A New Leadership Imperative for West Africa
By Dr. Vicki L. Otaruyina, The Elevation Coach
“Africa will be home to nearly 40% of the global youth population by 2100. What kind of leadership will guide their future?” — United Nations Population Fund
West Africa stands at a defining moment, shaped by youth-driven innovation, democratic progress, and rapid economic transformation. Yet amid these opportunities arises a critical question, Do we have the kind of leadership that can translate potential into progress?
Increasingly, the answer lies not in power or charisma, but in purpose.
Across Africa, leaders are being challenged to operate differently. The old models of hierarchical and transactional leadership are falling short in an era where trust in institutions is fragile, youth unemployment remains high, and calls for inclusive, values-based governance grow louder.
This is where purpose-driven leadership becomes both necessary and transformative.
Purpose-driven leadership is the act of leading from a clear, values-rooted “why.” It prioritizes long-term impact, integrity, and service to people, going beyond profit, position, or political gain. It is leadership anchored in meaning, and through that, it unlocks resilience, innovation, and credibility.
Why Purpose Matters Now, Especially in West Africa
1. The Trust Deficit Is Widening
A 2024 Afrobarometer survey revealed that only 34% of West Africans trust their national leaders, with even lower confidence in political parties and local governments. The business sector fares only slightly better. This reflects the urgent need for leadership that rebuilds trust through transparency, empathy, and shared vision, not authority alone.
2. The Youth Are Watching and Waiting
With more than 60% of West Africa’s population under 25, leadership today is also about mentoring and mobilizing the next generation. Many young people are disillusioned with leaders who lack purpose or moral conviction. A 2023 Mo Ibrahim Foundation report found that African youth rank “purpose and impact” above wealth, education, or influence as the most important traits in future leaders.
3. Purpose Drives Performance
Purpose is no longer a “soft” leadership quality, it’s a performance multiplier. Global studies by Deloitte and PwC show that organizations led by purpose-driven leaders achieve:
- 30% higher innovation
- 40% greater employee engagement
- 5x stronger brand trust
In West Africa, where productivity and talent retention are persistent challenges, this finding is especially crucial.
As The Elevation Coach, Dr. Otaruyina works with CEOs, government officials, and social entrepreneurs to help them lead with clarity, courage, and conviction. Through coaching, leadership intensives, and organizational transformation programs, she helps leaders:
- Align personal values with institutional goals
- Build cultures of meaning and accountability
- Inspire followership through authentic communication
- Create legacies that outlast their tenure
A Regional Opportunity, A Global Moment
West Africa is rich in ambition, what it needs now are leaders driven by a strong sense of why. The global emphasis on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), sustainable development, and conscious capitalism demands that African leaders not only compete economically but lead ethically and authentically.
It’s time for a new leadership imperative in West Africa, one that is bold, conscious, and anchored in purpose.
