"There are hopeful signs such as NEPAD, Pan African Parliament, AU, Peer Review mechanism, and dreams of an African Renaissance. But these could end up mere empty acronyms unless Africa produces leaders who are allergic to self-aggrandizement, leaders who understand that a true, a real leader exists ultimately for the sake of the led. This book is a welcome aid to help aspirant and incumbent leaders to become such good leaders."

As the subtitle a framework for African Renaissance leaders indicates, this book combines the challenges of Africa’s development and leadership theory. Since proper assessment of a particular context – with its historical, philosophical, political, social and technological facets – is crucial for effective leadership, I have attempted to provide sufficient information about Africa to contextualise the leadership challenge. I will begin with a chapter on the essence of leadership. I argue that leadership, to stand the test of time, has to come from the will to serve others. It has been modelled by Nelson Mandela whose legacy will inspire African leaders for generations to come. I also make a case for a more holistic and deeper understanding of leadership than what we are familiar with in modern organisations where a combination of positional authority and functional competence are viewed as the makeup of good leadership. I discuss the important role of vision in a leader’s efforts to influence and mobilise others. The African Renaissance dream is such a vision.