DAI is proud to share the results of a new research project by Dr. Kelly Kumbu, DAI International Strategy Director. Dr. Kumbu’s qualitative study reveals today’s most urgent leadership needs in sub-Saharan Africa, with special attention paid to women in leadership and youth leadership.
Read the complete study here:
En français : Recherche – Besoins urgents et pressants en matière de leadership en Afrique subsaharienne
Abstract
This qualitative study investigates urgent leadership needs in sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, it examines barriers hindering women in leadership and influence positions, offering practical insights that can pave the way for their access to higher leadership positions. The study also explores the knowledge and skills necessary to bolster youth leadership and the programs required to enhance their leadership capacity. Data were gathered through a focus group of pivotal DAI Africa leadership, a survey of 528 Christian leaders, and semi-structured interviews with 35 male and female Christian leaders serving across twelve countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
The findings reveal that (1) integrity, (2) vision, (3) capacity to promote the development of others, and (4) trustworthiness are the top four qualities African Christian leaders view as critical for effective leadership. This indicates the importance of character in African Christian leadership. Also crucial to African Christian leadership are five essentials: (1) integrity, (2) listening to God, (3) conflict resolution, (4) servant leadership, and (5) communication skills. Furthermore, the study indicates that the five strategic areas where African Christian leaders would benefit from targeted capacity-building and training are as follows: (1) spiritual growth and soul care, (2) strategic planning and implementation, (3) communication and interpersonal skills, (4) governance and finance, and (5) leadership succession planning.
This study also uncovered five obstacles hindering women in leadership and influence positions: (1) gender bias, (2) family responsibilities, (3) restrictive policies regarding women in leadership, (4) less-developed female leadership networks, and (5) sex discrimination at work. Further, the study revealed that the means for providing women the opportunity and capacity to lead include (1) empowering women through leadership development and training, (2) building women’s confidence as leaders, (3) fostering mentoring relationships, (4) addressing bias and stereotypes regarding women in leadership, and (5) creating networking platforms.
Conclusions drawn from these findings are as follows: (1) character still matters in African Christian leadership, (2) doing leadership development holistically is the way forward in Africa, (3) empowering women in leadership requires a comprehensive approach, and (4) Christian youth leadership development is best achieved through a cyclical approach. These key insights assist leader developers in sub-Saharan Africa with strategies for developing and equipping African Christian leaders—including women and youth—to advance the missio Dei through Christ-centered leadership.
