Leadership Compass
Gain immediate, actionable insights into your leadership potential.
The Leadership Compass is a powerful diagnostic tool built for emerging African leaders. It offers instant insights into your leadership strengths while informing EMERGE’s evolving training and talent offerings.
Apply now >> to unlock your leadership capacity—and more.
The “Leadership Compass” is an innovative diagnostic tool designed specifically for emerging leaders. This comprehensive assessment provides immediate, actionable insights into leadership capabilities while gathering critical market intelligence to inform EMERGE's program development and talent marketplace.
Drawing on research across African and global leadership contexts, the Leadership Compass combines cultural intelligence, practical competency assessment, and aspirational mapping to create a uniquely valuable experience for both users and organisational stakeholders.
Apply now to gain access to the leadership compass and more.
Big Dreams Need
Bold Partners
Powered by TheBoardroom Africa and proudly supported by the Mastercard Foundation to advance Africa’s next generation of leaders.
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© 2025 by TheBoardroom Africa
PARTNER WITH EMERGE
Transform your talent acquisition strategy and connect with Africa's next generation of leaders.
Talent that Transforms
Access a curated pool of emerging leaders ready to drive your organisation forward.
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Leadership-ready young professionals
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Candidates with verified capabilities and certifications
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Diverse talent pool with 70% female representation
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Professionals trained in governance, sustainability, and strategic thinking
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Reduced recruitment costs and time-to-fill
Simplified Talent Matching
We're building an AI-driven marketplace that connects you to candidates aligned with your needs.
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Define your leadership requirements
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Access matched candidates from our talent pool
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Connect directly with potential hires
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Benefit from streamlined recruitment processes
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Build your leadership pipeline for sustained growth
Become a Partner
Take the complication out of sourcing emerging leaders, and get the support you need to transform them.
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Gain dedicated complementary support for your talent needs
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Get support to define your ideal candidate profiles
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Gain access to our vetted talent marketplace
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Connect with matched candidates
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Build your succession plan with a curated leadership pipeline
Your leadership journey starts here.
About EMERGE
EMERGE was born out of a bold vision: to redefine leadership development for Africa’s next generation of changemakers. Launched by TheBoardroom Africa with the generous support of the Mastercard Foundation, the programme addresses a critical gap in leadership pipelines across the continent. Too often, emerging leaders are sidelined by traditional models that fail to account for their unique challenges and contexts, but therein lies the opportunity.
ONE INTEGRATED SOLUTION
We’ve crafted a unique experience that blends the power of community with cutting-edge leadership tools and access to career-shaping opportunities.
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Professional support
Professional support to help emerging leaders confidently navigate their career journeys. From refining personal branding to building leadership presence, participants gain access to expert guidance, tools, and resources designed to accelerate growth and prepare them for high-impact opportunities.
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Leadership Development
Specialised training to equip emerging leaders with the mindset and skills to lead with impact. Through expert-led training in areas like personal mastery, governance, strategy, and sustainability, participants gain the confidence and competence to thrive in complex, evolving environments.
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Talent Marketplace
Through a curated talent marketplace, participants access roles that either place them in leadership or provide a clear path toward it—accelerating their journey to long-term impact and influence.
APPROACH
Our goal is to cultivate leaders who will lead Africa's transformation
Rooted in African realities, our approach fuses learning, reflection, and exposure to unlock authentic, effective leadership.
TESTIMONIALS
What EMERGE pilot leaders said...
EMERGE has been nothing short of life-changing for me.
I came in seeking practical solutions to two leadership challenges: empowering my management team and creating space for my own growth.
Abdul Hamid Adams
EMERGE helped me get comfortable being more authentic. From rethinking perfectionism to owning my executive presence, EMERGE gave me the clarity to align who I am with who I want to become.
Mary Wamaitha
The biggest takeaway for me is that there’s always room to grow. Leadership is not about having all the answers today. That mindset shift alone has made EMERGE worth every moment.
