African Leaders Launch Academy to Train Global Negotiators
African leaders and policy institutions have launched a new academy to strengthen the skills of government officials and technical experts who negotiate major international agreements.
The initiative, called the Sankoree Institute of Global Negotiators (SIGN), was unveiled in Kigali during the Africa CEO Forum by AfroChampions and the African School of Governance. It is Africa’s first structured professional credentialing programme for sovereign negotiators, officials responsible for striking deals with multinational corporations, creditors, and foreign governments.
The agreement establishing SIGN was signed by Paulo Gomes and Francis Gatare, with support from former and current African leaders including Olusegun Obasanjo, John Dramani Mahama, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and Hailemariam Desalegn.
Organisers explained that many African countries enter complex negotiations without the same technical preparation or institutional backing available to their international counterparts. This often leads to weak contracts, revenue losses, and reduced policy flexibility. SIGN aims to close this gap by offering practical training through “Deal Labs” based on real negotiation scenarios.
Participants will also use an artificial intelligence powered platform, the OCTagon Suite, for precedent analysis, intelligence gathering, and scenario modelling. The institute will operate from the Kigali campus of the African School of Governance and award Associate and Fellow certifications, renewable every three years.
Organisers say the programme will build a continent wide network of highly trained negotiators capable of securing stronger outcomes in strategic sectors such as mining, debt restructuring, trade, climate finance, and public health.
SIGN is part of the broader Accra Reset initiative, a sovereignty focused movement led by African heads of state and former leaders to strengthen Africa’s economic and political influence and amplify the voice of the Global South. The Accra Reset also includes programmes on health industrialisation, labour mobility, economic transformation, and reforms to global governance.
The African School of Governance, co founded by Paul Kagame and Hailemariam Desalegn, will provide academic and accreditation support, while AfroChampions will contribute case studies, partnerships, and policy expertise.
The launch ceremony and press briefing were held at the Kigali Convention Centre, where leaders emphasised that SIGN represents a turning point in Africa’s ability to negotiate fairer deals and protect its long term interests.
