We’re proud to unveil the 2024 cohort of the AMALI City Leadership Programme – a gathering of forward-thinking city leaders poised for a transformative journey.
The AMALI City Leadership Programme is a comprehensive, year-long initiative providing support and mentorship to city leaders with the potential to significantly improve the lives of their communities. Tailored to refine their visions for urban development, participants receive guidance from experienced coaches known for their transformative leadership, including former heads of state, government ministers and mayors. Throughout the programme, city leaders gain a deeper understanding of the essential teams and tools needed to execute their plans effectively while rallying support from constituents and stakeholders.
We are honoured to introduce the 15 exceptional members of the 2024 AMALI cohort from nine African countries; leaders who have been selected for their ambition and vision to improve their cities:
- Abdoulaye Thimbo, Mayor of Pikine, Senegal
- Barthélémy Toye Dias, Mayor of Dakar, Senegal
- Christopher Habeenzu, Mayor of Chongwe, Zambia
- David Coltart, Mayor of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Elizabeth Naa Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey, Mayor of Accra, Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Ghana
- Jones Kalyati, Mayor of Ndola, Zambia
- Joseph Jama Ole Lenku, Governor of Kajiado County, Kenya
- Njikho Musuku, Mayor of Mansa, Zambia
- Ordin Bedri Hamdogn, President of Harari National Regional State, Ethiopia
- Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, Governor of Kisumu County, Kenya
- Queen Omagano Kamati, Mayor of Windhoek, Namibia
- Sakaja Arthur Johnson, Governor of Nairobi City County, Kenya
- Siyad Abdi Ahmed, Mayor of Jigjiga, Ethiopia
- Wild James Ndipo, Mayor of Blantyre, Malawi
- Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone
The 2024 AMALI programme kicked off with an immersive four-day leadership forum hosted at the University of Cape Town from January 29th to February 1st. Throughout the forum, city leaders delved into deeply engaging sessions with mentors and advisors, shaping their visions for urban development. (See a full list of AMALI advisors here: https://bit.ly/AdvisorBios). The forum served as a platform for exchanging insights and experiences in steering bold transformation initiatives.
Jamie Cooper, AMALI Board Co-Chair and Chair and President of Big Win Philanthropy reflected on the 2024 AMALI City Leadership Forum’s purpose and the anticipated impact on participants:
“Well-planned urban centres are widely acknowledged as pivotal contributors to national well-being and economic prosperity. The vibrancy, ambition, and deep commitment of this AMALI cohort to improving their cities and bettering the lives of citizens is exceptional. Given the trajectory and pace of growth of its cities, this quality of leadership bodes well for the continent,”
With the establishment of the AMALI peer-to-peer network, city leaders now belong to a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to overcoming challenges and inspiring progress.
AMALI is a partnership of the African Centre for Cities (ACC) at the University of Cape Town, Big Win Philanthropy, and Bloomberg Philanthropies. The programme draws on each organisation’s rich experience and expertise to support participating city leaders.
Mayors and Governors participating in the 2024 cohort of the AMALI City Leadership Programme.