Emerging Public Leaders Board announces Emmanuel Lubembe as new Global Board Chair
Mr Lubembe sharing remarks on behalf of the EPL Global Board at the graduation of the inaugural cohort in Malawi in December 2025.
Emerging Public Leaders (EPL) today announced the unanimous election of Emmanuel Lubembe as the next Chair of the EPL Global Board, effective January 15, 2026. He will succeed EPL Co-Founder Betsy Williams, who will continue to serve on the Global Board and, together with H.E. former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, will assume the role of Chair Emeritus, providing ongoing strategic guidance and mentorship to the organization.
In December, the EPL Global Board concluded a rigorous recruitment and nomination process to identify a new Chair who exemplifies EPL’s core values and can accelerate progress toward its vision of a prosperous and equitable Africa driven by ethical, high-performing public servants.
EPL Malawi’s By the Fireside Event hosting Mr Lubembe for a discussion with inaugural cohort.
Speaking at the launch of the Public Service Emerging Leaders Fellowship program in Kenya in 2022.
Champion of integrity and growth
“Emmanuel brings an exceptional combination of experience, service, and commitment to guide EPL into its next chapter,” said Betsy Williams, Co-Founder and outgoing Chair of the EPL Global Board. “Since joining the Board in 2023, he has helped steer EPL through an exciting period of growth, including the launch of new country programs in Sierra Leone and Malawi, where he also serves on the Board of Emerging Public Leaders. As Chair of the Governance Committee, Emmanuel has championed greater accountability and transparency across the organization, strengthening the integrity of EPL’s reporting and communications with both internal stakeholders and external partners.”
“Lubembe exemplifies the values of excellence, integrity, and service that define our mission to build the next generation of ethical and effective public servants across Africa. His dedication to strengthening the capacity of young professionals will accelerate our support of youth leaders,” added Abigail.
Lubembe first joined the EPL ecosystem in 2021 as Chair of the Steering Committee for the Public Service Emerging Leaders Fellowship (PSELF) in Kenya, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the program’s strategy and government partnerships.
A career of dedicated public service
Over his distinguished 30-year career in public service with the Government of Kenya, Mr. Lubembe rose through the ranks to become Head of Public Service Transformation, where he led fundamental and sustainable reforms to make service delivery more effective, responsive, and impactful for citizens. He coordinated the development of one-stop-shops (Huduma Centres) in Kenya, which were eventually rolled out across all counties in Kenya. In his private sector engagement with Deloitte and Touche, he led the team that coordinated the development of nascent regional economic blocs blueprints, and advised on performance improvement initiatives and public sector transformation at the sub-national level. Mr. Lubembe holds an MBA in Strategic Management and has conducted comparative studies of high-performing public services across Africa, Asia, North America, and Europe. His leadership exemplifies the values of excellence, integrity, and service that define EPL’s mission to cultivate a new generation of ethical and effective civil servants across Africa.
Lubembe met with H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Kenyan alumni in 2023 to discuss the impact of youth leadership in Africa’s public sector.
Lubembe and Williams represented EPL at the 2025 Ibrahim Governance Weekend.
Building the future of EPL
Lubembe’s appointment comes at a time of significant momentum for Emerging Public Leaders. Over the last 18 months, the network has expanded with the launch of EPL Sierra Leone; new intakes of young fellows in Liberia, Ghana, and Malawi; and alumni taking on increasing responsibility and impact in their respective governments. EPL is also actively pursuing new partnerships to expand into additional countries and deepen its support to emerging public sector leaders.
“I am honored to take up this role as Chair of the EPL Global Board at this pivotal moment for the organization and for public service across Africa,” said Emmanuel Lubembe. “Building on the visionary leadership of Betsy Williams and President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, EPL will continue to invest in young public servants who are transforming institutions from within so that citizens experience public services marked by integrity, innovation, and care.”
Williams added, “Passing the baton to Emmanuel is an important milestone in EPL’s evolution into a truly African-led organization. I look forward to supporting him and the Board as Chair Emeritus, and to watching the next generation of public service leaders shape the future of governance on the continent.”
Editor’s Notes
About Emerging Public Leaders
Emerging Public Leaders (EPL) is a public service leadership organization that prepares the next generation of competent and effective public sector leaders in Africa. EPL partners with governments and local organizations to rigorously identify young public service professionals who are committed to practicing and promoting good governance throughout Africa. Through comprehensive fellowships, ongoing career support, and a pan-African network, EPL’s diverse community of leaders strengthens public institutions to deliver democracy with excellence, care, innovation, and integrity.
