Executive & Strategic
Leadership Program
“Managing Organizations and Building Institutional Resilience”
DATE
September 8 & 9, 2026
VENUE
Yaahot Hotel, Yaounde, Cameroon
PARTICIPANTS
Limted to 25
BACKGROUNG
Leading Through Uncertainty
The 2026 Executive and Strategic Leadership Program (ESLP) is a two-day intensive residential program designed to equip senior leaders and managers from across sectors with the strategic, organizational, and leadership capabilities necessary to lead their institutions with greater effectiveness and impact.
The program is built on the conviction that the most important leadership challenges of 2026 are not sector-specific. Whether leading a ministry, a corporation, a university, a development agency, or a research institution, senior leaders face common challenges: managing complexity and uncertainty, building high-performance cultures, mobilizing resources sustainably, communicating evidence and insight to decision-makers, and leading organizational change in an environment that is moving faster than most institutions were designed to handle.
Program Objectives
The aim of the 2026 Executive and Strategic Leadership Program is to enhance the strategic leadership and organizational effectiveness of think tanks and CSOs for increased societal impact and sustainable influence in national and regional policy spaces.
Strategic Leadership & Management
Equip leaders with tools for effective decision-making and forward-looking strategic planning. Strengthen governance, resource mobilization, and financial sustainability.
Policy influence & advocacy
Deepen their skills related to evidence communication, stakeholder engagement, and public policy outreach.
Collaborative networks
Encourage partnership and peer learning among leadership cohorts across Africa.
Program Content
The ESLP will feature interactive learning through expert presentations, panel discussions, case studies, group activities, and peer consultations.
Leadership for Strategic Impact
- Adaptive leadership theories
- Decision-making methodologies, and conflict management
Organizational Governance & Sustainability
- Architecture for Governance
- Planning & Financing
Resource Mobilization & Financial Strategy
- Diversified resource mobilization strategies
- Donor engagement
Policy Advocacy and Communication
- Synthesizing evidence, writing policy briefs
- Methods for engaging with the media
Gender Mainstreaming & Inclusivity in Leadership
- Strategies for Ensuring Equitable Representation
- Inclusive Practices
Regional Collaboration & Networks
- Cross-institutional collaboration
- Joint ventures for creating impact
Expected Outcomes
The participants will emerge from the program with:
- Increased ability to lead their respective organisations through the avenues of strategic planning and change management.
- Organizational systems that are improved for financial sustainability, governance, and accountability
- Improved skills to translate research into policy advocacy to inform public debate
- Extended professional and institutional networks for cooperation, joint research work, and shared learning
Target Audience
Executive Leaders (Think Tanks & CSOs)
Senior Researchers & Program Managers
Next-Gen Leaders with Experience
Policy & Governance Changemakers
Who Can Participate?
Participation Requirements
Demonstrated leadership or research experience in a think tank, CSO, or related organization.
Commitment to improving organizational impact and advocacy capabilities.
Submission of a completed application form with a statement of purpose highlighting professional goals, organisational challenges, and expectations of the program.
Participation Fee
Think tanks, CSO leaders
$200
Researchers
$150
Returning participants
$180
Late payments
$300
What the Fee Covers:
- Access to all sessions
- Training materials and resources
- Meals and refreshments during the event
- Exclusive pass to attend the Annual Central Africa Think Tank Forum
- Access to a high-level networking dinner
- Access to a high-level networking dinner
- Access to the Think Tank Gala
- Certificates
Participants (TBA)
Agenga (TBA)
Apply Now for the 2026 ESLP
Apply now to join the 2026 Executive & Strategic Leadership Program and strengthen your institution’s strategic leadership, sustainability, and policy influence in an increasingly complex environment.