Africa does not have a leadership problem, we have a systemic problem

For decades, Africa’s challenges have often been reduced to one explanation: bad leadership. When economies struggle, public services fail, corruption rises or citizens lose trust in government, we point to the person at the top. And while leadership undoubtedly matters, I believe this explanation misses a deeper problem.

Africa does not simply have a leadership problem. We have a systemic problem.

A strong country cannot depend on the character of one president, minister or public official. Good governance should not exist simply because a good person happens to be in power. It should exist because institutions, laws and systems make accountability unavoidable.

This distinction matters. Leaders come and go, but institutions remain. When institutions are weak, a bad leader can manipulate them, avoid accountability and concentrate power. When institutions are strong, even an imperfect leader operates within boundaries. Courts can challenge unlawful decisions. Parliament can scrutinise the executive. Independent institutions can investigate corruption. Journalists and civil society can question those in power, and citizens can demand answers.

The evidence suggests that Africans themselves are asking for this kind of governance. Afrobarometer's 2024 research across 39 African countries found that 66% of Africans prefer democracy to other forms of government, while large majorities reject one-person and one-party rule. At the same time, only 37% said they were satisfied with how democracy works in their countries. Afrobarometer found that declining confidence in democracy is particularly linked to political failures such as corruption, poor-quality elections, weak rule of law, and a lack of presidential accountability.

The problem, therefore, is not that Africans do not understand or desire accountable government. Too often, the institutions meant to deliver it are not strong enough.

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation's 2024 Ibrahim Index of African Governance paints a similar picture. It found that overall governance progress across Africa had effectively stalled, with deteriorating security and democratic participation threatening gains in economic and human development. Importantly, however, the report also shows significant differences between African countries.

Historical dimension

Africa is not one governance story; some countries have made meaningful progress while others have deteriorated.

This is why our conversation must move beyond simply searching for the "right leader." We need to build the right systems.

We also cannot ignore the historical dimension. Many African states inherited institutions shaped during colonial rule primarily to administer territory, extract resources and maintain political control rather than create governments accountable to African citizens. Independence changed who held positions of power, but it did not automatically transform every institution, political incentive, or administrative culture they inherited. Later political and economic systems developed their own weaknesses. The task of our generation is therefore not simply to inherit these structures, but to examine what works, reform what does not and build institutions designed around the dignity and prosperity of African people.

This is where Africa's generational transition presents an extraordinary opportunity.

A younger generation is gradually entering politics, business, public service, civil society and other positions of influence. Our responsibility cannot simply be to replace an older generation while preserving the same systems. Changing the faces without changing the structures will reproduce the same outcomes.

Instead, this transition allows us to walk away from practices that have kept power concentrated, normalised corruption, rewarded political loyalty over competence and treated public resources as privileges rather than responsibilities. We can build systems where transparency is expected, institutions are stronger than individuals, and public office genuinely means public service.

This vision is not foreign to Africa. The African Union's Agenda 2063 explicitly calls for an Africa characterised by good governance, democracy, human rights, justice and the rule of law. It specifically identifies both "capable institutions" and "transformative leadership" as necessary for the continent's future. It also envisions people-driven development, particularly through the participation of Africa's women and youth.

Perhaps that is the shift we need to make in how we think about Africa's future. Leadership matters, but leadership alone will never be enough.

We should build countries that do not require extraordinary leaders simply to function.

Because even when we inevitably get leaders who disappoint us, strong institutions should protect citizens from the worst consequences of their failures. A system designed around accountability, transparency, justice and the welfare of its people creates boundaries that leaders cannot easily cross.

Africa will thrive not when we finally find perfect leaders, but when we build systems strong enough to hold every leader accountable.

The opportunity before our generation is therefore bigger than changing who holds power. It is changing what power is allowed to do.

*Valentine Nzau is a social scientist, researcher, and communicator passionate about building stronger institutions and creating solutions that contribute to Africa’s long-term development.

Her work sits at the intersection of research, governance, education and leadership. She is also the founder and host of Difficult Conversations.

This writing was posted on LinkedIn by the author.