Mo Ibrahim Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation was launched in October 2006 to support good governance and great leadership in Africa.
It was founded by Dr.Mo Ibrahim
, a Sudanese philanthropist and businessman who founded telecommunications company Celtel International in 1998.
Dr.Ibrahim is the Chair of the Board. Other Board members are Lord Simon Cairns, Mamphela Ramphele
, Ketumile Masire, Mary Robinson
, Salim Ahmed Salim
, Nathalie Delapalme and Hadeel Ibrahim.
The Foundation’s Secretariat is based in London
.
The Foundation works to achieve these objectives through four major programme areas:
With a $5 million initial payment, plus $200,000 a year for life, the Prize is believed to be the world's largest, exceeding the $1.3m Nobel Peace Prize
. Former South African President Nelson Mandela
, former United States President Bill Clinton
, and former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan
are among those who have welcomed the initiative.
The winner of the Prize is chosen by an independent Prize Committee. The Committee is chaired by Salim Ahmed Salim, who took over from former chair Kofi Annan in 2011. Other members of the Committee are Festus Mogae
, Martti Ahtisaari
, Mohamed ElBaradei, Mary Robinson, Aïcha Bah Diallo and Graça Machel
.
Countries are graded on factors which fall into four main areas: Safety and Rule of Law, Participation and Human Rights, Sustainable Economic Opportunity and Human Development.
It was first published in 2007 in partnership with Kennedy School of Government Professor Robert I. Rotberg and ranked the performance of the 48 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Index is now compiled under the auspices of African academics and researchers, whose work is supported by a number of major African governance institutions. In 2009, the Index included all 53 African countries for the first time, including those in North Africa.
In 2009 the Foundation held the forum in Dar es Salaam
where members of civil society, the media, academia, regional bodies, NGOs and government debated climate change and climate justice; agriculture and food security; and regional economic integration.
In 2010 the forum was held in Mauritius
and focused on the need for greater regional integration in Africa. The forum was opened by the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, and African Union Commission Chairperson, Jean Ping.
In 2011 the Foundation will host a forum in Tunis, Tunisia
, on Africa’s agricultural development, food security and rural development.
, the American University in Cairo
, the London Business School
or the School of Oriental and African Studies
.
In 2009 the Foundation launched the Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships programme with the African Development Bank
, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
, and the World Trade Organization
. The Programme provides young Africans with mentoring opportunities in each of these organisations and aims to help create a new generation of African leaders.
It was founded by Dr.Mo Ibrahim
Mo Ibrahim
Dr. Mohamed "Mo" Ibrahim is a Sudanese mobile communications entrepreneur and billionaire. He worked for several other telecommunications companies before founding Celtel, which when sold had over 24 million mobile phone subscribers in 14 African countries...
, a Sudanese philanthropist and businessman who founded telecommunications company Celtel International in 1998.
Dr.Ibrahim is the Chair of the Board. Other Board members are Lord Simon Cairns, Mamphela Ramphele
Mamphela Ramphele
Mamphela Aletta Ramphele is a South African academic, businesswoman and medical doctor and was an anti-apartheid activist. She is a current trustee on the board of the Rockefeller Foundation in New York.-Life and career:...
, Ketumile Masire, Mary Robinson
Mary Robinson
Mary Therese Winifred Robinson served as the seventh, and first female, President of Ireland from 1990 to 1997, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, from 1997 to 2002. She first rose to prominence as an academic, barrister, campaigner and member of the Irish Senate...
, Salim Ahmed Salim
Salim Ahmed Salim
Salim Ahmed Salim a Tanzanian diplomat who has worked in the international diplomatic arena since the early 1960s. Salim is married to Amne and they have three children: Maryam, Ali and Ahmed....
, Nathalie Delapalme and Hadeel Ibrahim.
