Rethinking Leadership in Africa

Rethinking Leadership in Africa: Reflections on Dependency and Learned Helplessness challenges the long-held narratives that have defined power on our continent. Through compelling narratives, readers are invited to witness how this legacy of dependency has impacted everything from grassroots community development to national governance. The author shares powerful stories of leaders and change-makers who have dared to break free from these constraints, offering a vision of leadership defined by empowerment, accountability, and collective action. Far from being a mere critique of the past, Rethinking Leadership in Africa is a call to action-a manifesto for transforming our future. It lays out practical pathways for reform: reimagining education to foster critical thinking, reforming policies to decentralize power, and nurturing networks of mentorship that empower the next generation. This book argues that true leadership is not granted by external forces but is cultivated from within, through the relentless pursuit of self-determination and innovation. For policymakers, educators, business leaders, and citizens alike, this work is an invitation to reclaim our narrative and build institutions that reflect our potential. It is a reminder that the power to create change lies not in waiting for a savior, but in our collective capacity to lead. Rethinking leadership is not just necessary-it is inevitable if Africa is to forge a future marked by sustainable development and self-reliance