Applying Context: African Praxis, Ubuntu Ethics, and an Applied Model.

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Education
• Business Administration

Background:

• African leadership education faces the challenge of preparing leaders for a globalized world while respecting local heritage.
• Existing leadership development models require adaptation to the African context.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the conceptual and theoretical foundations of leadership education and development in Africa.
• To examine the applicability of the International Leadership Association (ILA) General Principles for Leadership Programs (2021) to African leadership contexts.
• To analyze the redesign of the African Leadership University's Executive MBA program using the ILA framework.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of leadership education and development theories in Africa.
• Examination of the International Leadership Association (ILA) General Principles for Leadership Programs (2021).
• Case study of the redesigned Executive MBA program at African Leadership University, Kigali, Rwanda.

Main Results:

• The ILA principles offer a valuable organizing framework for African leadership education programs.
• Redesigning leadership programs requires integrating global competencies with local heritage and context.
• African leadership theory and praxis are best understood within the context of change and transformation.

Conclusions:

• Leadership education in Africa must balance global demands with local relevance.
• The ILA framework can guide the development of effective and contextually appropriate leadership programs in Africa.
• The African Leadership University's MBA program serves as a model for integrating theoretical principles with practical application in African leadership development.