Boards for Africa’s
Sustainable Future
with world-class governance, leadership, and strategic
oversight skills.
A Pan-African Institute Advancing Board Excellence and Ethical Leadership
Directors Institute Africa (DIA) is a premier leadership and governance institute dedicated to shaping ethical, effective, and future-focused boards across the continent. We strengthen boardroom culture, improve decision-making, and elevate the standards of corporate leadership in Africa.
DIA is founded on a simple but powerful premise: Africa’s core constraint is not a lack of resources, but a deficit in governance quality, leadership ethics, and board effectiveness.
The Problem Statement
Across Africa, organisations across the corporate, public and nonprofit sectors face weak board oversight, limited director development, ethical failures, poor succession planning and fragile risk governance; Directors Institute Africa (DIA)Â provides the solution by professionalising board practice, strengthening ethical leadership, and equipping directors with the skills, insight and foresight needed for effective, accountable and future-ready governance.
DIA Board Training & Certification
DIA provides board training programs that equip leaders for effective governance. These programs help build strong, knowledgeable, high-performing boards.
DIA Board Services
DIA offers Board Services that enhance governance and leadership, providing training and guidance to help boards operate effectively and strategically.
Choose DIA For Your Director Certification
Join Directors Institute Africa for Pan-African governance excellence grounded in global best practice. Gain practical, boardroom-ready skills with trusted guidance in leadership, ethics, and strategy. Become part of a powerful network of influential leaders shaping organizations across the continent
Programmes and Services
Board Induction & Sensitisation
Governance Diagnostics & Audit
Strategic Planning Facilitation
Professional Director Development
Director Institute Africa Premier Leadership and Governance Institute.
Professional Director Development
DIA Governing Board
The Governing Board is the highest decision-making authority of DIA. It provides strategic oversight, approves policy, and ensures that the Institute fulfils its mission.
Albert Edward Le Roux
Board Chair
Dr James Tsabora
Vice Chair
Dr Solomon Chikanda
Board Member
Dr Cynthia Simwaka
Board Member
Dr Tendai Mabvure
Board Member
Averess Ndhlovu – Chella
Board Member
Mr Kenneth Tshweneetsile
Board Member
Dr Shylet Chigwende
Board Member
Takesure Chimenya
Board Member
Founding Intent & Philosophy
Directors Institute Africa is founded on the belief that Africa’s development challenge is not primarily a shortage of resources, but a deficit in governance quality, leadership ethics and board effectiveness.
DIA is conceived as:
- A neutral convenor of directors and governance actors
- A capacity‑building institution rather than a lobby group
- A pan‑African platform rooted in African realities but aligned with global best practice
Its philosophy is anchored in integrity, competence, accountability, stewardship and service.
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Articles & Insights
HOW TO PREPARE TO BE A BOARD MEMBER
HOW TO PREPARE TO BE A BOARD MEMBER Becoming a board member is one of the highest forms of leadership in both corporate and non-profit sectors. It goes beyond attending meetings—board members shape strategy, uphold governance, and ensure organizations deliver on their mission. Preparing for such a role requires intentional effort across several areas. 1….
10 THINGS THAT DESTROY BOARD MEMBERS
10 THINGS THAT DESTROY BOARD MEMBERS Serving on a board is one of the highest calls to leadership. You influence strategy, safeguard integrity, and shape the future of your organisation.But here’s the truth: Most board members don’t fail because of markets, politics, or competition. They fail because of their own unmanaged behaviours. I’ve watched highly…
I WATCHED A CEO WALK OUT OF A BOARD MEETING — AND IT CHANGED HOW I SEE GOVERNANCE
I WATCHED A CEO WALK OUT OF A BOARD MEETING — AND IT CHANGED HOW I SEE GOVERNANCE I once heard a story that changed how I think about governance. A colleague told me about a board meeting that started like any other, reports were being presented, numbers debated, risks reviewed. But halfway through the…