The 8th African Leadership Forum (ALF) began on April 7, 2025, at the prestigious Munyonyo Speke Resort, bringing together prominent leaders from across Africa to discuss critical developmental challenges. This year’s theme, “Realizing Sustainable Development Goals in Africa: Progress and Way Forward,” emphasizes the urgent need to accelerate efforts toward achieving the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Co-convened by H.E. Dr. Jakaya Kikwete, former President of Tanzania and ALF Patron, and H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, the forum also sees the anticipated participation of Uganda’s President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The event, running from April 7-8, serves as a platform for candid, high-level discussions, bringing together former heads of state, government officials, business leaders, academics, and civil society representatives.
The forum’s discussions, conducted under Chatham House Rules, are centered on vital issues such as combating corruption, strengthening governance, and addressing sectors like health, education, and agriculture—key areas where Africa has struggled to meet global targets. With only six years remaining until the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the forum aims to formulate actionable strategies, including the anticipated Kampala Declaration, to accelerate sustainable and inclusive growth across the continent.
President Museveni’s presence highlights Uganda’s increasing prominence in regional leadership conversations. His government has prioritized economic self-sufficiency, with recent remarks advocating for infrastructure investments to reduce business costs while critiquing historical economic policies.
The ALF’s significance is further amplified by its alignment with the 11th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-11), also taking place at Munyonyo from April 9-11. This dual event underscores the collective urgency and commitment to turning developmental promises into tangible outcomes for Africa’s future.
Organized by the UONGOZI Institute and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the ALF serves as a pivotal platform for Africa to drive its own development narrative. As delegates engage in discussions, the overarching focus remains on transforming commitments into concrete actions for a continent at a crossroads.
