African Leadership Institute, in its formative years between 2002 and 2003, assisted the government of Cabo Verde, an archipelago made up of about 10 islands and 8 islets of the coast of West Africa in formulating national transformation strategy, organizing a national forum, and provided leadership training to the Cabinet, including the Prime Minister, all Ministers and senior advisers.

Strategy for Transformation: In November 2002, the African Leadership Institute assisted the office of the Prime Minister to design and facilitate a retreat on transforming the economy and society of this island nation in the context of an increasingly globalized world. The activities undertaken by the African Leadership Institute included design of retreats for the Prime Minister and his entire cabinet, making presentations and facilitation. The retreats resulted in a transformation strategy which articulated a vision of economic diversification and growth to eradicate poverty based on the ‘locational advantage’ of Cabo Verde. The resulting strategy provides the operational approach to achieving the vision of the nation agreed to in 2001 and the basis for other policy exercises such as the national development plans and poverty reduction strategy.

National Forum: Following the formulation of the transformation strategy, African Leadership Institute assisted the government again to design, plan and facilitate a national forum that brought together leaders of the various segments of the Cabo Verdean society, including former presidents, prime ministers, cabinet members, business leaders and civil society organizations to debate the transformation strategy and reach a consensus on the way forward for the nation. The forum which lasted for three days in the capital city, Praia, led to consensus and agreement between the government, private sector and civil society on future development path and the roles of each sector of society. Since the forum in 2003, series of follow-up ideas such as organizing a workshop on competitiveness for the private sector has been implemented.

Leadership Training for Cabinet: The African Leadership Institute also designed and implemented a high-level training for the Cabinet, including the Prime Minister, its cabinet and key advisers on leadership issues. The training exposed Cabinet members to key leadership principles and provided opportunities for Cabinet members to learn and share experiences. The program was widely received and successful. The government has now requested African Leadership Institute to prepare a proposal to extend the leadership training program throughout the public administration system. African Leadership Institute is currently working with the government to raise funds to begin a program to train senior officials in public administration and parastatals on leadership and to help develop the capacity of local institution in leadership training.