African Leadership University (ALU) is a pioneering higher education institution founded by Ghanaian entrepreneur and educator Fred Swaniker. Swaniker’s journey into education began at the age of 18 when he became a headmaster at a school in Botswana. This formative experience ignited his passion for transformative education and leadership development. After completing his MBA at Stanford University, he co-founded the African Leadership Academy in 2004, aiming to identify and train the next generation of African leaders. Building upon this vision, he established ALU in 2015 with campuses in Mauritius and Rwanda, focusing on cultivating ethical, entrepreneurial leaders across the continent.

ALU’s mission is to develop a critical mass of ethical, entrepreneurial leaders who will drive Africa’s transformation. The university employs an innovative educational model where students declare a mission—such as solving climate change or enhancing healthcare—rather than choosing traditional majors. This approach emphasizes practical problem-solving, leadership, and real-world application. ALU aims to train 3 million leaders by 2035, leveraging Africa's youthful population to meet global labor demands.