Transformation Leadership Panel Transformation Leadership Panel (TLP) is comprised of a number of global leaders that will convene around a common cause: to advocate for action at the highest levels of government and regional institutions—including directly engaging with Heads of State, Ministers, and bodies such as the African Union—around urgent issues on: climate, population, innovation, and integration. In doing so, the TLP also can help provide intellectual leadership, directional guidance, and technical expertise for the next edition of ACET’s flagship publication, African Transformation Report (ATR) 2020, which will focus on these same issues through the prism of leadership requirements and key policy actions. In this context, six broad goals for the TLP are envisioned: 1. To form an influential group of difference-makers. 2. To leverage Panel expertise into something immediate and tangible. 3. To galvanize action. 4. To get institutions to work together. 5. To advocate for Africa on the global stage. 6. To draw our own lessons. There are currently fifteen (15) members of the panel, chaired by Her Excellency Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. The Inaugural meeting of the TLP is set to take place in Accra, Ghana on the 15th and 16th of July 2019. Currently (first quarter), in preparation towards the inaugural meeting, the TLP Secretariat is working closely with McKinsey & Company based in Johannesburg, to set the agenda for the first TLP meeting. McKinsey will be arranging a short interview with each Panel member to ensure that member concerns, motivations, and expectations for the TLP are noted in advance, and incorporated into the agenda. Most importantly, the interviews will allow members to consider the ways in which they envision the TLP helping them and their organizations achieve goals. In preparation towards the inaugural meeting, the TLP Secretariat worked closely with McKinsey & Company to set the agenda for the first TLP meeting. McKinsey arranged short interviews with panel members to ensure that member concerns, motivations, and expectations for the TLP were noted in advance and incorporated into the agenda. Most importantly, the interviews allowed members to consider the ways in which they envision that the TLP can help them and their organizations to achieve pre-determined goals. The TLP inaugural meeting was held on the 15th -16th of July, 2019. Update for the 3rd quarter :On July 15-16, ACET hosted the inaugural TLP meeting in Accra, Ghana. Twelve of the 16 panel members participated, as well as special guest the Honorable Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister of Finance of Ghana and Chairman of the World Bank’s Development Committee. A primary focus of the meeting was to ensure collective agreement on the panel’s objectives and the way forward. After considerable discussion, the TLP members agreed on the following vision statement: “Our pledge is to influence leaders to take urgent action to achieve transformative change in Africa by 2030. Individually and, together as a panel, we will influence policies on four critical issues: climate, regional integration, digital innovation and demographics.” Likewise, the members agreed that the group should be guided by an overall goal. In the spirit of the United Nations’ goals on gender, the TLP discussed an overarching goal of achieving gender parity in leadership across sectors in Africa by 2030. (A related key discussion point addressed the need for a database of women who can be recommended for leadership positions in the public and private sectors.) Additionally, the panel endorsed the four primary themes for ATR 2020. Key next steps discussed at the meeting include: • Agreement that the TLP should meet twice annually. The next meeting was proposed to take place just prior to the African Union Summit in February 2020 in Addis Ababa. Dates will be proposed to the panel as soon as possible. • Consideration to expand TLP membership to include youth representatives and additional African and global experts. • Agreement that ACET would establish a secretariat for the TLP to ensure effective communication and support functions. • Agreement that the TLP will provide continued intellectual leadership, directional guidance, and technical expertise, as well as focused advocacy, for ATR 2020. Following the inaugural meeting of the Transformation Leadership Panel (TLP) in July 2018, ACET has been requested to establish a Secretariat for the TLP. The Secretariat will facilitate the TLP’s efforts to influence leaders to take urgent action for transformative change in Africa by 2030, with a primary focus on policy actions in four broad areas—demographics, innovation, climate, and regional integration—and with an overarching goal of gender parity in leadership across all sectors. Planning for the next meeting in February in Addis Ababa (logistics, agenda, invites) is on track. The second meeting will be a continuation of the agreements made in Accra in July. It will be hosted by the Economic Commission for Africa with a focus on (1) reviewing key baseline inputs for discussion and feedback, and (2) taking definitive steps to move the TLP process forward ahead of the June 2020 African Transformation Forum (ATF 2020). We have added two new members to the TLP, Agnes Kalibata from AGRA and Stefano Manservisi - the DG for International Cooperation and Development (DEVCO) at the European Commission. The second Transformation Leadership Panel (TLP) meeting was held on February 27-28, 2020 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting hosted and chaired by Vera Songwe, ECA Executive Secretary was graced by 11 of the panel members. The primary goal of the meeting was to address key areas of thematic focus (gender, jobs, Africa-Europe relations, domestic resource mobilization, ATR, ATI and the ATF) for the TLP and ACET and to seek inputs on flagship deliverables. A brief review of the meeting and key outcomes can be found via the link below https://bit.ly/2ndTLPMeetingReview

