The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), African Union (AU), and the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) have announced plans to launch the inaugural African Academy for Women in Political Leadership aimed at strengthening women’s participation in governance and political leadership across the continent.
The announcement was made by Jide Okeke, Director of the Regional Programme for Africa at the UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa (RSCA), during his opening remarks at AWLN’s High-Level Dialogue held on the sidelines of the 2026 African Development Bank (AfDB) Annual Meetings in Brazzaville.
Okeke said the initiative, which is being implemented through the Africa Facility to Support Women in Politics, would provide a fully funded continental programme designed to empower women with the skills required to govern, legislate, and lead effectively.
According to him, the academy will equip its first cohort of 30 women leaders with practical leadership and political governance skills needed to strengthen inclusive leadership across Africa.
“Through the Africa Facility to Support Women in Politics, which UNDP is delivering with the African Union and AWLN, we are about to launch the inaugural African Academy for Women in Political Leadership,” Okeke stated.
He explained that the programme seeks to address longstanding barriers limiting women’s political participation on the continent, particularly financial challenges associated with contesting elections and running political campaigns.
Addressing Financial Barriers
Okeke noted that many qualified women are prevented from seeking political office not because of a lack of competence, but due to the high financial cost of political participation.
“Too many capable women are stopped not by a lack of talent, but by a lack of money — the cost of running, of campaigning, of competing,” he said.
He further disclosed that the Facility would launch a continental consultation process aimed at addressing financial obstacles confronting women in politics and exploring sustainable mechanisms to improve access to political financing for female candidates.
Strengthening Women’s Representation
The High-Level Dialogue formed part of broader conversations during the AfDB Annual Meetings focused on inclusive governance, gender equality, and sustainable development in Africa.
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