Emmanuel Agida launches centre for governance, economy and development

•Aims for sustainable governance, economic practices in Africa

Emmanuel Agida, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, has formally announced the launch of the Africa Centre for Governance, Economy and Development (CentreGED), a pan-African think tank dedicated to promoting leadership excellence, good governance, and sustainable economic practices across the continent.

In his announcement, Agida revealed the appointment of a national executive team in Nigeria, led by the newly named National Director, Mr. Godwin Alechenu, marking the official commencement of the Centre’s operations. He noted that the organization was founded in September 2024 and formally incorporated in November 2024, but with this launch, CentreGED begins full programming aimed at driving Africa’s governance and development agenda.

As part of the launch activities, Agida disclosed that an international press conference has been scheduled for 10th November 2025 in Lekki, Lagos. The event will feature several activities such as the inauguration and oath-taking ceremony of the National Director of Nigeria and executives from seven African countries (Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Cameroon, and Liberia), as well as the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada. The international press conference will also feature the formal unveiling of the Centre’s Board of Trustees, Advisory Board and Agenda 2026 which will outline strategic initiatives to advance governance reform and economic transformation across Africa.

Agida also announced that the organization will host its first Civic Tech Summit on Friday, 31st October 2025 at the America Corner, Lekki. With the theme: “Integrating Technology into Civic and Government Relations: Building Transparent, Inclusive, and Responsive Systems,” the summit will convene government officials, technology innovators, civic actors, and thought leaders to explore how digital tools can strengthen governance, enhance citizen engagement, and improve the delivery of public services.

The Civic Tech Summit will also mark the launch of CentreGED’s first civic technology platform — “Citizen’s Office”, a groundbreaking initiative designed to promote transparency and accountability in government practices by enabling citizens to track, engage with, and provide feedback on governance processes.

CentreGED is an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan think tank focused on research, policy innovation, capacity development, and advocacy. Its mission is to promote excellence in leadership and economic management, with the vision of becoming Africa’s leading platform for transformative governance and sustainable development.

Speaking on the Centre’s broader goals, Emmanuel Agida noted: “The launch of CentreGED represents a bold step towards repositioning Africa’s governance and economy on the global stage. Through our research, advocacy, and collaborative engagements, we are committed to building systems that not only sustain growth but also improve the lives of citizens across Africa.”

With a strong foundation in Nigeria and an expanding international presence, CentreGED is poised to shape policy debates, convene cross-sector leaders, and advance Africa’s development through evidence-based research and inclusive dialogue.