Development Leadership Dialogue (DLD) at SOAS University of London—co-directed by Ha-Joon Chang, Christopher Cramer, and Jonathan Di John—announces the 12th Future Leaders Programme (FLP), a high-impact leadership workshop focused on Economic Development in Africa: Critical Policies in a ‘New’ World.

When: 24–27 February 2026
Where: London, United Kingdom
Application Deadline: 5 December 2025

About the Future Leaders Programme (FLP)

The Future Leaders Programme is a flagship initiative of the Development Leadership Dialogue (DLD), designed to strengthen leadership capacity across Africa’s development landscape. DLD fosters meaningful dialogue and cross-sector learning between key actors who shape economic and social transformation—governments, private sector, civil society, international organizations, academia, and trade unions.

The FLP convenes a select group of emerging leaders who are expected to hold influential positions within the next 5–10 years. Participants engage in lectures, dialogues, debates, and workshops led by world-class experts with deep experience in policy-making, business, and research.

Theme: Economic Development in Africa in a ‘New’ Global Context

African policymakers, investors, and development practitioners are navigating a dramatically shifting global environment. Today’s landscape is marked by:

• Declining traditional aid flows

• Heightened geopolitical tensions and weaponized economic instruments

• Reconfigured global supply chains

• Strategic competition over critical minerals

• A global financial system that disproportionately disadvantages low- and middle-income countries

• Climate change and widening ecological risks

The 12th Future Leaders Programme will explore urgent questions shaping Africa’s economic future:

Key Issues Addressed

• What realistic strategies for structural transformation can African countries pursue?

• Which successful investment decisions and industrial policies within the continent offer models for others?

• What is genuinely possible in today’s global economy to ensure macroeconomic stability, employment generation, increased investment, and foreign exchange gains?

Participants will engage directly with leading thinkers and practitioners, including policymakers, scholars, investors, and business leaders.

Featured Presenters

• ‘Jide Olanrewaju

• Ken Opalo

• Arkebe Oqubay

• Zainab Usman

• Nimrod Zalk

• Plus, the DLD Co-Directors

These presenters bring rich insights into Africa’s development challenges and opportunities, providing participants with rigorous, practical knowledge.

Application Process

Applications are open to professionals from a wide range of sectors:

• Government agencies

• Private sector and corporate leaders

• Civil society organizations

• International organizations

• Trade unions

• Academia (with demonstrated applied development experience)

Application Requirements

Applicants must complete the online application form, including:

• CV

• Cover letter outlining current work and perspectives on strategic options for African countries

• Referee details (at least one)

Experience requirement:
Applicants are generally expected to have a minimum of 10 years of professional experience. Academics must demonstrate active engagement with development practitioners—governments, NGOs, private sector, or multilateral institutions.

Fees and Scholarships

• Programme Fee: £2000

• Financial Support:

  • Full scholarships are available covering programme fees, travel, accommodation, and subsistence in London.

  • Partial scholarships (fee-only) are also offered.

  • Scholarships are awarded based on the applicant’s personal circumstances to ensure equitable access.

👉 Apply Now: Submit your application via the online application form.

Source: https://www.soas.ac.uk/future-leaders-programme-12-economic-development-africa-critical-policies-new-world