ACET held a virtual meeting on May 27,2020 to address the impact of COVID-19 on the African continent and to approve a ten-point action plan to help governments revive their economies after the crisis. The meeting included special guests Mr. Albert Zeufack, World Bank Chief Economist for the Africa Region; and Mr. Stefan Oswald, Director General, German Federal Ministry of Development. The meeting focused on actions currently being taken across Africa, the impacts and challenges of recovery, and urgent focal points for global leaders, policymakers, and the development community at large. Members expressed the urgency to ensure that African governments and development partners grasp the full extent of the crisis impacts and react accordingly.

During the open discussion, members explored the challenges that governments face between caring for lives and caring for livelihoods. In particularly the panel discussed:

•	Jobs: Lockdowns across Africa created immense economic hardships and swelled unemployment. Governments responded by creating social protection and cash transfer programs estimated at more than $70 billion. 
•	Food security: On the supply side, there has been disruption to the movement of people and other inputs as the planting season has begun in some regions. Additionally, governments largely have inadequate strategic stores. 
•	Liquidity: In April, the G20 announced bilateral debt relief programs to help countries respond to the pandemic. However, only two African countries to date have been able to access any relief and even with those countries it is unclear how or if that relief has resulted in increased liquidity. 
•	Education: Gains made in access to education and participation may be at a heightened risk as young people are forced to stay home amidst lockdowns. But based on evidence from countries that imposed similar lockdowns during the Ebola outbreaks, enrolment rates may be notably lower when schools reopen, particularly for girls.
•	Gender. In addition to concerns over education, members highlighted a range of gender-related issues in need of special attention in the post-COVID-19 recovery period, including increasing employment opportunities and addressing domestic violence.

The World Bank and ACET are collaborating on the implementation of the ten policy recommendations, while leveraging TLP members and their organizations to support African governments. TLP Members tasked the secretariat with placing an op-ed in a global media outlet that will focus on a few key messages in support of the urgent actions that are required of both African governments and the global development community. Members also agreed to develop a call to action for global leaders regarding financing and issue of debt and liquidity.

In Q3 2020, the panel agreed to develop a call to action for African leaders as one outcome of the May 27 COVID-19 response meeting. In July, a ten-point plan was agreed and signed by the members and was distributed to African Union Member countries through the African Union Commission.

Q4: The fourth TLP meeting was held on Nov 13, 2020. The meeting, which was chaired by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was attended by 15 members and 2 special guests. These included: 
1. Her Excellency, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President, Liberia (Chairperson) 
2. Masood Ahmed, President, Center for Global Development 
3. K.Y. Amoako, Founder and President, ACET 
4. Charles Boamah, former Senior Vice President, AfDB 
5. Ann Cotton, Founder, CAMFED International 
6. Bineta Diop, Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, African Union 
7. Hafez Ghanem, Regional Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, World Bank 
8. Agnes Kalibata, President, AGRA 
9. Acha Leke, Chair, Africa Region, McKinsey & Company 
10. Ibrahim Mayaki, former Prime Minister, Niger; CEO, AUDA-NEPAD 
11. James Mwangi, Managing Director and CEO, Equity Group Holdings 3 
12. Ndidi Nwuneli, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Sahel Capital 
13. Reeta Roy, President and CEO, Mastercard Foundation 
14. Gayle Smith, President and CEO, ONE Campaign 
15. Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary, UN Economic Commission for Africa 
The following special guests were in attendance: 
1. Tito Mboweni, Finance Minister of South Africa 
2. Albert Zeufack, Chief Economist, Africa Region, World Bank 

Members discussed the international response to the pandemic in Africa and possible areas to support and collaborate with AfDB following current pressure on their resources. Following TLP meeting, ACET arranged for an appointment with AfDB’s president, Akin Adesina on November 27, 2020. The meeting was deferred due to some urgent developments.

