The CFYE portfolio encompasses a large group of fast-growing companies, where young people are enabled with the opportunity to quickly climb the ranks and receive a wealth of on-the-job training and experience. At the same time, many of the companies recognise the challenge to find the right senior-level talent to staff management teams and build out the managerial structure of the business. This is seen by these businesses as a key barrier for further growth.
To address this challenge, CFYE partnered with the African Management Institute (AMI), a pan-African social enterprise dedicated to equipping ambitious businesses across Africa with the tools they need to thrive. AMI combines technology with innovative learning methodologies, offering a mix of web-based and mobile content, in-person workshops or virtual webinars, and practical hands-on applications. Together, CFYE and AMI launched a Leadership Development Programme, aimed at senior managers from 15 of our implementing partners, to empower them in becoming highly effective leaders.
The programme targeted senior leadership and C-suite professionals, and equip them with strategies to empower teams, foster a healthy organisational culture, and deliver exceptional results. Through a blend of virtual workshops, access to an online learning platform, action learning projects, and coaching, participants gained critical management and leadership skills to drive meaningful change within their organisations.
We spoke with four of the programme’s graduates—Salma, Mohammad, Clare, and Basel —about their experiences.
Salma Elias: Creating Safe Spaces while Driving Efficiency
For Salma Elias, the new Chief Operations Officer (COO) at EcoBrix, 2023 has been an intense year. Encouraged by EcoBrix’s CEO, Salma joined the Leadership Development Programme shortly after stepping into her role. Initially, balancing the course with her demanding responsibilities was a challenge. But over time, the practical, hands-on nature of the training proved invaluable.
Salma previously approached leadership with a one-size-fits-all mindset, juggling tasks at a relentless pace. The programme taught her the importance of adjusting her leadership style to suit different individuals and contexts. She realised that at times, overconfidence comes off as a threat, but instead of compromising it was important that she adjusted her communication to show confident while keeping her human side. By slowing down and listening more, she created a safe space where her team felt supported and empowered.
This shift reduced micromanagement and encouraged team ownership, fostering a more collaborative environment. Now the team manages their time better, working at their own pace while knowing what is expected of them. For Salma, working on her team’s psychological safety was transformative.
The key skills Salma gained—like effective delegation and practical communication—have directly improved EcoBrix’s operational efficiency. While challenges persist, Salma views leadership as a continuous journey of learning, and is ready to adapt to new challenges with the tools she has gained.
Mohammad Alkhudari: From Governance Challenges to SMART Solutions
We met Mohammad Alkhudari, CEO of Green Circle, a day after the Leadership Development Programme’s graduation ceremony. For Mohammad, the nine-month programme led to remarkable changes. Facing challenges with company governance—ranging from unclear roles to project delays—he joined the programme to find solutions.
Through the training, Mohammad developed methodologies to streamline decision-making, clarify roles, and improve communication. Setting SMART goals and prioritising tasks became foundational practices for both him and his team. He particularly valued the opportunity for peer-to-peer learning with other senior level managers and stresses the importance of setting a clear agenda and expectations at the start of the programme.
Looking ahead, Mohammad is committed to building strong communication frameworks that account for cultural nuances and individual goals.
Clare Nattabi: Reinventing Leadership in a Fast-Growing Team
For Clare Nattabi, Head of Business Development at Balloon Ventures, the Leadership Development Programme came at the perfect moment. Her team was expanding rapidly, and so were their targets. Clare needed to find ways to instil confidence in her team, enabling them to meet rising expectations while fostering trust so they felt comfortable seeking her support.
“To succeed, I constantly need to reinvent myself”
Clare reflects. Embracing this challenge, she joined the programme.
One of her most transformative takeaways was the importance of communication—it is not just about what she was saying, but how she was saying it to ensure her message was understood by her team. In a fast-paced and rapidly growing team, Clare recognised the value of actively engaging with her team to understand their perspectives and address challenges together.
The impact of the programme extended beyond Clare’s role. She involved her team from the start, identifying bottlenecks such as delays in loan application, and turnaround times. By applying what she learned in the programme, Clare and her team streamlined processes, resulting in faster loan approvals and improved client satisfaction.
Looking ahead, Clare plans to continue learning, adapting, and innovating. She encourages leaders to keep an open mind: Not everything works in all contexts, but there’s always an opportunity to adapt learnings to your needs.
Basel Mostafa: Balancing Strategy, Empathy, and Growth
Basel Mostafa, Director of Project Management and Delivery at Sprints, joined the programme to deepen his understanding of organisational leadership and change management—key skills required for managing CFYE projects that demand both strategic oversight and on-the-ground execution. For Basel, the programme’s standout features were the opportunities to network and engage in reflective discussions with other participants. Gaining insights into the common and unique challenges across industries was particularly valuable. However, he noted that the programme could benefit from more tailored content for individual attendees, along with additional real-life examples to enhance practical learning.
Through the Leadership Development Programme, Basel has developed greater empathy and mindfulness as a leader. He now emphasises the importance of prioritising the individuals within his team and fostering an environment where innovation thrives, and mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth. He encourages managers to create a culture that balances freedom with accountability, enabling team members to learn, adapt, and take ownership of their work.
Looking ahead, rather than immediately providing directions or solutions, Basel aims to coach his team by asking thoughtful questions and guiding them toward their own answers. This approach not only builds autonomy but also strengthens accountability within the team.
For Salma, Mohammad, Clare, and Basel, the Leadership Development Programme was a rigorous, but rewarding journey. Although balancing their demanding schedules with the course was challenging, all praised its practicality and the tangible impact it had on their teams and organisations. On December 4th, the graduates celebrated their achievements with a ceremony, where they showcased their action learning projects and received certificates of completion.
Their stories highlight the impactful power of leadership development in overcoming growth challenges, fostering innovation, and empowering teams to thrive. Congratulations to all the graduates!
Sade Aalto-Setala
December 2, 2024