LEAP Africa: Six New Board Appointments Bolster Governance

• LEAP Africa has appointed six new professionals to its Board of Directors to strengthen governance and support its pan-African work.
• The new board members bring diverse expertise from telecommunications, finance, investment, corporate governance, technology, and international development.
• Board Chair Mrs. Clare Omatseye stated that robust governance is central to delivering lasting impact and building a resilient institution.
• Executive Director Kehinde Ayeni noted that the appointees' experience and networks will be invaluable for expanding reach and fostering innovation.
• Notable appointees include Bella Disu of Globacom, Victor Onyenkpa formerly of KPMG Africa, and Remilekun Soyannwo of Shell Pension Fund.

The appointments underscore LEAP Africa's commitment to strengthening its institutional resilience and future readiness, as articulated by Board Chair Mrs. Clare Omatseye.

LEAP Africa, a prominent leadership development organization dedicated to empowering young people, has announced the appointment of six distinguished professionals to its Board of Directors. These strategic additions are intended to significantly bolster the organization's governance framework and provide robust support for its expanding pan-African initiatives. The newly appointed directors bring a wealth of experience spanning critical sectors such as telecommunications, finance, investment, corporate governance, technology, and international development.

The new members joining the LEAP Africa board of directors include Toyin Akinniyi, Vice President, Africa at Luminate; Bella Disu, Executive Vice Chairman of Globacom; Ifeoma Finnih, Director, Infrastructure and Climate at Chapel Hill Denham; Remilekun Soyannwo, Chief Executive Officer of Shell Pension Fund; Sobel Ngom, Chief Executive Officer of Tostan International; and Victor Onyenkpa, formerly Chief Operating Officer of KPMG Africa. This diverse group is expected to infuse the board with fresh perspectives from both the private and development sectors, aligning with LEAP Africa's core mission of inspiring and equipping young Africans for transformative leadership at personal, organizational, and community levels.

The appointments underscore LEAP Africa's commitment to strengthening its institutional resilience and future readiness, as articulated by Board Chair Mrs. Clare Omatseye. She emphasized that robust governance remains pivotal to the organization's capacity to deliver lasting impact. Mrs. Omatseye expressed confidence that the professional accomplishments, leadership acumen, and dedication to Africa's development demonstrated by the six new individuals will significantly enrich the Board's deliberations and deepen its strategic oversight. This move is a clear reflection of the organization's proactive approach to addressing the evolving challenges and opportunities confronting young Africans across the continent.

Kehinde Ayeni, the Executive Director of LEAP Africa, highlighted that the organization is at a crucial juncture in its journey. As LEAP Africa expands its geographical reach and enhances the quality of its programs, the collective experience, extensive networks, and strategic insights of the new board members are anticipated to be invaluable. These contributions are expected to unlock new avenues for collaboration and foster innovation, further solidifying the organization's leadership changes and its ability to achieve its ambitious goals.

The newly constituted LEAP Africa board of directors benefits from a remarkable breadth of expertise. Bella Disu, for instance, brings over two decades of experience in telecommunications, corporate governance, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy, having played a key role in digital transformation and business growth across West Africa as Executive Vice Chairman of Globacom. Similarly, Victor Onyenkpa contributes over thirty years of experience in governance, finance, and risk management, gained across various African markets during his tenure as Chief Operating Officer of KPMG Africa.

Further enhancing the board's capabilities, Remilekun Soyannwo offers over three decades of experience in financial management, corporate finance, and investment governance, including her previous role as Chief Financial Officer of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company and her current independent non-executive directorships at Stanbic IBTC Bank Limited and Pan Ocean Oil & Gas Group Limited. Ifeoma Finnih's seventeen years in banking, infrastructure finance, and investment management, particularly her work at Chapel Hill Denham managing portfolios for infrastructure development, energy access, and climate resilience, adds crucial financial acumen. Toyin Akinniyi's two decades in philanthropy and international development, focusing on strategy, impact investing, technology governance, and grantmaking, particularly her leadership at Luminate in Africa, provides vital insights into technology and socioeconomic justice. Lastly, Sobel Ngom, CEO of Tostan International, brings a valuable Francophone West African perspective and expertise in organizational strategy, program leadership, and impact measurement, reinforcing the pan-African scope of LEAP Africa's mission.

This article highlights the ongoing importance of robust corporate governance and diverse expertise on the boards of non-profit organizations operating across Africa. Lawyers advising NGOs should note the strategic value of appointing directors with varied backgrounds in telecommunications, finance, and international development to enhance oversight and achieve pan-African objectives, ensuring compliance and effective mission delivery.

Source: Original reporting via The PUNCH