Anna Naami
FAQ
You're probably
wondering...
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What is EMERGE?EMERGE is a flagship talent development programme by TheBoardroom Africa, designed to support the next generation of African leaders. It offers tailored professional support, specialised leadership training, and access to career opportunities that help emerging leaders grow, thrive, and lead with impact.
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Why is there a need for EMERGE?Africa is the world’s youngest continent, with 77% of its population under the age of 35. Among them, individuals aged 25–35 represent a vital demographic on the verge of leadership. Yet, many face systemic barriers, limited access to structured career development, professional networks, and leadership readiness support. EMERGE addresses this gap by equipping emerging leaders with the tools, training, and connections they need to thrive. It helps unlock the potential of this often-overlooked group, preparing them to step into mid-level and senior roles that can drive inclusive economic growth, innovation, and transformation across the continent.
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Who is EMERGE for?EMERGE is designed for emerging leaders aged 25–35 across Africa who demonstrate high potential, ambition, and a commitment to driving change in their communities or industries. It is ideal for individuals seeking to accelerate their leadership journey and access meaningful career opportunities.
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What kind of support does EMERGE offer?Participants benefit from a range of support including expert-led training, access to professional development tools, executive coaching, career readiness resources, and a curated talent marketplace that connects them with leadership-aligned opportunities.
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How will the Talent Marketplace work?The EMERGE Talent Marketplace connects participants to employers looking for high-potential, leadership-ready talent. These opportunities are carefully selected to ensure they either place participants in leadership roles or provide a clear, supported pathway to leadership.
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Is there a cost to participate in EMERGE?No. Participation in EMERGE is fully funded for admitted candidates, thanks to the generous support of the Mastercard Foundation. This allows emerging leaders to access high-impact training, professional support, and career opportunities without financial barriers.
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How can I apply or nominate someone for EMERGE?Applications for EMERGE are currently open and can be submitted online. If you know a promising candidate, you can nominate them by using this link. For updates on future activities or to stay connected, feel free to sign up for updates or reach out to our team directly at info@emergeleaders.com
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How will the training in EMERGE work?EMERGE will offer a tailored leadership readiness curriculum delivered through a state-of-the-art digital learning platform. Training is fully asynchronous, allowing participants to learn at their own pace. Courses cover critical areas such as personal mastery, governance, strategy, finance, climate, and sustainability—equipping participants with the skills to emerge as leaders in today’s complex world.
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Can employers or partners collaborate with EMERGE?Absolutely. EMERGE partners with organisations across Africa to place emerging leaders in high-impact roles, support talent development goals, and build more inclusive leadership pipelines. Reach out to us to explore tailored partnership opportunities that align with your strategic priorities.
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What kind of talent can we expect from EMERGE?EMERGE candidates are high-potential professionals aged 25–35 who have either undergone or are undergoing rigorous leadership training and professional development. They are equipped with the mindset, skills, and support to thrive in complex environments and contribute meaningfully to organisational growth.
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How does the recruitment process work for employers?Partner organisations receive access to a curated pool of leadership-ready talent. Our team works with you to understand your needs and facilitate the connection between you and candidates whose profiles align with your values, culture, and strategic goals.
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Can EMERGE support internal leadership development within our organisation?Yes. In addition to sourcing talent, EMERGE offers leadership readiness tools, coaching, and bespoke training support that can be tailored to strengthen your internal talent pipeline and prepare emerging leaders for advancement within your organisation.
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What are the benefits of becoming an EMERGE partner?As a partner, you gain early access to exceptional leadership talent, demonstrate commitment to inclusive growth, and contribute to shaping the future of Africa’s leadership landscape. You also join a community of like-minded organisations driving positive change across the continent.
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How can we become a partner or learn more?We welcome partnership enquiries from companies, investors, development organisations, and institutions. To learn more or start a conversation, please contact our team directly—we’d be delighted to explore how EMERGE can support your goals.
