Africa Needs More Confident Voices: Why Communication Coaching Is Key to Our Next Generation of Leaders

By Tolulope Ekwe
Did you know that up to 60% of African youth feel they lack the confidence to speak publicly or lead teams—despite having the necessary skills?In an era when African innovation is rising, a quieter crisis is brewing: the crisis of self-doubt. While our economies expand and our digital spaces thrive, many of our brightest minds are being sidelined—not by lack of competence, but by lack of confidence.

From classrooms to boardrooms, across non-profits, startups, and civil service institutions, one issue persists: voices are going unheard.Confidence, today, is not a “nice-to-have.” It’s a non-negotiable survival skill, particularly for young people and women navigating underemployment, limited leadership opportunities, and cultural expectations.

Yet the ability to express oneself clearly, assertively, and compassionately remains underdeveloped across much of our education system. That gap is hurting us—not just personally, but collectively.This is deeply personal to me. I once struggled with invisibility and the fear of public speaking. I know what it feels like to shrink back in spaces where you have something important to contribute. But through coaching, intentional practice, and faith, I rewrote that narrative.

Today, as an international speaker, author, and communication coach, I’m on a mission to help others do the same—particularly those who’ve never been told their voice matters.

Linking Communication Coaching to the SDGs

Africa is at a pivotal moment. Our tech industries are expanding, cultural narratives are shifting, and youth and women are leading with bold new ideas. But for this transformation to be sustainable, we must equip people not only with technical know-how but with the confidence and communication tools that drive influence. This is where communication coaching intersects powerfully with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Take SDG 4: Quality Education. We often think of education in terms of literacy, numeracy, or professional training. But real, lifelong learning must include the emotional and relational skills necessary to thrive in a modern world. Communication is core to that. When a young professional learns how to pitch an idea clearly, negotiate with confidence, or lead a team meeting effectively, they are practicing applied education—and becoming an asset to their organization and society.

Or consider SDG 5: Gender Equality. Across Africa, women continue to be underrepresented in leadership and overrepresented in silence. From subtle biases in the boardroom to deep-seated cultural norms at home, many women are discouraged from speaking up. Confidence coaching directly addresses this by creating safe spaces for women to rediscover their voices, overcome imposter syndrome, and speak with authority. Empowering women to express themselves is not just a personal win—it’s a structural step toward a more balanced, inclusive society.

Then there is SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing. We often overlook how emotional suppression, poor communication, and broken relationships impact mental health. When couples cannot connect, when professionals feel invisible, when leaders are isolated—it takes a toll. My work with The Marriage Series, one-on-one coaching, and group workshops is about more than just better communication; it’s about emotional resilience, healing, and growth. True wellness includes the ability to express, connect, and belong.Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of coaching over 200 professionals, women, and couples across Nigeria and beyond through platforms like The Confident Speaker Bootcamp, my private coaching sessions, and The Marriage Series on LinkedIn Live—which has had a cumulative audience of over 7,500 attendees since its inception. My approach is unique because it is African at heart. It is culturally grounded—respecting our shared values of faith, family, and purpose. It is spiritually enriched—nurturing the inner voice as much as the outer one. And it is actionably empowering—designed to produce real results in real lives.Whether it’s helping a woman executive present with authority, guiding a team to improve their workplace culture, or equipping couples to build deeper emotional intimacy, the transformation is visible. And it starts with voice.Africa doesn’t lack talent. It lacks amplified voices. And that’s a gap we can—and must—close.So, if you are a corporate leader looking to empower your teams, an educator wanting to develop emotionally intelligent students, a community leader advocating for gender inclusion, or simply someone on a personal journey toward visibility—this is your invitation.

Let’s Connect

Let’s raise a generation of bold, confident communicators who can lead, inspire, and transform our continent from the inside out.You can connect with me via email at teeceeek@gmail.com or visit www.toluekwe.com to learn more. Sign up for the Confident Speaker Bootcamp, or join me live for The Marriage Series. Let’s nurture the voices that will shape a better Africa—one conversation at a time.

About Author

Tolulope Ekwe is a marriage coach, public speaker, and author of 12 children’s books for morals instruction and family bonding, as well as coauthor of two Amazon bestsellers, Lessons We Learned from COVID-19 and Raging Waters, a marriage novel written with her husband of 21 years.

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