The fifth edition of the Emerging Leaders Programme, organized by the Nkafu Policy Institute, had officially come to an end. The three-day event ended on Wednesday, September 9, in Yaounde, with a call for participants to translate their leadership training into tangible community impact.
The initiative, that convened 20 high-potential young leaders aged 18 to 35, selected from all 10 regions of Cameroon, aimed to equip the cohort with strategic tools in public policy, civic engagement, organizational management, and public speaking to actively contribute to national development.
Held under the theme “Vision. Action. Impact.”, the flagship program was designed to challenge participants’ assumptions and push them beyond their traditional comfort zones. Addressing the cohort at the closing ceremony, Dr. Denis Foretia, Co-Chair of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation, stressed that exposing young leaders to new ideas and connecting them with experienced policy practitioners is essential for shaping effective future governance.
National unity and lifelong professional networking formed central pillars of Dr. Foretia’s address. He encouraged the cohort to look past regional divides and view their peers as a enduring collaborative network capable of shaping Cameroon’s political and economic future. Reflecting on the long-term vision of the program, Foretia highlighted that building strong cross-regional relationships among young leaders today creates the foundation for unified and effective national governance in decades to come.
Program organizers emphasized that the curriculum was structured to enhance existing grassroots initiatives already led by the participants. Muriel Kinkoh, Research Associate at the Nkafu Policy Institute’s Peace and Security Division, noted that the modules covered core competencies including ethical leadership, institutional accountability, emotional intelligence, and advocacy. Practical application sessions were integrated throughout the program to ensure participants could immediately implement these strategies within their respective organizations.
Participants expressed strong determination to apply their newly acquired skills to solve pressing local challenges. Serge Angyiba Andigema, a public health scientist and founder of the Bisons’ Scholars Institute of Research and Mentoring, highlighted the transformative nature of the training and advocated for expanding future cohorts to reach a broader audience. Similarly, Grace Nanyongo Molua, founder of the ECOAID Association in the South West region, stated that she would leverage the training to advance sustainable waste management projects and empower youth in her local community.
The Emerging Leaders Programme operates as a core initiative under the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation, an organization established to catalyze Africa’s economic transformation through social entrepreneurship, science and technology innovation, public health advancement, and progressive economic policies. By partnering with local governments, civil society, and development organizations, the foundation works to expand opportunities for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders across the country.
As an independent African think tank, the Nkafu Policy Institute continues to advance research and policy recommendations focused on governance, democratic institutions, peace and security, and economic opportunity. Through programs like the Emerging Leaders initiative, the institute actively bridges the gap between policy formulation and grassroots execution, fostering a new generation of Cameroonian leaders equipped to build democratic, inclusive, and prosperous communities.
