ACFR Leadership Overview
The African Council for Foreign Relations (ACFR) is guided by a robust leadership structure that includes an Executive Board of Advisors, a forthcoming Diplomatic Council, a forthcoming Young Global Leaders Board, a dedicated volunteer staff, and active committee members.
Executive Board of Advisors: The ACFR Executive Board is composed of distinguished leaders from government, business, and nonprofit sectors. These individuals are deeply committed to supporting the Council’s mission of working alongside African and global allies to shape the future of the African continent. Their leadership ensures strategic alignment and effective governance across all ACFR initiatives.
ACFR Diplomatic Council: Appointed by the Global Executive Chairman & Global Chair in consultation with the Executive Board Chair & Vice Chairs, members of the ACFR Diplomatic Council include influential career diplomats, officials from across the world. This council provides strategic insights, expert advice, and key recommendations that help guide ACFR’s work. Additionally, they play a vital role in securing the funding necessary to realize the Council’s vision and mission.
Young Global Leaders Board: The Young Global Leaders Board, selected from the International President Organization Worldwide, is a vibrant group of emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds across Africa and the world. These individuals bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a strong commitment to global collaboration. Their involvement ensures that ACFR remains forward-thinking and responsive to the evolving needs of younger generations and future decision-makers.
ACFR’s leadership structure reflects a commitment to diversity, expertise, and intergenerational collaboration. By engaging senior leaders, diplomats, advisors, and young changemakers, the Council is well-positioned to drive impactful change, foster international partnerships, and shape a sustainable future for Africa.
Executive Board of Directors
The ACFR Executive Board is composed of distinguished leaders from government, business, and nonprofit sectors. These individuals are deeply committed to supporting the Council’s mission of working alongside African and global allies to shape the future of the African continent. Their leadership ensures strategic alignment and effective governance across all ACFR initiatives.
Jean Narcisse Djaha, PhD
President Emeritus & Global Chairman, African Council on Foreign Relations
Dr. Emile Rwagasana
Deputy Chief of Staff, African Union
Prof. Andrew Defor
Executive Director of Policy & Government Relations, Center for Global Health Security & Diplomacy
Prof. Gbadedo Odularu, PHD, FAPH
President & CEO, No Hunger Food Bank & Professor, Howard University
Santarvis Brown, PhD
Distinguished Full Professor, Excelsior University & Harvard Business Review Board Member
Bijou Ongmakagne
Politician & President of Renaissance Party of Cameroon
Anne Marie Dias Borges
Journalist and Global Media Executive
Dr. Olusoji A. Akomolafe
Board Member & Professor of International Relations, Norfolk State University
Calherbe Monel
Former Vice Chair, African Council on Foreign Relations
Magistrat Rebecca LUC
Seasoned Haitian Judge
Zeba Abdoulaye
Ivorian Technology Entrepreneur
Prof. Joseph Nnanna, PhD
Chief Economist, Development Bank of Nigeria
Ebrima N. Ceesay, PhD
VP, Cybersecurity Executive and Senior Distinguished Engineer
Ebrima N. Ceesay, PhD
VP, Cybersecurity Executive and Senior Distinguished Engineer
Alexandria Isabel Huerta, Ph.D
Senior Executive Leader | International Development | Strategic Partnerships | USAID Deputy Mission Director
Tim Uselmann (Harvard PhD)
Volunteer, Yale University Applicant Interviewer & Economic-Political Officer, U.S. Department of State
Uthman Yuguda
Investment Banking Analyst
Peter Agh, PhD
Distinguished Local Governance Expert
Shantanu Ghosh
Growth Partner/ Angel Investor/ex Business leader and CFO
Ralph Figaro
Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, and Large Group Facilitator
Lukman Raimi, PhD, LL.M, MNIM, FIFP, FCEnt, FIMC, CMC
Assistant of Professor of Entrepreneurship & Program Leader of Bus Admin at Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei
Lukman Raimi, PhD, LL.M, MNIM, FIFP, FCEnt, FIMC, CMC
Assistant of Professor of Entrepreneurship & Program Leader of Bus Admin at Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei
ACFR Executive Presidency
The ACFR Executive Team is composed of distinguished leaders from government, business, and nonprofit sectors. These individuals are deeply committed to supporting the Council’s mission of working alongside African and global allies to shape the future of the African continent. Their leadership ensures strategic alignment and effective governance across all ACFR initiatives.
Jean Narcisse Djaha, PhD
Global Executive Chairman
Hon. Calherbe Monel
President & CEO
ACFR Global Engagement, Diplomacy International Relations - Office of the President and CEO
The Office of the President and CEO – Global Engagement, Diplomacy, and International Relations within the African Council on Foreign Relations (ACFR) plays a pivotal strategic role in shaping and executing the organization’s global vision.
Jean Narcisse Djaha, PhD
Global Head of Programs & Special Initiatives
Prof. Andrew Defor, PhD
VP of Global External Relations
Houssane Ouattara, PhD
Vice-President, Political Affairs with the AU
Bijou Ongmakagme
Vice President of International Relations – Francophonie
Santarvis Brown, PhD
Vice President of Partnership – USA
Uthman Yuguda
Vice President of the Board – Resource Mobilization and Partnerships – Nigeria and Africa
Marc AGUEWE
Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the President & CEO
Gail Moutlong
Vice President of Strategic Partnerships – South Africa
ACFR Office of Global Education and Learning - Office of the President and CEO
The ACFR Office of Global Education and Learning, under the Office of the President and CEO, is a strategic and visionary unit within the African Council on Foreign Relations (ACFR). Its mission is to advance global learning, civic education, and leadership development across Africa and the diaspora, aligned with ACFR’s broader goals of educational diplomacy, educational technology, international education, and cooperation.
Jean Narcisse Djaha, PhD
Global Head of Programs, Learning Platforms & Special Initiatives
Gail Moutlong
Undersecretary-General of the ACFR Global Youth Bureau for Gender and Girls’ Education – South Africa
Office of the President and CEO- ACFR Global Youth Bureau
The ACFR Global Youth Bureau is a strategic platform designed to empower youth engagement in international affairs, technological diplomacy, global governance, and transformational leadership. It reflects the African Council on Foreign Relations’ commitment to cultivating a new generation of globally-minded young leaders who are equipped to shape a more just, inclusive, and sustainable international order.
The Bureau envisions a dynamic and enlightened African and global youth—active participants in shaping the future of diplomacy, innovation, and multilateral cooperation. Through high-impact programs, strategic convenings, and leadership development initiatives, the Bureau fosters youth-led solutions to global challenges, promotes ethical technology governance, and strengthens the role of young people in international decision-making processes.
Serge Sewa
Founding Secretary General of the ACFR Global Youth Bureau
Uthman Yuguda
Under Secretary-General of the ACFR Global Youth Office for Resource and Partnership Mobilization
Kadiatou Konate
Under Secretary-General of the ACFR Global Youth Office for Gender and Women Rights
Jean-Louis Monnet
Under Secretary-General of the ACFR Global Youth Office for Youth Capacity Development
Brandon Leach
Under Secretary, Special Envoy to American Youth – East Coast
Marc AGUEDE
Coming soon
Saidu Emmanuel Conteh
Technology and Data Science
Marc AGUEWE
Coming soon