What does it take to design development policies that truly deliver for people on the ground? This question guided a dynamic panel the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program co-hosted with the Harvard Center for International Development and the Harvard University Center for African Studies, featuring four distinguished African ministers: Hon. Pius Mokgware, Minister of Employment and … Read more

The Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program is a unique, non-prescriptive Program designed to support appointed Ministers in doing what they do, serving their countries. The Program provides a space for leaders to reflect, define their priorities, share experiences, exchange knowledge, and build lasting networks. At the heart of the Program and its in-person Forums is a … Read more

We are living through challenging times. Around the world, countries are grappling with political uncertainty, economic instability, social unrest, climate risks, and rapid technological shifts, particularly those driven by artificial intelligence (AI). At the same time, foreign assistance to governments is shrinking, trust in institutions is increasingly fragile, and citizens, especially young people, are demanding … Read more

The Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program’s 2025 Tessa Jowell Fellowship for Doctoral Research was awarded to Tosin Adebola, a DrPH student at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Tosin’s journey began with hands-on medical practice in Nigeria, followed by advanced studies in Global Health and Development at University College London. Since then, she has … Read more

High-level government leaders from across Africa and Asia, including Vice Presidents, Vice Prime Ministers, Finance Ministers, Planning Ministers, and Heads of Presidential Delivery Units, gathered at Harvard University from the 27th to the 30th of April 2025, under the theme “Development Can’t Wait: Time to Act, “ to exchange insights and drive forward urgent development … Read more

The Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program established the Tessa Jowell Student Research Fellowship providing up to $15,000 in support of doctoral or post-doctoral level research. Research must focus on health, education, or other aspects of human development impacting prospects for sustainable economic growth in countries participating in the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program. The Fellowship entails funding … Read more

The Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program is proud to welcome the Rt. Hon. Patrick Achi, former Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, to its distinguished Advisory Board. Mr. Achi brings decades of leadership and policy expertise, having served as Prime Minister from March 2021 to October 2023, where he led key national initiatives and strategic development efforts. … Read more

The fact that most Africans are under 35 is driving a shift in expectations of government. This was a central point made by two of Africa’s most respected former government leaders: former Tanzanian President, H.E. Jakaya Kikwete and former Prime Minister of Mozambique, the Rt. Hon. Luisa Diogo. Speaking during a Forum convened by the … Read more

In the wake of the COVID pandemic and global economic crisis, Africa, more so than most parts of the world, is experiencing high inflation, increased poverty levels, and large-scale unemployment, particularly among its majority youthful populations. National budgets are severely constrained by foreign debt hampering progress on key human development indicators. More than 30 African … Read more

Historically, Nigeria has faced significant health challenges, with preventable infectious diseases and rising non-communicable diseases contributing to high child and maternal mortality rates. One of the most intractable of these challenges was the continued prevalence of polio long after most countries in the world had eradicated the virus. In 2011, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate was … Read more