Youth, Protest and Everyday Leadership: Lessons from Kenya and beyond with Bettina Ng’weno

In this episode of How to Become a Leader in Africa, we sit down with Bettina Ng’weno — professor, anthropologist, and co-author of the influential book "Developing Global Leaders: Insights from African Case Studies" which explored leadership in five African countries: Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, Tanzania and Nigeria. Drawing on detailed research and over 180 interviews with people in leadership positions, Professor Ng'weno shares deep insights on the evolving dynamics of everyday leadership on the continent.

We discuss her home country of Kenya — from its historical patterns of governance to the role of youth in shaping its future. Professor Ng'weno unpacks how young people are treated by Kenya's government, especially in light of last year’s powerful youth-led protests, and what this reveals about the state of leadership in the country today. We also discuss how everyday leadership and hierarchies manifest in Nigeria, Rwanda and Ghana.

If you're passionate about everyday African leadership, civic engagement, and the rising voice of the youth, this episode is for you.