By Ayomide Otitoju
The African School of Governance (ASG) has marked a historic milestone with the matriculation of its first-ever Master of Public Administration (MPA) cohort.
Co-founded by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, the pioneering programme is designed to train a new generation of ethical and effective public leaders, drawing on the expertise of leading African scholars, policymakers, and government officials.
The inaugural class welcomed 51 students from 14 African countries, formally recognized as the institution’s first #ASGPioneers. Addressing the students, President Kagame underscored their responsibility to shape Africa’s future. “An institution is only as strong as the people it shapes. That means you. Your education here will challenge you to think critically and practically about how to move our continent forward,” he said.
During the ceremony, members of the diplomatic corps, faculty, partners, and students witnessed the new cohort take the ASG Pledge, affirming their commitment to integrity, service, and transformative leadership. Student Representative Council President Francisca Mujawase emphasized this pledge as a collective vow to advance excellence and leadership across Africa.
Reeta Roy, President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation—one of ASG’s founding partners—hailed the event as a defining moment. She said the programme embodies a Pan-African vision of inclusive, ethical leadership, in line with the Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy to enable 30 million young people to access dignified work by 2030.
The ceremony concluded with a high-level dialogue on “Mindset and Attitude of Leadership,” featuring President Kagame, former Prime Minister Desalegn, and the students. Desalegn urged the cohort to embrace servant leadership, stressing that governance must shift from personal gain to collective sacrifice.
ASG Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Prof. Amany El-Sharif, described the matriculation as “more than a ceremony, but a rite of passage and a commitment to serve Africa.”
