Meet our team
Leadership with a record of moving governments.
Our leadership consists of individuals who have played an important role in changing the landscape of education in Africa. They are visionaries and champions in their respective fields.
- Strong reputation for leading bold reforms and initiatives in Africa
- Expertise in education or the public sector
- Unparalleled drive to improve education outcomes, particularly FLN, in Africa
Dr Oby Ezekwesili
Chief Executive Officer
Dr Oby is one of the driving forces behind some of Nigeria’s most progressive reforms that challenged corruption, extremism and gender-based violence. She is considered one of Africa’s fearless advocates, and has paved the way for a better tomorrow for Africa’s future generations. She is more popularly known as ‘Madam Due Process’ for her relentless drive to eradicate all forms of corruption and malpractice, which included refining the Nigerian government’s public procurement and contracting practices. She is also a co-founder of Transparency International, recognized as a trailblazer for advocating against corruption practices that are rampant across countries.
In the political world she is recognized for serving as a former Federal Minister for Solid Minerals, where she is given credit for revamping the Nigerian mining sector and making it a lucrative location for mining investments. Soon after, in 2006, she was appointed Minister of Education — a watershed moment in Nigeria’s education history that helped realign the country’s education policy with the Education For All (EFA) targets and the Millennium Development Goals. Dr Oby’s undaunting ambition and commitment for Africa, combined with her first-hand experience of solving complex problems in government, led to her appointment as the World Bank’s Vice President for Africa in 2007, where she played an important role in transforming the Bank’s work to better serve Africa’s needs and interests.
HCA is a synthesis of Dr Oby’s unwavering dedication to improving the lives of Africa’s future generations, using her expertise, influence and leadership to envision an Africa that has a better tomorrow for its children.
Our board
Regional champions who can convene heads of state.
Kah Walla
Board member
Envisioning a better life for the people of Africa, Edith Kahbang Walla — more popularly known as ‘Kah Walla’ — is a Cameroonian politician, entrepreneur and social activist. Her philosophy revolves around building inclusive systems that reflect an individual’s integrity and dignity, while being a staunch advocate of grassroots reforms and movements in Africa, particularly focused on creating inclusive communities and protecting the rights of women and youth. Globally she is recognized for her deep understanding of Africa’s development issues and her expertise in strategy and management, through her 24-year-old leadership and management firm STRATEGIES!, which works across five continents. She was also the first woman ever in Cameroon to run for the presidency.
HCA welcomes her onboard and is excited to witness how her problem-solving skills and exceptional leadership capabilities will help steer HCA towards achieving its vision.
Erastus J. O. Mwencha
Board member
Erastus has a dream of a regionally integrated Africa to resolve its development woes. He was appointed Secretary General of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) from 1998 to 2008, where he played an instrumental role in establishing COMESA as the first regional body to achieve the status of a ‘Free Trade Area’. After being elected deputy chairperson of the African Union Commission in 2008, Erastus played a significant role in supporting continental development in Africa while enhancing the capacity of its institutions.
At HCA, Erastus will embolden the organization’s resolve to inspire governments and policymakers in Africa to collaborate with HCA in order to resolve Africa’s educational challenges at a regional level.
Trevor Manuel
Board member
Trevor is recognized as one of the world’s astute advocates for the developing world. He holds the accolade of being South Africa’s longest-serving Finance Minister, having served under four different Cabinets, and has spearheaded widespread initiatives and reforms to fundamentally transform South Africa. Under his stewardship South Africa entered its longest period of growth ever, and he is considered Africa’s most respected finance minister.
HCA is honoured to have a person of his stature on our board. He will leverage his immense first-hand experience, and expertise in implementing successful interventions, to achieve HCA’s vision of providing quality FLN education to the youth of Africa.