OMLA’s vision is to empower One Million Leaders in Africa by 2030
OMLA’s vision is to empower One Million Leaders in Africa by 2030
How it all started
At the 2020 Next Leaders Africa Summit, 200 young Africans from 30 countries gathered and developed a vision for Africa.
A vision of an Africa that is green, circular, sustainable, free of poverty and food insecurity. With easy access to education, employment, economic opportunities and health care for everyone.
A continent in peace and harmony, an Africa where everyone can flourish regardless of gender, religion or ethnicity.
One Million Leaders Africa (OMLA) was born
Learn More about NELIS and the OML program in other regions
OMLA so far...
Over the past few years, we’ve made incredible strides with the OMLA program. Training over 2,390 passionate young minds in sustainable leadership and equipping them with essential skills in Social and Business Entrepreneurship. The OMLA 2023 Bootcamp was a life-transforming bootcamp where 100 young Africans from Farming communities were selected from 17 secondary schools in Ondo State, South western Nigeria.
The enthusiasm for our initiatives is evident. In 2022, we received applications from just over 100 aspiring leaders. Fast forward to 2023, and this number skyrocketed to an astounding 2,000+ applications, a testament to the growing interest in sustainable leadership and the visible impact of the OMLA program. With momentum on our side, we anticipate even greater interest and engagement in the upcoming application cycles. Join us in crafting the next generation of sustainable leaders.
Food Security
Climate Change
Agroforestry
Waste Mgt
ICT
Sustainable Education
The OMLA Fellowship Program
OMLA annually recruits young African talents who are awarded an OMLA Fellowship. They receive a two-month training in aspects as Leadership, Sustainability, Social innovation and Social entrepreneurship.
After their training, each fellow trains and mentors fifty other young people (Stars), who aspire to create social projects within their communities.
The Stars in their turn will train other young people (Starlets).
The OMLA Fellows, Stars and Starlets will run community projects during a one-year fellowship.
After completing the fellowship, they will become part of the OMLA Alumni community, a support network for One Million Leaders Africa.
Who can join?
We are looking for leaders who embody the values that reflect the community and commitment to the world we want to build.
Our One Million Leaders will embody the commitment:
I AM SET to change Africa for our future generations.
Integrity
Accountability
Modesty
Sustainability
Excellence
Teamwork
Upcoming Events Programs Activities
Tackling sustainable leadership from the Grassroot
The OMLA (One Million Leaders Africa) Bootcamp is a flagship project of the organization, aimed at high school students between the ages of 11 and 18. It is designed to take place during their summer break. The boot camp focuses on providing basic training in various areas, including sustainability, entrepreneurship, climate change, ICT (Information and Communication Technology), and career orientation and development. The program runs for a duration of one week.
Explore the different ways in which you can Join Us!
Invest in the Future: Support and help empower young sustainability leaders from Africa, Asia, Latin America (LATAM), and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in 2025.
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One Million Leaders Africa
Raising Leaders who will help put Africa on a more sustainable course.
Welcome to the month of March!
A new opportunity to reflect, to grow, and to intentionally prepare for what lies ahead.
This month carries something meaningful and extraordinary.
The OMLA Fellowship is approaching — a space designed to nurture visionary thinking, strengthen leadership capacity, and equip young Africans to create sustainable impact within their communities.
If you have been considering how to expand your influence, refine your ideas, or deepen your commitment to service and leadership, this is the time, watch out for the OMLA Fellowship Launch this month.
When opportunity meets preparation, growth becomes inevitable.
Stay attentive.
Stay intentional.
Something impactful is on the horizon.
Tag someone who should be part of this journey.
Comment “Ready” if you’re positioning yourself thoughtfully for what’s ahead.
#OMLAFellowship #NewMonthNewFocus #OneMillionLeadersAfrica #YouthLeadership #SustainableImpact #LeadershipDevelopment #AfricaRising #LeadWithPurpose
In the opening of From Third World to First, Lee Kuan Yew wrote:
“Public order, prosperity, and social progress are not the natural order of things. They depend on ceaseless effort and attention from an honest and effective government that the people must elect.”
This hits differently when you think about Africa.
What if progress isn’t something we wait for — but something we build?
What if the real transformation begins with:
• Leaders who value integrity over influence
• Citizens who demand accountability over handouts
• Young people who choose service over shortcuts
Africa doesn’t lack talent.
Africa doesn’t lack resources.
Africa doesn’t lack potential.
So what are we missing?
Is it leadership?
Is it systems?
Is it civic responsibility?
Or is it all of the above?
💬 Let’s talk:
👉 What does “honest and effective government” look like in your country?
👉 What responsibility do young Africans have beyond voting?
👉 If you were in leadership today, what is the first reform you would implement?
The next generation is not “the leaders of tomorrow.”
We are the leaders in preparation today.
Drop your thoughts below. Let’s build ideas — not just posts.
#AfricanLeadership #Governance #YouthInLeadership #AfricaRising
