A CONTINENTAL COMMITMENT
It is my hope that the Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) will make a real difference in the resolution of the challenges that confront Africa, through a vibrant and robust debate, interrogating current paradigms, and offering new approaches.
PHOTOGRAPH BY POOL-THEANA CALITZ-BILT, AP
OUR FOUNDATION
President Mandela’s legacy is rooted in a profound commitment to human dignity, justice, and collective progress. His leadership was not centred on individual achievement but on collective transformation, grounded in the belief that sustainable change emerges through shared effort and mutual responsibility.
Collaboration was central to Mandela’s leadership philosophy. He consistently demonstrated that meaningful progress cannot be achieved in isolation. Mandela valued participation and partnership, ensuring that diverse stakeholders contributed to decision-making processes.
15 YEARS OF IMPACT
For 15 years, MINDS Africa has been at the forefront of Pan-African dialogue bringing together thinkers, policymakers, and emerging leaders to shape the continent’s future.From its beginnings as a bold idea to its role today as a respected think tank, MINDS has championed governance, economic development, and institution-building across Africa.
To have African societies attain democracy, economic prosperity, social inclusiveness as well as their rightful place in the global community on a basis of a keen self-awareness.
To provide a forum for dialogue, information dissemination and networking, underpinned by rigorous research on the different elements of African Heritage.
OUR COLLECTIVE IMPACT
Over the years, MINDS has directly supported and engaged 758 young leaders across the continent through its core development program. Electoral governance training, pan-African youth mobilisation, and postgraduate leadership development form part of this growing network, reflecting our long-term commitment to strengthening African leadership from within.
THE IMPERATIVE
Across Africa, strengthening policy formulation and implementation remains a key priority for sustainable development. Established in 2010, the Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) is a pan-African think tank committed to addressing this gap. By combining research on African heritage and institutional development with dialogue and networking, MINDS efforts help shape policies grounded in local knowledge, and values, supporting socio-economic progress across the continent.
THE NEXT DECADE
In its second decade MINDS’ is committed to a 2021–2031 Strategy. This strategy sets out clear areas of action to strengthen Africa’s development. It prioritises intra-African trade through support for economic integration and reciprocal value chains, elevates African systems of knowledge to inform policy and practice, and invests in youth as central actors in shaping the continent’s future. The strategy also connects Africans on the continent and in the diaspora, celebrating Africa’s contributions to global knowledge, while building the institutional capacity of MINDS to deliver this work at scale.
The Mandela Institute for Development Studies is founded as a pan-African think tank.
Inaugural high-level dialogue held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The program is established to ground development in African knowledge systems.
The Youth Program in Elections and Governance is introduced.
First Youth Dialogue on Elections and Governance held in Rwanda.
Continental dialogue convened in Dar es Salaam.
Youth civic education workshops delivered across multiple African regions.
Second Youth Dialogue hosted in Victoria Falls.
Dialogue on governance and industrial development held in Maputo.
MINDS launches its flagship Scholarship Program in Leadership Development.
High-level dialogue convened in Rabat to support program rollout.
Youth leadership initiatives expand across the continent.
Seven scholars awarded in the inaugural intake.
High-level dialogue on African economic integration held in Gaborone.
Youth civic education workshop delivered in Johannesburg.
Workshop on Afrocentric development convened in Johannesburg.
Inaugural summit launched in partnership with continental stakeholders.
Leadership Development Program delivered.
Program expanded to West Africa.
MINDS marks fifteen years of impact across Africa.
Dialogue convened in Mombasa to strengthen cross-generational leadership.
Program delivered in Cairo.
MINDS partners with reputable institutions to strengthen knowledge networks
MINDS’ engagement approach brings together diverse stakeholders create trusted spaces for continental networking.
MINDS prioritises transparency, ensuring accessibility to research and insights.
MINDS embraces diversity, to promote critical thinking and dynamic exchange.
Upholding the high values expected of a “privileged child” of the Mandela legacy.
meet the team
PHOTOGRAPH BY POOL-THEANA CALITZ-BILT, AP
Values and Character Anchoring MINDS Values
President Mandela’s legacy is rooted in a profound commitment to human dignity, justice, and collective progress. His leadership was not centred on individual achievement but on collective transformation, grounded in the belief that sustainable change emerges through shared effort and mutual responsibility.
Collaboration was central to Mandela’s leadership philosophy. He consistently demonstrated that meaningful progress cannot be achieved in isolation. Mandela valued participation and partnership, ensuring that diverse stakeholders contributed to decision-making processes.
He envisioned a society where all individuals, regardless of race, background, or political allegiance, had a voice and a role in shaping the future. During South Africa’s democratic transition, he prioritised national unity by engaging former adversaries in rebuilding the country rather than excluding them. This inclusive approach demonstrated that sustainable peace and development require broad participation, mutual respect, and recognising diversity as both a moral and strategic strength.
