By Ayomide Otitoju
Delta Air Lines, in partnership with Junior Achievement (JA) Africa, has successfully graduated 61 high-potential African girls from the 2026 LEAD Camp, inducting them into the 10 Million African Girls (10MAG) community, a long-term platform advancing leadership and opportunity for young women across the continent.
Held in Accra from March 2–8 to mark this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” the camp brought together participants from Eswatini, Ghana, Nigeria, Mauritius, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia. The initiative underscores Delta and JA Africa’s commitment to expanding leadership development, economic participation, and cross-border exposure for emerging female leaders.
The LEAD Camp offers immersive, skills-based training designed to strengthen executive presence, decision-making, entrepreneurial thinking, and future-ready competencies. Participants also engaged in financial literacy, advocacy, and career exploration, connecting directly with corporate leaders, policy experts, and industry professionals.
Ed Bastian, Chief Executive Officer of Delta Air Lines, said, “Sustainable progress begins with access — access to knowledge, networks, and opportunity. Our partnership with JA Africa transcends traditional training; it establishes a structured pathway that allows young African women to engage meaningfully in the global economy. Inducting this year’s cohort into 10MAG reflects our long-term commitment to expanding opportunity across the continent.”
A programme highlight was the “Give to Gain” Social Impact Challenge, where participants worked in cross-country teams to design solutions addressing real community issues. Finalists presented their projects during the graduation ceremony, demonstrating problem-solving, innovation, and leadership.
Simi Nwogugu, President & CEO of JA Africa, described the graduation as a transition into continued growth: “LEAD Camp equips young women with leadership capability and strategic exposure, while 10MAG ensures ongoing mentorship, scholarships, and entrepreneurial pathways. Together, they cultivate a generation of women prepared to lead in boardrooms, build thriving enterprises, and shape policy across Africa.”
The 10MAG community provides graduates with sustained mentorship, scholarship opportunities, entrepreneurial incubation, and professional networking, ensuring participants remain connected to a broader ecosystem of opportunity and accountability.
Since its inception, the LEAD Camp has evolved into a pan-African convening point for emerging female leaders. The 2026 edition further reinforced Delta Air Lines and JA Africa’s strategic alignment in delivering structured, measurable leadership development across borders.
As the 61 graduates return to their countries, they do so equipped not only with training but with networks, accountability, and a clear pathway for continued growth through the 10MAG platform.
