YALI NATION
WE ARE THE LEADERS AFRICA WAS WAITING FOR!
Today I am hopeful leader! Today I have faith in my continent.
Despite the countless difficulties that I’ve encountered in the few years that I’ve been alive, I have come to learn that the future depends on the vision and audacity of the present leaders.
Being one of those leaders, I came to realize that I not only have the opportunity to shape the future of my continent, but it’s my responsibility to do it. And that is when the YALI NATION took form.
It was a dream come true, to look back and see that I’ve contributed to improving the lives of thousands of young leaders who are improving the lives of thousands of other people across Africa. This was a profound moment of excitement and joy!
How many people do you know who can influence influencers? How many people do you know who can lead leaders? How many people do you know who can inspire inspirational figures? Not many. Because not everyone can stand the pressure.
And rather than being worried about it, I’ve been more than excited. I’m excited because my nation of Young African Leaders influence me positively. Their questions, insights, comments and dreams challenge me to be a greater leader. Their trust and belief in my vision of a better Africa encourages me to lead the way towards a better future for our continent.
I am one of them, and they are all a part of me. We all dream of a better life where infrastructure would be developed, the rule of law would be applied, policies and initiatives would be conceived and the future will be planned with the citizens, the small business owners, the students, the young girls and the urban farmers in mind.
Rather than complaining like everyone else around us, we decided to do something about the problems in our societies. Rather than being passive victims of poor leadership, we became active social, business and political actors that put our lives and futures on the line in order to promote change in our environments. And through perseverance, we won!
It took us some time, but at some point our efforts were recognized. We received the long needed recognition that enabled us to finally breathe and take a moment to reflect on why it is so hard to do good in Africa.
Why is it so hard for brilliance to be recognized, rules to be followed, people to be encouraged and solutions to be implemented?
Why are we still applauding ignorants and thieves, while the honest and hardworking are dying miserable deaths, in their own corners of sorrow and regrets?
Why are we considered the richest continent, yet almost everyone is infected with poor thoughts?
Why has the African number 1 billion never tasted nespresso, seen gold, or experienced a safari? Why do we need to fight to share our culture, our values and history when it is already a part of the fabric of mankind and all human evolution?
Why are most of the successful African startups founded, funded, owned or run by foreigners? Why are we still awarding social entrepreneurs who still haven’t figured out how to sell a product or sustain their social impact ?
Why hasn’t any African Government invested in identifying, nurturing and transforming the future generation of leaders? Why did it have to be the First black American president be the first to create a Young African Leaders Initiative?
These introspective questions and many more have engaged us to step out of our shoes, see the world from a different perspective and decide to do something about it. And that’s exactly why I started this movement.
If you’ve heard about my folly, it’s time to let you in on the secret…
WE ARE THE LEADERS AFRICA HAS BEEN WAITING FOR, and I am committed to making this continent the most innovative, prosperous and advanced continent by 2100.
I am doing this by identifying, improving and investing in the continent’s most outstanding, driven, ambitious and high achieving young leaders. I call them the YALI NATION, because the YALI Regional Leadership Centers already identify and select the best young people in their respective regions.
When I train a class, speak to a cohort or interact 1 on 1 with my participants from any of the 23 countries in West, East and Central Africa, I remind them about their roles in transforming the continent. I urge them to lead their people towards a better, greater and more prosperous future.
I remind them that in a continent such as Africa, the best way to make impact is not to give hope, but it’s to create jobs. It’s not to inspire people, but to pay them a fair salary, fight for their rights, give them a good example. And that’s how we’ll transform Africa. Not by grants, conferences, speeches and give-aways. Not by “vote for me” awards, scholarships and pitch competitions, but by identifying pressing problems and creating innovative, design driven, profitable, sustainable and impact oriented organizations that will improve the economy, create wealth, educate and empower our people while improving their well-being.
So if you feel my passion and drive, it’s because I’ve been to the mountain top and I have seen the promise land. I may not get there with you, but be sure we will get there…
And just like the great man (Martin Luther King Jr) who’s dream for a more just society led, another great man (Barack Obama) to dream for a better leadership in society, I also have a dream of a more prosperous society. And I strongly believe that it will encourage many more leaders like you to dream as well.
You don’t need to have been a part of the YALI program to be a part of the YALI Nation! You simply need to be passionate about the development of Africa and it’s people. You need to be selfless and empathetic to the needs of the communities you serve.
You don’t need to be an African to be a leader in our nation, however, you must purposefully invest for the long run and be an active soldier of the fight to create more jobs and opportunities for our people.
This is the work I’ll be remembered for. I will be remembered as a leader of a panafrican nation of social, business and political leaders. Not the president, nor a minister, nor an emperor or a king. But a catalyst, an ispiration, a guide and a pioneer, who wasn’t afraid to inspire, challenge and lead a generation of young leaders to make a practical, tangible and measurable impact in society, in the economy, in politics and on the environment.
That’s a promise and a commitment. What’s yours?