In Q1 2021, the TLP hosted its fifth meeting in March 2021, with the special guest President Adesina of the African Development Bank (AfDB). The meeting discussed AfDB’s priority areas of support to Africa’s COVID-19 recovery and highlighted the importance of local and national institutions in Africa’s development. It was also an opportunity for President Adesina to share insights on the AfDB’s goals and strategies during his second term of presidency. Present at the meeting were 12 panel members and 3 special guests. Upon the request of Madam Johnson Sirleaf, President Adesina concurred to a follow up meeting for in-depth discussion around the issues raised by TLP members such as gender parity and supporting African institutions. President Adesina also relayed his interest in hosting a leadership dialogue with some of the TLP members.

Q2 2021: In May 2021, the panel convened a virtual conference. This was the 6th convening with discussions tailored on the forthcoming African Transformation Report (ATR 3): Integrating to Transform and Regional Integration at large. The interlocutors discussed:
(1) an overview of the report, including policy priorities and recommendations. 
(2) the relevance and impact of the report in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area; and
(3) ways in which the TLP members could support and promote the report's recommendations, both within the advocacy framework and in alignment with members’ own priorities and commitments.

The keynote address was delivered by one of our guests of honor, His Excellency Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat with emphasis on his vision for the AfCFTA. He also discussed his priorities for the AfCFTA Secretariat, key lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on economic thinking regarding the AfCFTA. The conference was attended by 11 panel members and 5 special guests.

At the conference, ACET officially invited the panel to the launch of the African Transformation Forum on July 15, 2021. They will offer analytical insights on a moderated session on the need for Africa’s transformation through integration and the role of leaders in steering the transformation.


In Q3 2021,  the ATF featured  a panel discussion with six TLP members – H.E Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Dolika Banda, Reeta Roy, Hafez Ghanem, Vera Songwe and Ibrahim Mayaki. The TLP session, moderated by Nancy Kacingura, highlighted pathways to confront barriers to transformation across Africa, and discussed ways to strengthen the role of African Institutions and Think Tanks in capacity building.

Following the ATR launch, H.E Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and K.Y. Amoako met with the World Bank’s Managing Director for Operations, Axel van Trotsenburg, to explore funding opportunities from the International Development Association (IDA) to support institutional capacity building. The World Bank is currently developing a funding proposal to share with the IDA in a forthcoming meeting planned for October. The outcome will be shared with the TLP during the next meeting in November.

Q4 2021
The TLP marked its 2nd year of operation in July 2021. This prompted a review of their mandate during the 4th quarter of 2021. The assessment examined successes achieved over the years and aspects of their operations that were lagging. The review, led by Caroline Kende-Robb further sought to inform the constitution of the 2nd TLP panel. Data for the review was gathered through interviews with panel members, ACET staff and other relevant stakeholders. A draft report on the findings was shared with the panel during a meeting held in November.

The November Meeting:  The 7th TLP meeting was held virtually on 24th November 2021. The meeting focused on 3 topics:

1. Review for constituting TLP2 – Caroline Kende-Robb presented her preliminary findings from the review exercise and shared key recommendations for the new iteration of the TLP (TLP 2). The panel discussed and made suggestions on the way forward. Caroline will integrate suggestions, as she finalizes interviews with panel members to inform the final report.

2. Outcome of the Post ATR ACET-World Bank meeting (International Development Association’s 20 replenishment and African Policy Institutes proposal) –Following the launch of the third African Transformation Report, H.E Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and K.Y. Amoako met with the World Bank’s Managing Director for Operations, Axel van Trotsenburg to explore funding opportunities from the International Development Association (IDA).

The meeting discussed how the IDA replenishment could be used to support African policy institutes in building their capacity and research to inform evidence-based policy making. A proposal on the IDA20 replenishment and the outcome of the proposal for African Policy Institutes has been submitted by Hafez Ghanem, World Bank Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa and Bouthenia Guermazi, the Director of Regional Integration at the World Bank. 

Feedback from IDA revealed that the concept of supporting African policy institutes aligned well with the themes of the IDA20 and the proposal was receiving a positive consideration.

3. Climate change – Dolika Banda, a member of the TLP who participated in the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 26) reflected on her participation at COP26 during ACET’s climate change deep dive. This resulted in a discussion among the panel on means to be instrumental in influencing the COP27 agenda for Africa.