The Panel's Focus
The discussion will address both the architecture and practice of cross-sector partnerships. Participants will explore the structural elements that make partnerships work (governance frameworks, accountability mechanisms, resource alignment) alongside the human dimensions that determine their success (trust, power dynamics, cultural adaptation). The panel will examine specific cases where collaboration unlocked outcomes impossible through individual effort, while also addressing the difficult realities of partnership building: managing conflicts, negotiating compromises, and determining when relationships should be repaired or abandoned.
The session aims to provide practical insights for leaders at different stages. For those already engaged in partnerships, it offers frameworks for strengthening existing collaborations. For emerging leaders with limited institutional power, it presents strategies for initiating strategic relationships and avoiding common pitfalls.
The Moderator
Raymond Mujuni, Deputy Director of the African Institute for Investigative Journalism and YELP Fellow (Class of 2017), will moderate the discussion. His background in investigative journalism and leadership development positions him to guide the conversation toward substantive insights on how partnerships function in practice.
The Panelists
Michael Kayemba, Associate Partner at AXUM, specializes in private sector innovation and corporate partnerships. His work on scaling social impact through business collaboration addresses a persistent challenge: how to align corporate incentives with social outcomes in ways that produce genuine results rather than ceremonial partnerships. Kayemba will discuss how private sector resources and capabilities can be channeled toward public benefit through structured collaboration.
Emmanuel Awori, Partnership Lead at LéO Africa Institute, designs and manages the organization's strategic partnerships. His operational role provides direct knowledge of what differentiates successful partnerships from those that fail. Awori will discuss the practical mechanics of partnership building, including how to align diverse organizational interests, manage competing priorities, and build structures that sustain collaboration over time.
Lucy Mbabazi, Managing Director of the Better Than Cash Alliance and Emeritus Board Chair of LéO Africa Institute, leads initiatives in digital financial inclusion at a global scale. Her experience spans both international partnerships and board governance, offering perspective on how partnerships function at different organizational levels. Joining virtually, Mbabazi will address how to structure relationships that enable genuine co-creation between parties with unequal resources and influence.
Mohammed Okash, Director of the ICE Institute and YELP Fellow (Class of 2018), works at the intersection of research, strategy, and policy development. His focus on evidence-based approaches to development challenges requires bridging gaps between academic research and policy implementation. Okash will discuss how to build partnerships that navigate different institutional timelines and translate research findings into actionable policy, addressing the tension between analytical rigor and practical urgency.
Linda Mutesi, Co-founder of the Future Generations Foundation, operates in philanthropy and resource mobilization with an emphasis on systems change. Her work involves designing partnerships that mobilize capital while building institutional capacity and elevating community leadership. Mutesi will address how partnerships can create space for emerging voices and ensure that collaborative structures strengthen rather than replicate existing power imbalances.
Why This Panel Matters
As the opening substantive session of ALG 2025, this panel sets the analytical framework for discussions that follow. It establishes that leadership impact is ultimately measured not by individual achievement but by what leaders enable others to accomplish collectively. The session directly connects individual capability to systemic outcomes, demonstrating how excellence in one sector becomes transformational when linked to excellence in others.
The panel will conclude with a forward-looking question for participants: What partnerships does Africa most need to develop in the coming decade, and who needs to be brought into conversation who currently sits outside these discussions?
The Annual Leaders Gathering 2025 takes place in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. Registration and additional program details are available through LéO Africa Institute.