Mandela also deeply valued dialogue as a tool for reconciliation and progress. He believed that open, honest conversation was essential for resolving conflict and building understanding across divides. Even during his imprisonment, he initiated dialogue with government representatives, laying the groundwork for negotiations that ultimately ended apartheid. His willingness to listen as much as to speak reflected respect for differing perspectives and reinforced dialogue as a cornerstone of effective leadership.
Openness was another defining feature of Mandela’s leadership. He remained adaptable, receptive to new ideas, and willing to evolve in response to changing circumstances. This openness allowed him to build trust, engage across divides, and make pragmatic decisions in complex political environments. It also reinforced transparency and encouraged innovation, collaboration, and inclusive governance.
Mandela’s leadership was further strengthened by intellectual rigour and discipline. His commitment to continuous learning, strategic thinking, and reflection, particularly during his imprisonment, enabled him to lead with clarity and purpose. His methodical approach to decision-making highlights the importance of preparation, analysis, and perseverance in achieving long-term goals.
Mandela placed immense importance on education as a fundamental driver of freedom, equality, and empowerment. He famously stated, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” He believed that education not only provides skills and knowledge but also fosters dignity, critical thinking, and the ability to participate fully in society. Throughout his life, he advocated for accessible, quality education for all children, viewing it as essential to breaking cycles of poverty and building a just, democratic society.
Finally, another key aspect of his legacy is Pan-African leadership. Mandela viewed South Africa’s liberation as inseparable from Africa’s broader development and emphasised continental unity and solidarity.
Founder and Trustee
Dr. Nkosana Moyo, is a Zimbabwean economist, physicist, and seasoned leader in African development. He holds a PhD in Physics from Imperial College London, an MBA from Cranfield School of Management, and is an Eisenhower Fellow.
Dr. Moyo has held senior leadership roles including Vice President & COO of the African Development Bank, Minister of Industry & International Trade of Zimbabwe, and Managing Partner for Africa at Actis Capital. He has served on numerous corporate and advisory boards, co-chaired the World Economic Forum Africa Council, and contributed to institutions such as the Africa Leadership Institute, Investment Climate Facility, London Business School, and SOAS, University of London.
Trustee and Chairperson
Graça Machel, is an African stateswoman and global advocate for women, children, and social development. A former freedom fighter and Mozambique’s first Minister of Education, she authored the groundbreaking UNICEF report “The Impact of Armed Conflict on Children” and has since championed global health, child welfare, and women’s rights.
Machel serves in leadership roles across international and African organizations, including The Elders, Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Africa Child Policy Forum, and Education Above All, and as Chancellor of the University of Cape Town and African Leadership University. She has founded multiple NGOs, including the Graça Machel Trust, focusing on women’s empowerment, education, and good governance, and has received numerous awards, including the UN Nansen Refugee Award, honorary Dame Commander of the British Empire, and the WHO Gold Medal.
Trustee
Rachel Nyaradzo Adams is the founder of Narachi Leadership, a boutique consultancy empowering transformational leaders across Africa. She combines neuroscience, psychology, biomimicry, and ontology to provide holistic leadership development for corporates, entrepreneurs, teams, and individuals.
An award-winning scholar and leader, Rachel is a Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow, Mandela Rhodes Scholar, and Mellon Mays Award recipient, with a master’s in African studies from Oxford and undergraduate degrees from the University of Cape Town. She has delivered keynotes at the UN, TEDx, Yale, and Obama Leaders, and works with senior leadership across global corporations including Discovery, ABSA, L’Oreal, Danone, and Nedbank.
Advisory Board
Dr. Donald Kaberuka is a Rwandan economist and former President of the African Development Bank Group, serving two five-year terms from 2005 to 2015. He guided the Bank’s strategic shift toward private sector development, infrastructure, and regional integration, strengthening Africa’s premier financial institution.
Before the AfDB, Dr. Kaberuka served as Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, leading post-conflict economic reconstruction, major reforms, and debt cancellation under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative. He holds a PhD in Economics from Glasgow University and studied at universities in Tanzania and Scotland.
Advisory Board
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a Nigerian economist and former Finance and Foreign Affairs Minister of Nigeria, and former Managing Director of the World Bank. She led Nigeria’s economic reforms, restoring macroeconomic stability, promoting growth, and advancing transparency and anti-corruption initiatives.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is a Distinguished Fellow of the Brookings Institution, founder of NOI-Gallup Polls, co-founder of the Makeda Fund, and serves on multiple boards including the World Resources Institute, Clinton Global Initiative, and Mo Ibrahim Foundation. She holds an A.B. in Economics from Harvard University and a PhD in Regional Economics and Development from MIT.
Advisory Board
Francis Daniels has over 15 years of experience investing across Africa and serves as a director of Africa Opportunity Partners, the investment manager of Africa Opportunity Fund Limited, listed on the London Stock Exchange Specialist Fund Segment. He sits on the boards of Masawara PLC in Zimbabwe and Triton Resources, Inc. in Canada and is a member of the supervisory board of the Meridiam Africa Infrastructure Fund.
