Kindly supported by Firoz and Najma Lalji
The Firoz and Najma Lalji supported Programme for African Leadership stems from the shared vision of the Lalji family and LSE: to foster emerging leaders to promote best practices of economic and social development in their organisations and countries, so that they will be supported in their contributions to helping alleviating poverty in Africa.
The programme welcomes its first cohort to London in March 2012 and has been generously supported for its first five years of operation by LSE alumnus, Firoz Lalji and his wife Najma.
"This will be a highly-competitive programme that we hope will bring a new class of African leaders to the world stage. We know some of the difficulties that can hold back talent from Africa and we want to unleash and support the next generation of leaders".
Firoz and Najma Lalji
"This is not just an extremely generous donation but an extremely well thought out initiative which can transform the relationship between African leaders and their peers around the world. For too long we have allowed Africa's best minds to be cut off from education and training of the highest quality. This programme will help give African leaders a sense of confidence and the ability to work on an equal footing with the rest of the world. I am proud and pleased that Firoz and Najma Lalji have chosen to work with LSE on this innovative project".
Professor Thandika Mkandawire, Chair in African Development, LSE