The Foundation’s Secretariat is based in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Goals
The stated aims of the foundation are to:- Provide a framework and tools with which citizens and governments can assess and measure progress in governance
- Recognise excellence in African leadership and provide a practical way in which leaders can build positive legacies on the continent when they have left national office
- Stimulate debate on the quality of governance and major governance issues in Africa
- Develop leadership and governance capacity in Africa
The Foundation works to achieve these objectives through four major programme areas:
- The Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership
- The Ibrahim Index of African Governance
- The Ibrahim Discussion Forum
- Capacity Building Programmes
The Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership
In 2006, the Foundation launched the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. The Prize is awarded to democratically elected former African Heads of State who have delivered security, health, education, rights, rule of law and economic development to their constituents and who have democratically transferred power to their successors in the last three years. According to Ibrahim, "Good governance is crucial."With a $5 million initial payment, plus $200,000 a year for life, the Prize is believed to be the world's largest, exceeding the $1.3m Nobel Peace Prize
Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
. Former South African President Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
, former United States President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
, and former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
are among those who have welcomed the initiative.
The winner of the Prize is chosen by an independent Prize Committee. The Committee is chaired by Salim Ahmed Salim, who took over from former chair Kofi Annan in 2011. Other members of the Committee are Festus Mogae
Festus Mogae
Festus Gontebanye Mogae is a Botswana politician who was President of Botswana from 1998 to 2008. He succeeded Quett Masire as President in 1998 and was reelected in October 2004; after ten years in office, he stepped down in 2008 and was succeeded by Lieutenant General Ian Khama...
, Martti Ahtisaari
Martti Ahtisaari
Martti Oiva Kalevi Ahtisaari is a Finnish politician, the tenth President of Finland , Nobel Peace Prize laureate and United Nations diplomat and mediator, noted for his international peace work....
, Mohamed ElBaradei, Mary Robinson, Aïcha Bah Diallo and Graça Machel
Graça Machel
Graça Machel, DBE is a Mozambican politician and humanitarian. She is the third wife of former South African president Nelson Mandela and the widow of Mozambican president Samora Machel...
.
- In 2007 the inaugural Prize was awarded to former president Joaquim ChissanoJoaquim ChissanoJoaquim Alberto Chissano served as the second President of Mozambique for nineteen years from 6 November 1986 until 2 February 2005. Since stepping down as president, Chissano has become an elder statesman and is called upon by international bodies, such as the United Nations, to be an envoy or...
of MozambiqueMozambiqueMozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
, for "his role in leading Mozambique from conflict to peace and democracy." Nelson Mandela was also made an Honorary Laureate in recognition of his extraordinary leadership qualities and achievements. - In 2008 Festus MogaeFestus MogaeFestus Gontebanye Mogae is a Botswana politician who was President of Botswana from 1998 to 2008. He succeeded Quett Masire as President in 1998 and was reelected in October 2004; after ten years in office, he stepped down in 2008 and was succeeded by Lieutenant General Ian Khama...
, former leader of BotswanaBotswanaBotswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
, won the Ibrahim Prize. Kofi Annan stated: "President Mogae's outstanding leadership has ensured Botswana's continued stability and prosperity in the face of an HIV/AIDS pandemic, which threatened the future of his country and people." Both awards ceremonies were held in the Egyptian city of AlexandriaAlexandriaAlexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
. - In 2009 the Prize Committee did not select a winner. The controversial decision came following the consideration of "credible candidates" and was interpreted by many as a laudable act in establishing a standard of credibility for the Prize.
- In 2010 the Prize Committee decided not to award the prize.
- In 2011 the Prize was awarded to Pedro PiresPedro PiresPedro Verona Rodrigues Pires was the President of Cape Verde from March 2001 to September 2011. Before becoming President, he was Prime Minister from 1975 to 1991....
, former president of Cape VerdeCape VerdeThe Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
.
The Ibrahim Index of African Governance
The Ibrahim Index is an annual assessment of African countries based on the quality of their governance. It aims to provide a tool for citizens to assess progress in their country and hold their governments to account.Countries are graded on factors which fall into four main areas: Safety and Rule of Law, Participation and Human Rights, Sustainable Economic Opportunity and Human Development.
It was first published in 2007 in partnership with Kennedy School of Government Professor Robert I. Rotberg and ranked the performance of the 48 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Index is now compiled under the auspices of African academics and researchers, whose work is supported by a number of major African governance institutions. In 2009, the Index included all 53 African countries for the first time, including those in North Africa.
- 2007 Index: MauritiusMauritiusMauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
, the SeychellesSeychellesSeychelles , officially the Republic of Seychelles , is an island country spanning an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some east of mainland Africa, northeast of the island of Madagascar....
, and BotswanaBotswanaBotswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
were ranked first, second and third, while ChadChadChad , officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west...
, the Democratic Republic of the CongoDemocratic Republic of the CongoThe Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
, and SomaliaSomaliaSomalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
held the third lowest, second lowest and lowest places respectively. Ibrahim's home country, SudanSudanSudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
, ranked fourth lowest. The EconomistThe EconomistThe Economist is an English-language weekly news and international affairs publication owned by The Economist Newspaper Ltd. and edited in offices in the City of Westminster, London, England. Continuous publication began under founder James Wilson in September 1843...
noted that small island countries seemed to do better than their counterparts on the mainland.
- 2008 Index: Mauritius, the Seychelles and Cape VerdeCape VerdeThe Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
were ranked first, second and third, while Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Somalia held the third lowest, second lowest and lowest places respectively. The 2008 Index found that two thirds of sub-Saharan African countries saw an improvement in governance.
- 2009 Index: Mauritius, Cape Verde and the Seychelles were ranked first, second and third, while ZimbabweZimbabweZimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
, Chad and Somalia held the third lowest, second lowest and lowest places respectively. The 2009 Index found that Southern Africa was outpacing North Africa in governance performance.
- 2010 Index: Mauritius, the Seychelles and Botswana were ranked first, second and third, while Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia held the third lowest, second lowest and lowest places respectively. The 2010 Index showed overall improvements human and economic development but declines in political rights, personal safety and the rule of law.
- 2011 Index: Mauritius, Cape Verde and Botswana were ranked first, second and third, while Zimbabwe, Chad and Somalia held the third lowest, second lowest and lowest places respectively. The 2011 Index illustrated that countries that pursue a balanced approach to all dimensions of governance achieve the most success.
The Ibrahim Discussion Forum
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation also hosts an annual forum at which participants discuss and debate a particular topic on the African agenda.In 2009 the Foundation held the forum in Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam , formerly Mzizima, is the largest city in Tanzania. It is also the country's richest city and a regionally important economic centre. Dar es Salaam is actually an administrative province within Tanzania, and consists of three local government areas or administrative districts: ...
where members of civil society, the media, academia, regional bodies, NGOs and government debated climate change and climate justice; agriculture and food security; and regional economic integration.
In 2010 the forum was held in Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
and focused on the need for greater regional integration in Africa. The forum was opened by the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, and African Union Commission Chairperson, Jean Ping.
In 2011 the Foundation will host a forum in Tunis, Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
, on Africa’s agricultural development, food security and rural development.
Capacity Building Programmes
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation offers scholarships to African students studying at the Ahfad University in KhartoumKhartoum
Khartoum is the capital and largest city of Sudan and of Khartoum State. It is located at the confluence of the White Nile flowing north from Lake Victoria, and the Blue Nile flowing west from Ethiopia. The location where the two Niles meet is known as "al-Mogran"...
, the American University in Cairo
American University in Cairo
The American University in Cairo is an independent, non-profit, apolitical, secular institution of higher learning located in Cairo, Egypt...
, the London Business School
London Business School
London Business School is an international business school and a constituent college of the federal University of London, located in central London, beside Regent's Park...
or the School of Oriental and African Studies
School of Oriental and African Studies
The School of Oriental and African Studies is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the University of London...
.
In 2009 the Foundation launched the Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships programme with the African Development Bank
African Development Bank
The African Development Bank Group is a development bank established in 1964 with the intention of promoting economic and social development in Africa...
, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa was established in 1958 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council to encourage economic cooperation among its member states following a recommendation of the United Nations General Assembly.It is one of five regional commissions.The ECA...
, and the World Trade Organization
World Trade Organization
The World Trade Organization is an organization that intends to supervise and liberalize international trade. The organization officially commenced on January 1, 1995 under the Marrakech Agreement, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade , which commenced in 1948...
. The Programme provides young Africans with mentoring opportunities in each of these organisations and aims to help create a new generation of African leaders.
External links
- Mo Ibrahim Foundation Official website
- Facebook Official Facebook page
- Flickr Official Flickr page
- Twitter Official Twitter page