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The African Leadership Academy – nurturing the minds of Africa’s future entrepreneurs | Tunde Folawiyo

Posted by Editor on December 17, 2013 in Africa, Tunde Folawiyo, tunde folawiyo africa, tunde folawiyo bio, tunde folawiyo executive, tunde folawiyo profile

Throughout the centuries, Africa has been ravaged by poverty, war and famine. These problems have been further exacerbated by a distinct lack of strong governance. Leadership is the key to the growth and development of this continent’s nations; this is something which the founder of the ALA, Fred Swaniker, realised very early on in his life. Through the establishment of the African Leadership Academy, he hopes to give Africa a brighter future, by cultivating the minds of talented, intelligent and capable young men and women. Tunde Folawiyo, a respected businessman, and member of the ALN (African Leadership Network) understands the importance of the work which Swaniker does, and has done his utmost to support this educational institute.

Tunde FolawiyoThis boarding school was created specifically for those who have demonstrated leadership abilities, and is considered to be one of the finest education institutes of its kind on the continent. Since it was first established over a decade ago, it has been visited by a number of internationally renowned public figures, including the First Lady, Michelle Obama. This programme itself is highly intensive, and provides students with the theoretical knowledge and the practical skills that they need to become entrepreneurs and leaders within their chosen fields.

It focuses on the issues which Africa is currently facing, as well as those which it has faced in the past, and prepares students for entry into the world’s top universities, including Cambridge, Stanford and Oxford. The school also encourages them to return to their homeland after graduation, in order to use their newly-acquired knowledge to further Africa’s economic and political progress.

With support from its Global Advisory Board, of which Tunde Folawiyo is a member, and investment from several organisations, the ALA has gone from strength to strength over the last few decades. The Cisco Scholars programme, a collaborative effort between Cisco and the ALA, has also been of great help. Over the past few years, its fund of $680,000 has enabled more than 16 scholars to attend this boarding school. All of these scholars come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and so would have found it considerably more difficult to rise above their circumstances, without the help of this scholarship.

The ALA’s chief operating officer, Chris Bradford, explained that the collaboration had come about, due to the common values which the academy and Cisco shared. Both organisations are concerned with education and innovation, and are committed to empowering young Africans, by providing them with the intellectual and financial support they need to become tomorrow’s leaders.

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Improving Africa’s economy through education | Tunde Folawiyo

Posted by Editor on December 11, 2013 in Uncategorized

Out of all of the world’s developing regions, Africa has the lowest rate of third level education. Moreover, only 12.5% of Africans who go on to study at university end up residing on the continent after graduation, with the majority choosing to move to developed countries in Europe. As it is widely acknowledged that educated, talented young entrepreneurs and leaders are essential for the growth and development of Africa, these statistics paint a rather disheartening picture.

Tunde FolawiyoHowever, all is not lost; with help from philanthropists like Tunde Folawiyo, the African Leadership Academy intends to change these figures. This September, the boarding school accepted a new group of 46 men and 52 women from all over Africa. These young students are to be put through their paces over the next two years; they will receive intensive training, in the form of classes and practical workshops, which will allow them to not only understand the problems which plague Africa, but also to develop their own ideas on how these issues can be resolved.

The man responsible for the ALA is Fred Swaniker. Whilst attending Stanford University, he spoke with a number of Africans, who were frustrated with the costs associated with sending their children to foreign schools. Swaniker began to question why there were no high-quality educational institutes in his homeland. As the concept for the ALA unfolded, Swaniker realised that there was a way to encourage African students to return to the continent after graduating from overseas universities.

The education which the students receive at the ALA prepares them for entry into world-class universities, including Harvard, MIT and Cambridge; however, the tuition fees for these institutes are typically very high, and far beyond what most young Africans can afford. The academy offers students financial support, in the form of loans, which allows them to obtain degrees from these universities.

After graduating, they then have the option of paying back the money, or alternatively, returning to Africa to work for ten years. If they opt for the latter, their loan will be forgiven. It is hoped that this incentive will increase the number of young, educated leaders and entrepreneurs living in Africa, which in turn, will boost the continent’s economy. With support from the academy’s GBA (Global Advisory Board), on which the businessman Tunde Folawiyo sits, Swaniker intends to create at least 6000 new leaders over the course of 50 years.

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Tunde Folawiyo | How the African Leadership Academy operates

Posted by admin on December 3, 2013 in Uncategorized

The African Leadership Academy is a two-year residential boarding school for those aged between 15 and 18. Located in the South African city of Johannesburg, it provides its students with the skills they need to grow into ethical, capable entrepreneurs and leaders. The goal of this academy, which director Tunde Folawiyo oversees, is to offer young Africans support, intellectual stimulation and guidance at a crucial point in their lives. They are encouraged to run their own businesses on campus, via the SRB (Student-Run Businesses) programme, and are also allowed to get involved with the local community, through the academy’s CSPs (Community Service Projects).

