African Approaches to Leadership Development

This chapter explores African approaches to leadership development, emphasising Indigenous knowledge systems, communal values and relational leadership models. It critiques the dominance of Western paradigms and argues for a decolonised perspective that integrates African philosophical traditions such as Ubuntu. The discussion highlights the role of storytelling, mentorship and community-based learning in cultivating leaders who are ethically grounded and socially responsible. Furthermore, it examines how African leadership development practices align with contemporary global leadership challenges, offering valuable insights into sustainability, inclusivity and adaptive leadership. The chapter also critiques existing gaps in scholarship and calls for greater engagement with African approaches in leadership research and practice. Finally, the chapter demonstrates how African-centred leadership frameworks can contribute to more contextually relevant and impactful leadership development strategies.