Delta Air Lines and JA Africa Empower Next Generation Of Female Leaders at 2026 LEAD Camp in Accra
Sixty-one young women from across Africa have graduated from the 2026 LEAD Camp in Accra, marking their induction into the 10 Million African Girls (10MAG) leadership community. The initiative, organized by JA Africa in partnership with Delta Air Lines, aims to equip young African women with leadership skills, mentorship, and opportunities to drive change across the continent.
Held from March 2 to March 8 in recognition of International Women's Day, the week-long camp brought together participants from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Mauritius, and Eswatini. Throughout the programme, the girls participated in immersive sessions designed to strengthen leadership capacity, entrepreneurial thinking, financial literacy, and decision-making skills.Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Simi Nwogugu, President and CEO of JA Africa, highlighted the organisation’s long-term vision of empowering African girls to take up leadership roles across the continent.
She explained that the 10 Million African Girls initiative aims to identify and mentor outstanding girls across Africa over the next two decades, equipping them with the skills and opportunities needed to lead transformative change by 2050.
“We believe Africa will reach its full potential when women are equally represented in leadership,” she said. “These young women are being prepared not just as leaders, but as servant leaders who will return to their communities and make meaningful contributions.”
A key highlight of the camp was the “Give to Gain” Social Impact Challenge, where participants worked in teams to design practical solutions to challenges affecting their communities.
Delivering a keynote address, Doris Kafui Afanyedey, Chief Executive Officer of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana, encouraged the girls to remain resilient and courageous in their leadership journeys.
“Failure is not the opposite of success; it is part of the journey,” she said. “Every great movement begins with someone brave enough to start.”
She further urged the participants to support and uplift one another, emphasizing that true leadership involves creating opportunities for others.
Also addressing the participants, Folois Gbasamosi, Vice President of Development and Regional SET4LYF Lead at JA Africa, described the girls as “outliers” who have been given opportunities many young girls across Africa do not have.
“You carry generations inside you,” she told the participants. “Because of you, future girls will have doors opened for them.”
As a key partner of the programme, Delta Air Lines reaffirmed its commitment to supporting youth development and gender inclusion across Africa.
According to Eloina Baddo, General Manager of Delta Airlines GSA in Ghana, the partnership reflects Delta’s broader commitment to creating meaningful impact in the communities where it operates.
“We want to ensure that we are not only flying into communities but also contributing to their development,” she said. “Programs like this equip young women with the skills and confidence to pursue leadership and entrepreneurial opportunities.”
Following their graduation, the participants were formally inducted into the 10MAG community, which provides ongoing mentorship, scholarships, and leadership opportunities designed to support their continued growth and impact.
As the 61 young leaders return to their respective countries, they carry with them new knowledge, networks, and a shared commitment to shaping a brighter future for Africa.
Delta Air Lines and JA Africa Empower Next Generation Of Female Leaders at 2026 LEAD Camp in Accra
