Across Africa, conversations about financing democracy are growing more urgent. From sovereign endowment funds to diaspora-backed financing mechanisms, new ideas are emerging to reduce dependence on external aid and strengthen democratic institutions. The Governance Consortium’s G20 Sideline Event report explains how youth are the future implementers of these models inside government and are already financing democracy.

This year’s 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) was a vivid reminder that the conversations shaping Africa’s public service leadership happen just as often in small circles and spontaneous side events as in the main plenary. Here are five takeaways for EPL and African leadership from UNGA80:

H.E. former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf met with Rose Wachuka Macharia, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, and Robert Fefegula, the new country director for Emerging Public Leaders of Sierra Leone, on the sidelines of the 4th Nalafem Summit in July.

Emerging Public Leaders participated in the 2025 Ibrahim Governance Weekend in Marrakech in June, the annual convening dedicated to advancing good governance and exploring innovative ways to finance a more sustainable and prosperous future for Africa.