For African countries to address their political, economic and development challenges, the new generation of leaders from the continent must speak truth to power.

This was the opinion of Sir Sam Jonah, the CEO of Jonah Capital during an interview with Africa Policy Journal’s Enitan Okedji, Lead Interview Editor (Policy Engagement). 

Sam Jonah was in Cambridge to present the ‘Sixth Annual Belo-Osagie, Distinguished Lecture on African Business and Entrepreneurship.’

The lecture was organized by Harvard’s Center for African Studies. 

Speaking about the new generation of African leaders, including talented Africans studying and working in the diaspora, he urged them to avoid the mistake of the older generation and never underestimate the power of the ‘collective.’

In his words, the bane of Africa’s problem is the leadership deficit. He encouraged Africans in the diaspora to return to the continent, because, African countries need them more than foreign countries. 

Sam Jonah is the Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, a former member of the Board of Ashesi University in Ghana, a visiting Professor of Business at the University of Witwatersrand Business School of Johannesburg, and a member of its Governing Council, as well as Trustee of the Nelson Mandela Legacy Trust (UK). 

He was a founding member of The United Nations Secretary General’s Global Compact Advisory Council, a member of The African Regional Advisory Board of the London Business School, a member of the governing body of the School of Oriental and African Studies and served as a trustee of the Camborne School of Mines.

He has also served as member of the Advisory Council of the President of the African Development Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).