LéO Africa Institute

06/11/2025

We are delighted to announce the 6th Annual Leaders Gathering 2025: "Building Together for Impact – Inspiring Excellence Through Transformative Leadership."

Building on five years of impactful convenings, this year’s gathering unites fellows, partners, and distinguished guests to catalyze collaborative, ethical, results-driven leadership for Africa's bold future.

We are bringing together an exceptional community of leaders driving change, creating opportunities, and generating impact across their communities, drawing from over 200 LéO Africa fellows and the thousands of emerging leaders within our expansive network.

🗓️Dec 13 | 🏨Four Points by Sheraton Kampala

24/09/2025

24/09/2025

Mohamed Alaa Eldin transformed doubt into impact—from entering the European Investment Bank in 2015 as the sole Egyptian, feeling the weight of representing his continent, to advancing sustainable finance in Egypt and beyond...

The audience absorbed his journey intently: At Egypt's Export Development Bank, he led projects such as eco-friendly cards made from plant-based materials and initiatives that tied financial inclusion to environmental goals.

His work has earned awards, including UNCTAD's Best Research Paper in Economy and Trade, the Misr El Kheir Award for Circular Economy Innovation, and the Egyptian Banking Institute Award for Sustainable Banking.

As UNCCD Youth Caucus MENA Focal Point and participant in COP27 & COP28, he urges: Enter those rooms, share your ideas, mentor the next generation. Finance shapes whose futures get funded. We are the ones: From echo to voice.

21/09/2025

Quite a thrill watching KingDavid Ayo-Loto tell his story! A multi-disciplinary talent from Nigeria, KingDavid is a true modern Griot, condensing knowledge both in song and speech, and capturing both the audience's intellect and emotions.

20/09/2025

From Awel Uwihanganye's inspiring personal story of storytelling, to Mohamed Alaa El Din's uniting tale of complex identity in a globalized world, to Naïssa Umutoni Karekezi, EMBA's touching story of embracing our unique nature as individuals, and Gabriel Karsan's rich legacy of inter-racial love and heritage, the have taken the stage, and are still keeping us on the edge of our seats ‼️

to the We Want.

17/09/2025

Shaping ideas, building networks of ethical and values-based leaders, empowering young people, and building positive narratives for Africa — a journey we have walked resiliently, and continue to do so, now with the Griot Fellowship of Storytellers.

to the We Want

16/09/2025

🥁🪘🎷🔔

After months of crafting 🎤powerful stories, we're excited to unveil the Griots Conference 2025!

Taking place on September 20, 2025, at Makerere University School of Public Health Auditorium, this event embraces the theme "We Are the Ones" – a tribute to empowering young African leaders to shape their own stories.

From inspiring fellowship workshops to gripping final pitches, our Griots Fellows' journey has been extraordinary! Join us to hear and celebrate their remarkable stories.

13/09/2025

Bridging Uganda's Digital Divide: LéO Africa Institute and UNDP Empower Youth for AI-Powered Future

https://leoafricainstitute.org/blog/as-the-sun-rose-over-the-vibrant-kampala-cityscape/

13/09/2025

📸 Highlights from UNDP Uganda & LéO Africa Institute's Youth Skilling Breakfast Dialogue at the National ICT Innovation Hub.

Theme: 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐀𝐈 & 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬

13/09/2025

Yesterday, United Nations Development Programme - UNDP Uganda & LéO Africa Institute hosted the Youth Skilling Breakfast Dialogue at the National ICT Innovation Hub.

LéO Africa Institute's Awel Uwihanganye kickstarted the event with heartfelt opening remarks, painting a vivid picture of the digital divide. He also implored the youth to take the lead because they are the shapers of the future.

“The older generation defined the time of now when they were your age; it is now upon you to harness AI and digital technologies to shape your destinies," He said.

11/08/2025

In the seminar, fellows engaged in a personal check-in, sharing their thoughts on a poem and discussing their experiences. This interactive session created a supportive environment where fellows shared both positive and negative experiences, fostering solidarity within the group.

The lead curator, Mpindi Abaas, and faculty member, Angelo Izama Page, emphasized the evolving craft of storytelling and its potential to shape perceptions about Africa.

encouraged fellows to embrace their narratives, while shared his experience in building a network of young journalists. His participatory exercises reinforced the theme of personal agency in storytelling, with participants reflecting on their roles in driving change within their communities.

The seminar effectively combined personal reflections with professional development, fostering a sense of community among the fellows.

11/08/2025

Over the weekend, the Institute held a virtual seminar for the Griots Fellows. The seminar focused on training fellows in effective storytelling, emphasizing the need to reshape narratives surrounding African identity.

Awel Uwihanganye highlighted the impact of historical injustices on current perceptions and stereotypes of African identity, and outlined three foundational pillars for the institute: storytelling and narrative shaping, creating platforms for African leaders, and building a community of ethical leaders.

He stressed the importance of storytelling in fostering connections and shaping identities, advocating for local platforms to facilitate global conversations about Africa.