful change across the continent.
The former Ethiopian leader also emphasized the importance of women in leadership supporting one another, saying the academy would help create a lasting network where female leaders can exchange experiences, mentor one another, and collaborate beyond the training program.
The inaugural cohort consists of 40 women selected from more than 1,300 applicants across Africa. They will complete a four-week program combining virtual coursework with face-to-face training in Kigali.
Participants come from a wide range of backgrounds, including government institutions, political parties, African Union bodies, and civil society organizations.
Sahle-Work served as Ethiopia’s President from 2018 to 2024, becoming the country’s first female Head of State after being elected by Parliament.
Before assuming the presidency, she built an extensive diplomatic career, serving as Ethiopia’s ambassador to several countries and representing her nation in international organizations. She also served as Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi.
Since leaving office, Sahle-Work has remained active in promoting women’s leadership across Africa and currently serves as one of the honorary leaders of the African Women Leaders Network, championing greater female participation in political leadership and governance.
KIGALI TIMES