The Chief Executive Officer of the African Association of Accountants General, Mr. Fredrick Riaga – FCPA delivered a strong call for inclusive leadership and people-centred governance during his address at the ACCA Africa Members Convention (AMC) 2025, held in Mombasa, Kenya. Speaking during a panel on organisational leadership on December 4, 2025, Mr. Riaga urged African institutions to view the continent’s vast diversity as a strategic advantage that can power innovation, resilience, and sustainable development.
“When Africa becomes the platform where inclusion fuels transformation, then the African dream becomes an achievable reality,” Mr. Riaga said, setting the tone for an exciting discussion on organisational leadership and how it can effectively harness the strengths of diverse, inclusive teams to foster innovation and resilience.
During his address, Riaga pointed to Africa’s demographic realities: over 1.46 billion people, hundreds of cultures, and the youngest population in the world – as evidence that diversity is not an obstacle but a source of strength. He argued that institutions that reflect this diversity in their leadership and teams are better positioned to think globally, stay relevant, and design solutions rooted in African realities. Approximately 70% of Africa’s population is under the age of 30.
“A future-ready workforce is not merely about filling positions – it is about creating a pipeline of younger, technologically adept, innovation-minded professionals capable of sustaining IPSAS reforms, driving digitalisation, strengthening accountability, and safeguarding the continent’s financial governance systems”, he noted. “Africa’s competitiveness will rest on how deliberately it nurtures this talent and how effectively African leaders can champion youth empowerment as a continental priority.”
The just concluded 3rd AAAG Conference in Accra, Ghana, he said, underscored that Africa must leverage its demographic dividend by investing in digital skills, leadership development, ethical competence, and structured succession planning to prepare the next generation for strategic PFM roles.
When Africa becomes the platform where inclusion fuels transformation, then the African dream becomes an achievable reality.
Riaga’s address underscored the role of the African Association of Accountants General (AAAG) in advancing an inclusive growth and shared vision for Africa. Established with the support of the African Union, AAAG works to strengthen Public Financial Management across the continent by promoting international standards, deepening transparency, and supporting digital and fiscal reforms. Riaga noted that Accountants General are central actors in economic governance and must be empowered to drive reforms that improve service delivery and resource utilisation.
He highlighted the need to treat diversity as a strategic resource for global leadership, integrate youth into governance and financial systems, and intentionally build multigenerational and multidisciplinary teams capable of solving complex national challenges. He emphasised that Africa’s demographic dividend will only yield results if young professionals are mentored, empowered, and given space to lead.
Riaga also pushed for flexible and supportive work models that reflect modern realities – hybrid work, digital learning, side ventures, and mobility- all of which, he argued, improve retention and morale in the workforce. On governance, he noted that rebuilding trust between governments and citizens requires cultures where transparency, accountability and people centred services are lived daily and where new ideas carry weight alongside institutional experience.
AMC 2025 is organised by ACCA Africa, bringing together ACCA members, public-sector leaders, finance professionals, and policymakers from across the continent. The convention serves as a platform for professional development and dialogue on emerging issues shaping the accounting and finance profession. The 2025 edition in Mombasa is centred on the theme “Leading an Evolved Profession for a Changed World,” with discussions covering artificial intelligence, net-zero transitions, public-procurement risks, ethics, governance, and workforce wellbeing.