Future Leaders Programme 12: Economic Development in Africa: Critical Policies in a ‘New’ World
Future Leaders Programme 12
Development Leadership Dialogue (DLD) at SOAS University of London, co-directed by Ha-Joon Chang, Christopher Cramer, and Jonathan Di John, announces its 12th Future Leaders Programme (FLP) on Economic Development in Africa: Critical Policies in a ‘New’ World.
- When: 24–27 February 2026
- Where: London
- Deadline: 5 December 2025
About
About the Future Leaders Programme (FLP)
DLD promotes dialogue and mutual learning between the key actors that drive economic and social development – governments, private firms, civil society organizations, international organizations, trade unions, academia, and others – and that often operate in separate spheres, understanding each other poorly, even seeing each other as adversaries.
The FLP is one of the key programmes of DLD, bringing together a small number of people who will be in leadership positions in the next five to ten years in different sectors of the development community for a workshop of lectures, discussion sessions, and debates, led by speakers with a wealth of senior experience in government, international organizations, and academia.
Economic Development in Africa: Critical Policies in a ‘New’ World
African decision makers in governments, firms, and other organizations are buffeted by difficulties in the global economy: the shrinkage of traditional aid funds, uncertainties around geopolitics and weaponized economic policy instruments, shifting supply chains, transactional pressures around access to so-called critical minerals, a global financial system with built-in asymmetries that works against the long-term interests of low- and middle-income countries, and climate change and other ecological crises.
DLD’s 12th Future Leaders Programme (FLP) addresses these and related questions:
What realistic strategies for structural transformation can they design in this context?
What effective investment decisions and policies have been adopted within the continent, which others might adapt and be inspired by?
What is the range of the possible – for managing economic stability and sustained higher rates of investment, generating returns, creating jobs, and producing foreign exchange earnings?
We bring speakers with a wealth of experience and insights – people with experience as policy officials, as business leaders and investors, and as scholars.
Our fabulous presenters, leading sessions that allow for input from and dialogue with our participants, include: ‘Jide Olanrewaju, Ken Opalo, Arkebe Oqubay, Zainab Usman, Nimrod Zalk, as well as Co-Directors of DLD.
Application process
Applications are welcome from people from different sectors – governments, the corporate sector, civil society, international organizations, trade unions, etc. Applicants should complete the online application form, uploading a CV and a cover letter explaining their work and their view on the strategic options for African countries to address current challenges while building the productive capabilities required for structural change. They should also include the details of at least one referee whom we may contact, if required.
Applicants are normally expected to have at least ten years’ experience in their fields. If they are from academia, they should provide evidence that they have worked with development practitioners – in national governments, international organisations, the private sector, or CSOs.
The fee for the course is £2000, however we do not want finances to be a barrier to the participation of qualified applicants. Full scholarships are available covering the fees as well as travel, accommodation and subsistence in London and are awarded in consideration of the applicant’s personal circumstances. Partial scholarships (covering the fee only) are also available.
Header image credit: James Wiseman via Unsplash.
