City
Leadership
Programme

A Network of Transformational City Leaders

AMALI is a dedicated investment in strengthening transformative leadership capabilities of African Mayors and Governors through bespoke training, technical support and problem-driven research. The work is executed on an annual cycle. The leadership development happens alongside the nurturing of a formidable network of mayors that provide ongoing support, solidarity and visibility designed to champion the cause of African cities in Africa’s structural transformation.

The AMALI Path

AMALI City Leadership Forum 2025

Taking place for four days in January 2025 at the University of Cape Town, South Africa

Applications are now open for the 3rd cohort of the AMALI mayors and governors to participate in the AMALI City Leadership Forum at the University of Cape Town.

Are you a mayor or governor overseeing a city of over 300,000 residents in and African city?
Do you have three years or more left in your term in office?
Then you are eligible to apply for the next AMALI City Leadership Forum.For inquiries contact the AMALI project coordinator:
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +27 71 221 6253

Apply Now

Cohort 2024

14 mayors and governors from 9 African countries form part of the AMALI 2024 cohort

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:

  • 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
  • Siyad Abdi Ahmed, Mayor of Jigjiga, Ethiopia
  • Queen Omagano Kamati, Mayor of Windhoek, Namibia
  • Wild James Ndipo, Mayor of Blantyre, Malawi
  • Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone
Read more

AMALI City Leadership Forum 2024

Took place on the 29th January – 1st February 2024

University of Cape Town, South Africa

Applications are now closed for the 2nd Cohort of the AMALI mayors to participate in the AMALI City Leadership Forum at the University of Cape Town.

  • Are you a mayor or governor overseeing a city of over 300,000 residents in and African city?
  • Do you have three years or more left in your term in office?
  • Then you are eligible to apply for the next AMALI City Leadership Forum.

For inquiries contact the AMALI project coordinator:
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +27 71 221 6253

Cohort 2023

15 mayors and governors from 8 African countries participated in the inaugural AMALI City Leadership Forum

with a keynote address from Pres. Akinwumi Adesina (AfDB) from the 23-26 January 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa.

“Our research and experience around pioneering transformative leadership portends that mayors and city leaders are going to be gamechangers in setting the trajectory of the African continent. Our advisory board members understand this first-hand, having led bold, game-changing urban development initiatives. I look forward to seeing how they engage with—and inspire—our first cohort of city leaders.”
Jamie Cooper – President and Founder of Big Win Philanthropy – AMALI co-chair

“Without transforming cities, we cannot have the kind of Africa we want.”
Pres. Akinwumi Adesina of AfDB- Keynote speaker

“I am very impressed with how the mayors embraced this initiative. It shows that this programme came at the right time; it was missing in our process of organising the development of our countries.“
Luísa Dias Diogo Former Prime Minister of Mozambique – AMALI advisor