By Gideon Maxwell
August 21, 2026
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has hosted 23 fellows of the Elevate Africa Fellowship from 18 African countries, engaging them on the challenges of building stronger institutions, competitive economies and effective leadership across the continent.
Osinbajo hosted the fellows at a dinner in Abuja, where discussions focused on some of the difficult questions confronting Africa and the leadership required to address them.
The fellows represent different sectors and professional backgrounds, including policy, technology, entrepreneurship, education, health, finance and the arts.
Reflecting on the engagement, Osinbajo said the diversity of the fellows’ professional experiences was matched by a common determination to contribute to Africa’s development.
He highlighted the importance of strengthening institutions, improving economic competitiveness and developing the capacity to lead effectively in complex environments.
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A central theme of the conversation was the relationship between Africa’s past experiences and the continent’s efforts to build a better future.
Osinbajo referenced a Liberian proverb, “Sit on an old mat to weave a new one,” which he said aptly captured the purpose of the gathering.
According to him, building a new Africa does not mean discarding everything that came before. Rather, the continent must learn from its experiences, build on existing foundations and have the courage to create something better.
He said the fellows were already contributing to that process through their work across different sectors and countries.
The engagement formed part of the Elevate Africa Fellowship’s leadership development activities. The fellowship brings together promising African leaders and exposes them to experienced policymakers, business leaders and other influential figures as part of its broader focus on leadership, governance, trade, investment, culture and continental development.
The 2026 cohort comprises 23 fellows drawn from 18 African countries, with the programme designed to develop a network of leaders capable of driving meaningful change across the continent.
The interaction also gave the fellows an opportunity to discuss their individual experiences and the challenges confronting their respective sectors and countries.
Osinbajo’s participation reflects his continuing involvement in leadership development and conversations on Africa’s institutional and economic transformation since leaving office as Nigeria’s Vice President.