An attorney admitted to practice in New York, Mr. Daniels holds an LL.B from the University of Ghana, an LL.M from the University of Toronto, and dual LL.M and LL.M (Corporations) degrees from NYU Law School. He is currently based in Johannesburg.
Advisory Board
Monica Geingos is a Namibian lawyer, entrepreneur, and global advocate for women’s leadership and public health. She is the former First Lady of Namibia and has led national and continental initiatives focused on youth empowerment, gender equality, and HIV prevention.
She has held leadership roles in the private sector, including as Managing Director of Namibia’s largest private equity fund, and has served on multiple corporate boards across financial services and investment. She is a founding member of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) Steering Committee and continues to influence policy and advocacy across Africa.
Advisory Board
Nigerian national, Adebayo Olukoshi is the director of the United Nations African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP). Prior to that position, Olukoshi held the posts Research Professor and Director of Research and Studies at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs. He was also a Senior Research Fellow/Research Programme Coordinator of the Nordic Africa Institute (NAI) in Uppsala and Senior Programme Staff at the South Centre in Geneva. Until March 2009, he was Executive Secretary of the Council for Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA). He holds a PHD in Politics from the University of Leeds.
Advisory Board
Dr Trevor Manuel served as South Africa’s Minister of Finance for 13 years and previously as Minister of Trade and Industry. From 2009 to 2014, he led the National Planning Commission in the Presidency.
An internationally recognized leader, he has been named Global Leader for Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum and Africa’s Finance Minister of the Year, and has held leadership roles with the IMF, World Bank, DBSA, and AfDB. Since 2014, he has served as Worldwide Senior Advisor and Deputy Chairman of Rothschild South Africa and is Chancellor of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
Advisory Board
Prof. Alice Mogwe is a Motswana human rights lawyer and activist. She serves as President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and is the founder and director of Ditshwanelo, the Botswana Centre for Human Rights. Through this work, she has advanced civil liberties, expanded access to justice, and strengthened social accountability across Botswana and the Southern African region.
Her work focuses on political freedoms, the abolition of the death penalty, and the protection of vulnerable groups such as women, children, and indigenous communities. She works closely with civil society, governments, and international institutions. Her leadership continues to shape human rights advocacy at both regional and global level.
Advisory Board
Noureddine Ayed is a Tunisian electro-engineer with over 30 years of experience leading industrial projects and international trade missions. Educated in Liège, Belgium, he has developed strategic partnerships and provided technical assistance across Tunisia, Egypt, Cameroon, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Qatar, the Philippines, and the USA.
He has been recognised as Businessman of the Year (2008), Honorary President of the Tunisian Businessmen World Association, and received awards from Italy, Thailand, and the Philippines. Since 2004, he has served as Honorary Consul of Malaysia to Tunisia.
Advisory Board
Prof. Aomar Boum is a Moroccan anthropologist and academic specialising in African and Middle Eastern studies. He is a Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where his work examines memory, migration, and minority communities in North Africa.
His research explores identity, displacement, and cultural preservation across the region. He has contributed to global scholarship on African history and society through widely published work. Prof. Boum has authored and co-authored several books and continues to collaborate with international institutions across research and education.
Patron
His Excellency Festus Mogae is a Botswanan economist and former President (1998–2008). He holds a B.A. in Economics from Oxford and an M.A. in Development Economics from Sussex and began his career in Botswana’s Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, rising to Permanent Secretary.
He served as Executive Director of the IMF, Governor of the Bank of Botswana, Vice-President, and Minister of Finance before becoming President. During his career, he contributed to numerous economic and development institutions, including Botswana Development Corporation, National Development Bank, De Beers Botswana, and Botswana Meat Commission. He is a Mo Ibrahim laureate, honored by five African countries, and holds eight honorary degrees from institutions across Africa, the UK, USA, and Australia.
Patron
His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo served as President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 and has since been a leading advocate for African democracy and development. He was appointed UN Special Envoy for Africa and the Great Lakes region, overseeing elections and mediating conflicts, and co-led the creation of the African Peer Review Mechanism and NEPAD with former South African President Thabo Mbeki.
He founded the African Leadership Forum and the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, promoting leadership, state capacity, private enterprise, youth empowerment, education for girls, health, and food security. He also advises New World Capital, providing investment advisory and market access across Africa.
Patron
Pedro Pires, born in 1934, is a Capeverdean freedom fighter and statesman. He led the delegation negotiating the independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde, served as Prime Minister (1975–1991), Member of Parliament (1975–2001), and President of Cape Verde (2001–2011, reelected 2006).
He has received honoris causa degrees from the Federal University of Ceará, Brazil, and the Technical University of Lisbon, and is a Mo Ibrahim laureate. He leads the Pedro Pires Institute for Leadership and the Amilcar Cabral Foundation, and serves on the Africa Forum, West African Commission on Drugs, and juries for the Gulbenkian and UNESCO Jose Marti Prizes, as well as acting as UNCCD Ambassador of Drylands and Honorary Board Advisor of the Africa Foundation for Governance and Leadership.
Get notified about new articles