There are five criteria which a potential ALA candidate must fulfil if they wish to be accepted. They must offer proof of past academic achievements, and demonstrate strong leadership abilities. In addition, they must have entrepreneurial spirit, and show that they are dedicated to serving the public. Last but not least, all applicants to the ALA have to be passionate about Africa, aspiring to make changes for the better, like Tunde Folawiyo has been demonstrating for the past few years.

The staff at the ALA along with individuals like Tunde Folawiyo understand the enormously positive impact which mentorship can have on the lives of young people; a mentor can offer one-on-one support and encouragement, and help a student to realise their academic and professional Tunde Folawiyoaspirations. Because of this, the ALA offers all of its students the opportunity to work with a mentor, whom the academy has carefully vetted and selected. Some of the academy’s current mentors are civil servants, leaders of NGOs and business professionals.

The ALA has a number of investors who support the positive work which it carries out; these include the Omidyar Network and the MasterCard Foundation. The latter chose to renew its partnership with the academy last year; this enabled the ALA to make a number of improvements to its programme. The MasterCard Foundation also runs a collaborative award with the ALA, called the Anzisha Prize. The name of this award translates as ‘initiative’ in Swahili. It is given to entrepreneurial African youths who have successfully addressed some of the most pressing concerns facing their local communities. Member of the Global Advisory Board Tunde Folawiyo understands that these skills in politics will help youngsters to advance in life, and fully supports the youth development in Africa.

Fred Swaniker, a 37 year old business consultant and entrepreneur from Ghana, is the founder of the ALA. In 2006, he became an Echoing Green Fellow and in 2011, he was named by Forbes Magazine as one of Africa’s top 10 most powerful young men. Swaniker does his utmost to help Africa’s younger generation develop their leadership skills, as he believes that strong leadership is the key to resolving many of the continent’s economic and political issues.

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Tunde Folawiyo | The African Leadership Academy – home to the continent’s future leaders

Posted by admin on November 26, 2013 in Africa, Tunde Folawiyo, tunde folawiyo africa, tunde folawiyo bio, tunde folawiyo executive, tunde folawiyo profile

Tunde FolawiyoFounded almost ten years ago, the African Leadership Academy (ALA) was created in order to provide young Africans with the opportunity to develop their academic and entrepreneurial skills. Only those aged between 15 and 18, who meet the specified criteria, can join this two-year programme. It is hoped that by nurturing the fresh minds of ambitious students, who have demonstrated exceptional levels of talent and leadership ability, the ALA will propel forward the progression and development of African nations. As a member of the Global Advisory Board of the ALA, Tunde Folawiyo is eager to help the younger generation to develop into successful individuals.

Whilst almost everyone is familiar with the economic and political problems which Africa currently face, few people discuss the positive steps which so many Africans like Tunde Folawiyo are taking to address these issues. The younger generation in particular are beginning to question the state of their countries, and are going to great lengths to create positive change. A recent graduate of the ALA described this generation of Africans as ‘daring’, which seems an appropriate description for the proactive, ambitious youths who populate the countries of this continent.

Fred Swaniker, the ALA founder, set up the academy, in a bid to provide Africa’s future leaders with the support they need to fulfil their ambitions and contribute to the development of their countries. The curriculum used at the school is intellectually demanding, and students are also offered the opportunity to access third-level education and ongoing training, depending on which career path they intend to take.

The ALA employs a group of counsellors who help students to find university placements that are best suited to their personal preferences and career goals. These counsellors can provide support with regards to university entrance exam preparations, and help students to apply for scholarships and secure financial support.

During their time at the ALA, students learn about a wide range of important topics, including conflict resolution, economic growth, health care provision and the eradication of hunger. They are also required to complete a ‘Culminating Project’ during their final year; the purpose of this project is to demonstrate all of the skills and knowledge which students have acquired during their time with the ALA.

The ALA encourages its students to take a pan-African approach, as its founder contends that solidarity is an essential component of Africa’s growth and development. Those attending the ALA understand that only through tolerance and collaboration, will they be able to catalyse positive change across the continent, which is something that Tunde Folawiyo has been achieving for Nigeria itself for many years.

The main overall objective of ALA, with the assistance of many people, including member of the Global Advisory Board Tunde Folawiyo, is to develop entrepreneurial and ethical leaders to facilitate economic growth, political stability, eradication of poverty and diseases in the continent.

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