Moghalu: Africa’s economic productivity hampered by leadership challenges

Kingsley Moghalu, former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and president of the African School of Governance (ASG), has advocated the adoption of African indigenous leadership practices as models to enhance economic productivity.

Speaking during the ‘Toyin Falola Interviews’ on Sunday, Moghalu highlighted the unique potential of the practices in addressing Africa’s challenges while fostering development.

Moghalu emphasised the untapped value of African leadership philosophies, noting that the foundation of societal development lies in values and ethics, which should underpin leadership and governance.

“Africa has indigenous and innovative leadership thoughts and practices that can be used to organise societies for productivity,” he said.

“We talk about Africa’s problems, but Africa has a lot to teach the world on indigenous leadership models to solve its own challenges.

“There must be governing values, and then you place systems on top of those values. If you do not do that and just move to create systems, the absence of values and ethics will sabotage the best systems.

“In Africa, we are where we are not because we don’t have brilliant people but because of the problem of mindset. The right mindsets have not been created in people to be brought into leadership positions.

“Leadership is the single most powerful determinant of social and economic progress. A leadership that is competent, conceptually sound, and disciplined can design economic systems that work.”

Moghalu said African leaders are copying foreign models they do not understand to lead their countries.

“Sadly, in many parts of Africa, we are just busy copying and pasting models that we do not understand,” he said.

“Until you come to this level, any attempt to design a system—whether political, constitutional, or economic—that is not resting on a philosophical foundation will fall like a pack of cards.

“When you don’t have the right kind of leadership, such leadership may not recognise the importance of a politically and economically educated population for societal progress.”

The economist called for ethical and value-driven leadership in Africa, reaffirming the mission of the ASG to train future leaders equipped with the philosophical tools necessary for transformation.