Continental platform
Africa Emerging Leaders Conference & Awards
A cross-border gathering for visionary Africans to learn, connect and celebrate leadership advancing the continent.
Explore AELCA
Leadership. Empowerment. Recognition.
Raising the leaders Africa needs next.
WALEC brings emerging leaders, policymakers, scholars, entrepreneurs and changemakers together to exchange ideas, build capacity and turn leadership potential into measurable public impact.
- Cross-border dialogue
- Leadership development
- Impact recognition
01
ConveneIdeas and people across borders
02
EquipLeaders with practical insight
03
ConnectPeers, mentors and institutions
04
RecognizeImpact that deserves visibility
Our conviction
Africa's future will be shaped by prepared leaders who choose courage, competence and service.
About WALEC
A platform for leadership that moves communities forward.
The West African Leadership and Empowerment Centre creates spaces where difficult regional questions can be examined honestly and practical solutions can emerge.
- We convene leaders, scholars, policymakers, innovators and young changemakers.
- We promote leadership rooted in responsibility, collaboration and sustainable impact.
- We spotlight emerging leaders whose work can inspire wider action across Africa.
What we do
Platforms built for learning, connection and recognition.
Each WALEC program is designed to move people from inspiration to stronger relationships, sharper thinking and meaningful action.
National recognition
Nigeria Emerging Leaders Awards
A platform recognizing Nigerians whose innovation, courage and service are creating visible impact across sectors.
Explore NELA
Capacity and dialogue
Leadership Summits & Empowerment
Conversations, workshops and knowledge exchange that strengthen the people and institutions shaping West Africa.
View program overview
A call to leadership
The continent does not lack talent. It needs more pathways for talent to lead.
WALEC exists to create those pathways: rooms where new ideas are taken seriously, networks where collaboration becomes possible and platforms where impact is seen.
Build with us
Next event
One room. Many sectors. A shared responsibility for Africa's progress.
Lagos 2026
Africa Emerging Leaders Conference & Awards
Friday, 28 August 2026
Meet leaders, builders and changemakers moving Africa forward.
AELCA convenes visionary leaders from across the continent to strengthen regional collaboration, exchange practical insight and recognize Africans creating meaningful progress.
VenueLagos Oriental Hotel
Time9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
CityLagos, Nigeria
AdmissionFree registration
Recent journey
Building momentum across West Africa.
WALEC's platforms continue to bring emerging and established leaders into conversations that encourage collaboration, recognition and responsible leadership.
Accra convening
The Africa Emerging Leaders Conference and Awards brought leaders and institutions together at the British Council Auditorium in Accra.
The Frontliners
The third Nigeria Emerging Leaders Awards celebrated exceptional Nigerians leading from the front and creating impact across sectors.
Lagos, next
AELCA returns to Lagos to deepen cross-border connections and focus attention on Africans advancing progress, unity and development.
Partner with WALEC
Help create the rooms where Africa's next leaders are seen and strengthened.
Institutions, companies, foundations, media partners and experienced professionals can contribute through sponsorship, collaboration, mentorship, knowledge and visibility.
01
Regional reach
Join conversations that connect actors and ideas across West Africa and the wider continent.
02
Credible visibility
Align your institution with leadership, youth development and meaningful community impact.
03
Shared expertise
Contribute practical knowledge, speakers, mentors and resources to strengthen participants.
04
Long-term networks
Build relationships with leaders, institutions and innovators committed to Africa's progress.