What is the Strong Nations for Africa Programme?

The Strong Nations for Africa Programme is a senior management programme designed for senior African public sector leaders,
to support them as they build strong nations for the next generation.

The programme is co-designed and co-delivered by the Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG), a Singapore headquartered non-profit organisation, and the African Association of Public Administration and Management (AAPAM), a professional organisation that promotes best practice and excellence in public administration and management in Africa. This year, the programme will be held in South Africa and Singapore.

Why this Programme?

Through this programme, we hope to build a community of African public sector leaders who are committed to improving the quality of national governance in their respective countries, and to provide a platform for sharing good practices in governance, drawn from Africa and around the world. 

Programme participants will have opportunities to form peer networks with other public sector leaders across the continent. They will also get to experience examples of public policy and service delivery in practice first-hand in South Africa and in Singapore, through facilitated discussions and learning journeys.

Who is it for?

Senior public sector leaders with deep experience in governance and public policy will benefit most from this programme. 

Programme applicants should meet the following criteria:
  1. Must be a citizen of an African country
  2. Currently living and working in the public service of an African country
  3. Have a minimum of 5 years of experience working in the public service
  4. Be fluent in English
  5. Be present and commit to participate in all segments and activities of the programme

Programme Structure and Dates

 The Strong Nations for Africa Programme will be delivered through two residential segments which will be held in South Africa and Singapore. Participants will also be expected to attend a few days of online training held between both residential segments.  

The programme will be delivered through a mix of modalities that will bring learning to life. Participants can look forward to an exciting programme filled with discussions, curated learning journeys, lectures, and expert sharing sessions to facilitate peer-learning and build a sense of cohort and shared perspectives.


  • Understanding and Stewarding Strong Nations
    Residential Segment in South Africa 
    29 July to 2 August 2024

  • Developing the Leader in You
    Online Segment 
    12 to 16 August 2024

  • Building Wise, Prosperous and Unified Nations 
    Residential Segment in Singapore
     26 August to 30 August 2024

Programme Fees and Participant's Expenses

Confirmed participants will pay a programme fee of US$1,000. This fee covers part of the cost of organising and delivering the programme. The rest of the programme costs are covered by the Chandler Institute of Governance.


In addition, participants are required to cover their own costs of travel to, accommodation, and ground expenses in South Africa and Singapore.  




How to Apply?

Applications can be submitted through our online application form below by 21 June 2024.

As part of the application, you will be required to submit a Curriculum Vitae, a written statement and a short video.

We will be in touch with short-listed applicants for the programme.

Meet Our Participants

The inaugural run of the Strong Nations for Africa Programme was held in Kenya and Singapore in 2023. Find out more by clicking the links below:
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Hear what our participants have to say about their key takeaways from the programme.
Irene Pauline Bateebe
Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development
Uganda
"The model of building strong nations and the pillars of leadership, building a wise, prosperous, but also diverse nation, are very relevant to my country. As part of the programme, we also learnt how to build our narrative, our story, and how we continue from there to develop a strong nation. So I believe, by strengthening the leadership within my country, we should be able to build a wise nation and a leadership that is transformational."
Geoffrey Kiarie Njuguna
Senior Deputy Secretary
State Department for Public Service
Kenya
"The programme has been transformative and I am convinced it has really changed the way I look at public service. I will be making recommendations for the office to sponsor more senior officers in Government to generate a critical mass of transformative thinkers and officers who are at the driving seat of policy formulation and implementation to undertake this course at CIG."
Patience Allotey-Pappoe
Director
Office of the President
Ghana
"I liked the way the programme has been structured – theory then practical. The mix of activities has helped my learning to better understand that to shape policy, you need community involvement, inclusivity and ownership."
Victor Mwamba Peni
Director General
Emoluments Commission
Zambia
"One of the things I discovered is that you cannot develop as a nation if you are not unified. There must be a common sense of purpose that buys into the vision for the country. This program provides a practical approach to that by showing how Singapore, despite its diversity in terms of culture, and ethnic groupings, was able to build social cohesion with everyone thinking with one mind, one heart and one soul."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is the Strong Nations for Africa Programme for?

The programme is for senior public sector leaders with deep experience in governance and public policy, are passionate about improving national governance and would like to enhance their knowledge in public sector innovation and reform alongside colleagues across Africa.

Will I get a certificate upon completion of the programme?

Participants who have successful completed the programme will be awarded a Certificate of Accomplishment jointly issued by the Chandler Institute of Governance and the African Association for Public Administration and Management.


Contact Us

Please reach out to the CAG Programmes Team in case of any enquiries.