Leadership

Our Founders

H.E Paul Kagame

President of the Republic of Rwanda

H.E Paul Kagame

President of the Republic of Rwanda

H.E. Paul Kagame has been a transformative leader of Rwanda, turning the nation into a model of stability, economic growth, and technological advancement. Under his leadership, Rwanda has achieved inclusive growth and sustainable development, becoming one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies. A cornerstone of Rwanda’s social transformation has been the implementation of homegrown solutions—innovative approaches tailored to the nation’s unique challenges and opportunities—which have fostered resilience and self-reliance.

H.E Hailemariam Desalegn

Former Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

H.E Hailemariam Desalegn

Former Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn has made a profound contribution to governance and leadership in Africa, particularly during his tenure as Prime Minister of Ethiopia from 2012 to 2018. Under his leadership, Ethiopia underwent major economic reforms and emerged as one of the continent’s fastest-growing economies. His governance was marked by a focus on stability, sustainable development, and regional integration, while his leadership in conflict resolution—especially in the Horn of Africa—established him as a respected mediator and statesman.

The Governing Board

Mr. Makhtar Diop

Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and former Minister of Finance and Economy of Senegal.

Dr. Donald Kaberuka

Former President of the African Development Bank.

Professor Hajer Gueldich

Former Professor at the University of Carthage & Legal Counsel of the African Union.

Mr. Kishore Mahbubani

Former Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore.

Mr. Francis Gatare

President of ASG

ASG Executive Team

Mr. Francis Gatare

President of ASG

Prof. Amany Elsharif

Vice President, Academic Affairs

Mr. Mark Nkurunziza

Vice President, Finance and Operations

Mr. Mark Nkurunziza

Vice President, Finance and Operations

Mark Nkurunziza brings over 25 years of financial leadership experience to ASG. He has held key roles at MTN Rwanda, Rwanda Development Board, and Rwandair, excelling in financial management, strategic planning, and operational efficiency to advance impactful and sustainable development initiatives. Mark is a chartered accountant and a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). He holds an MBA in finance from the Maastricht School of Management and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology.

Dr. Jane Adhiambo Chiroma

Director of Academic Affairs and Associate Professor

Dr. Jane Adhiambo Chiroma

Director of Academic Affairs and Associate Professor

Dr. Jane Adhiambo Chiroma is a scholar and academic leader with extensive experience in quality assurance, curriculum development, digital education, and educational technology. She holds a PhD in Education Policy and a Master’s in Curriculum Development from Stellenbosch University in South Africa, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Jos ECWA Theological Seminary in Nigeria. Dr. Chiroma’s work bridges academic excellence and innovation, advancing educational practices that enhance learning outcomes and institutional quality across Africa.

Ms. Ngozichukwu C. Njemanze

Director of Strategic Planning and Chief of Staff

Ms. Ngozichukwu C. Njemanze

Director of Strategic Planning and Chief of Staff

Ms. Ngozichukwu C. Njemanze is a Certified Governance Auditor, Bank Examiner, and Chartered Secretary and Administrator, with a distinguished career in governance, strategy, and institutional leadership. A recognized corporate governance thought leader, she previously served as Principal Manager in the Financial System Stability Directorate of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), where she played a key role in strengthening financial oversight and regulatory frameworks. Before joining ASG, Ms. Njemanze worked for five years with the World Bank Group’s Legal Vice-Presidency in Washington, D.C., as a Legal Associate, contributing to international development law and governance initiatives. In her current role, she supports the ASG President in strategic planning, policy development, strategy execution, risk management, and the enhancement of corporate governance structures. She holds an LL.M. from Harvard Law School, an MBA from the Kogod School of Business at American University (Washington, D.C.), and an LL.B. (Second Class Upper Honours) from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

Aissatou Diajhate

Director of External Affairs and Acting Head of Admissions

Aissatou Diajhate

Director of External Affairs and Acting Head of Admissions

Ms. Aissatou Diajhate brings a wealth of experience in institutional partnerships, philanthropy, and student engagement to her leadership at ASG. She oversees strategic initiatives to strengthen the institution’s external relations and to streamline the admissions process for ASG’s inaugural student cohorts. She holds a Master of Development Administration (MDA) from Western Michigan University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, Senegal. Before joining ASG, Ms. Diajhate served as Chief of Staff and Advisor to the President & CEO of the Mastercard Foundation in Toronto, Canada. She also served as Country Representative for the Foundation in Ghana, Director of Programs at the Stephen Lewis Foundation, and Director of Admissions at Suffolk University’s inaugural African campus headquarters in Dakar, Senegal.

Dr. Alexander Ezenagu

Director of Policy Studies and Associate Professor; Co-Director Centre for Trade and Regional Integration

Dr. Alexander Ezenagu

Director of Policy Studies and Associate Professor; Co-Director Centre for Trade and Regional Integration

Dr. Alexander Ezenagu brings more than 15 years of legal and policy expertise across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. He previously served as Director of the AfCFTA Policy and Development Hub and Senior Research Fellow at Strathmore Business School in Kenya, and has taught at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar. His areas of specialization include public and private law, trade and tax law, investment law, environmental and construction law, regulatory compliance, and governance. He has provided consulting and advisory services to global institutions including UNDP, UNCTAD, and organizations across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong, Qatar, Kenya, and Nigeria. Dr. Ezenagu holds a PhD in Civil Law from McGill University (Canada), an LL.M. from the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom), and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Ibadan (Nigeria). He completed his post-doctoral training at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and has published widely in high-impact academic journals.

Our Founders

H.E Paul Kagame

H.E Hailemariam Desalegn

The Governing Board

Mr. Makhtar Diop

Dr. Donald Kaberuka

Professor Hajer Gueldich

Mr. Kishore Mahbubani

Mr. Francis Gatare

ASG Executive Team

Mr. Francis Gatare

Prof. Amany Elsharif

Mr. Mark Nkurunziza

Dr. Jane Adhiambo Chiroma

Ms. Ngozichukwu C. Njemanze

Aissatou Diajhate

Dr. Alexander Ezenagu

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