Africa doesn’t just need more leaders, it needs bolder ones

For Dr. Julius Kipngetich, CEO of Jubilee Holdings, the answer begins with character. Reputation is how others see you; character is who you are when no one is watching, he told a room full of leaders and professionals. It’s a piercing distinction in an age where social media optics often mask hollow values. 

Kipngetich introduced the concept of the “moonshot”, a bold, audacious goal that seems almost impossible but shapes how we lead and live. For some, that might mean ending generational poverty; for others, revolutionizing education or building pan-African enterprises. Whatever the vision, Kipngetich was clear: vision must be paired with strategy (the how) and planning (the discipline) to have any chance of success. These reflections were shared during the Transformational Leadership in a Dynamic Africa forum convened by author and lawyer Mary Wame. The meet held recently in Eldoret was a masterclass in modern leadership.

Kipngetich broke down the anatomy of a great CEO—not based on job performance, but mindset. He outlined five defining traits:

·       Visionary clarity – knowing where you're going and why.

·       Bravery – the courage to make tough or unpopular calls.

·       Wisdom – the ability to connect the dots backward and forward.

·       Passion – deep internal drive, rooted in purpose.

·       Communication – the skill to inspire through compelling storytelling.

In a continent where many still equate leadership with title or tenure, this profile was both a call to excellence and a reminder that the best leaders are deeply human, flawed, yes, but fiercely grounded.

FCS Catherine Musakali, Chairperson of the Women on Boards Network, offered another critical lens: the shift from specialist to generalist. For professionals looking to influence at board or executive levels, she urged the audience to intentionally diversify their leadership portfolios—across skills, relationships, and industries. In her words, leadership today requires not just expertise but elasticity.

Musakali’s advice on networking also hit a nerve. Too often, we equate visibility with value. It’s not about being loud, she said. It’s about being clear on your purpose in any room. That’s a subtle yet powerful reframe, especially for women or early-career leaders often socialized to either over-perform or fade into the background. Authenticity, not performance, is what builds real influence.

Then came the wake up call from Dr. Susan Koech, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya. She reminded attendees that leadership is not a popularity contest. It’s about making fact-based decisions that won’t always win applause, but are necessary. Leadership is situational, she said. It demands clarity, conviction, and the strength to hold the line, even when it’s lonely. In many African contexts, where public sentiment can shift overnight and political patronage often overshadows principle, this message was both timely and sobering.

Finally, Mary, the convener, invited participants to go inward. Through a moment she called The King's Code, she challenged the audience to speak life into their leadership journey out loud. Not as a performative act, but as a declaration of intent. These affirmations, simple but powerful, were a reminder that mindset is not a private thing. It is the ground zero of all meaningful leadership.