Kingsley Moghalu: The African School of Governance a Catalyst for Transforming Governance in Africa

By: Mohsen Mahmoud

At the meeting organized by the African School of Governance (ASG) in Cairo on April 30, 2025, Kingsley Moghalu, President of ASG, shared his vision on the crucial role of governance and technology in Africa’s development. In an exclusive interview, he discussed the challenges facing the continent, the importance of education in shaping a new generation of leaders, and how ASG is positioning itself to transform Africa into a major global player. Discover his thoughts on the future of governance in Africa and the skills required to tackle current challenges.

Q: Mr. Moghalu, you are the President of the African School of Governance (ASG), an academic institution founded by key figures such as President Paul Kagame and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. Could you tell us about the vision behind the creation of ASG and its role in developing governance in Africa?

Kingsley Moghalu: ASG was created with a clear vision: to solve the governance challenges that limit the sustainable development of our continent. We know that Africa has enormous potential, but to fully realize it, we need to strengthen the capabilities of our leaders and institutions. ASG positions itself as a catalyst for this transformation by training leaders capable of improving governance and implementing effective public policies. This initiative fits into a context where countries like Egypt, for example, urgently need innovative solutions in governance and development. We must therefore teach the proper management of resources and efficiency in decision-making.

Q: You mentioned the importance of technology in Africa’s development. Why do you believe that Africa has a particular advantage in this field, and how does ASG fit into this technological dynamic?

Kingsley Moghalu: Technology is indeed the key element in the modern world. Africa has a rich scientific and technological heritage, with exceptional natural resources and a youth increasingly focused on innovation. We have the advantage of vast local talent pools, as well as African scientists in the diaspora who contribute to significant advancements. This is why ASG integrates technology into its programs. We offer courses focused on science, technology, and innovation, along with a research center dedicated to technological governance. Our goal is to train tomorrow’s leaders who not only understand technology but use it to improve productivity and resource management. We want to prepare leaders capable of navigating the digital economy and strengthening governance through technological tools.

Q: You mentioned that Technology is not merely consumed in Africa, it is a means to create wealth and productivity. Can you explain further how this vision goes beyond simply adopting technology?

Kingsley Moghalu: Exactly. Africa must not just consume technology but also become a producer and innovator. If we don’t shift to production, we risk remaining in a consumer role, dependent on other continents. To achieve this, we need to encourage our youth to create technological solutions that address our own needs, whether in agriculture, healthcare, education, or even governance. This involves not only training technology specialists but also rethinking our economic structures to allow local innovation to flourish. At ASG, we train leaders who will use technology to transform our economies and societies.

Q: You also spoke about the need to manage population growth to accelerate economic development in Africa. How does ASG approach this challenge?

Kingsley Moghalu: The population issue is critical. Africa is experiencing rapid demographic growth, but for this growth to be beneficial, it must be accompanied by faster economic growth. In Asia, for example, managing population and economic development has been a key factor in their success. We too must invest in education and infrastructure to ensure that our youth have the best opportunities. ASG prepares its students to understand demographic dynamics and formulate public policies that address these challenges while creating an environment conducive to economic growth.

Q: You emphasized the importance of education and training in the emergence of a new class of African leaders. What role does ASG play in this transformation?

Kingsley Moghalu: Education is the primary tool for transforming the continent. At ASG, we don’t just teach theories. We train practitioners who can make effective decisions and implement concrete public policies. Our Master of Public Administration (MPA) program aims to give our students the necessary skills to govern effectively. The idea is not just to know what to do but to know how to do it in an African context. We teach our students to solve problems pragmatically, based on our local realities, leveraging available resources, and drawing on concrete examples from different African countries.

Q: You are deeply involved in training leaders in Africa. What qualities do you believe an African leader must possess to navigate the current challenges facing the continent?

Kingsley Moghalu: An African leader must first and foremost have a clear vision of what they want to achieve for their country and the continent. They must be able to understand global issues while staying grounded in local realities. They must be an innovator, able to think differently and propose new solutions to old problems. And above all, they must be an executor, not just a theorist. This is why ASG emphasizes the execution of public policies, as this is often where Africa faces difficulties. Our leaders must be able to implement concrete policies, follow through on their execution, and adjust their approach when necessary.

Q: Finally, what message would you like to send to young Africans considering joining ASG and contributing to the transformation of our continent?

Kingsley Moghalu: I would tell them not to wait. Africa’s future belongs to those who prepare today. ASG is here to offer you the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to be leaders who will make a real difference. We believe in your potential and offer you an environment where you can learn, grow, and most importantly, act to transform Africa’s future. Join us and be the change-makers you want to see on the continent.

KINGSLEY MOGHALU

Professor Kingsley Moghalu, a globally recognized leader in governance, public policy and economic transformation, is the inaugural President of the African School of Governance (ASG), a pan-African, graduate-level public policy university that aims to shape governance solutions for Africa’s needs in the 21st century.

He was previously Professor of Practice in International Business and Public Policy at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, Oxford Martin Visiting Fellow at the University of Oxford, and earlier served as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Prior, Prof. Moghalu had a 17-year career in the United Nations System, with strategic planning, legal and external affairs roles at duty stations in New York, Cambodia, Croatia, Tanzania, and Switzerland, rising to the highest career bracket of Director. He later founded Sogato Strategies, a risk and strategy advisory firm in Geneva, Switzerland and in Washington DC, as well as the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation (IGET), a public policy think tank. Kingsley Moghalu has also served as Special Envoy of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) on Post-Covid19 Development Finance for Africa, and as a member of other international blue-ribbon commissions and panels.

Prof. Moghalu obtained a Ph.D. in International Relations at the London School of Economics, an M.A. at The Fletcher School at Tufts University, the LL.B. degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the International Certificate in Risk Management from the UK Institute of Risk Management (IRM) in London. . He is an executive education alumnus of Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School, Wharton, Columbia University Business School, Chicago Booth Business School, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Institute, and IMD.

He also is the author of several books including the critically acclaimed Emerging Africa, and opinion commentaries in numerous journals and global media including the UK  Financial Times, Washington Post, South China Morning Post, Yale Global, USA Today, and International Herald Tribune (now the International New York Times). Professor Moghalu is a frequent interview guest and commentator on CNN Television, BBC World TV, China Global Television Network, CNBC, and other global media.

Kingsley Moghalu holds several honors and distinctions including the Nigerian National Honor of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) conferred by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2012, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (FCIB), and the degree of Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) Honoris Causa conferred by Anambra State University in Nigeria. He also holds the traditional title of Ifekaego  Nnewi conferred by the Igwe of Nnewi Kingdom, Dr. K.O.N. Orizu. Prof. Moghalu is the Founder of the Isaac Moghalu Foundation, a charity established in memory of his late father Isaac Moghalu, one of Nigeria’s Foreign Service Officers in the 1960s.

Kingsley Moghalu was a candidate for the office of President of Nigeria in the country’s general elections in 2019. He is married to Maryanne Moghalu and they have 5 children.