31 October 2025
By Belisa Rodrigues
Part of being a senior leader in any industry is passing the baton to the next generation. I recently had the privilege of doing just that during the African Leadership Academy (ALA) for Governance Community Call. Speaking to 40 vibrant young leaders across the continent, we explored a theme deeply central to my journey: building a career of impact.
Belisa Rodrigues, Founder of Belle & Co.. Source: Encyclopaedia Africana
Many people view public service and policy work as rigid, dry, or purely bureaucratic. But my path has been anything but linear. By combining education, continuous innovation, and advocacy, I’ve found that a career in policy can be just as dynamic and fulfilling as any creative industry.
During the session, I shared three core strategies for navigating the governance landscape:
The power of volunteering: True impact often begins by saying “yes” to roles that prioritize hands-on experience over immediate financial gain. It is the quickest path to sharpening your skills and proving your dedication to a cause.
Building a Pan-African network: Whether advocating for artists with the Arterial Network or collaborating globally through the Innovation for Policy Foundation (i4Policy), I have learned that our real strength lies in cross-border solidarity.
Following your north star: Governance work is demanding. Your internal values and sense of purpose must act as your compass. When your daily work aligns with your deepest beliefs, a career naturally shifts from being just a job to a lifelong mission.
The incredible enthusiasm from these 40 young changemakers proved that the future of ethical African governance is in highly capable hands. If you follow your passion, your career path will inherently become a canvas for genuine change.
More about Innovation for Policy
Innovation for Policy (i4Policy) is a not-for-profit organisation with Pan-African roots. We believe in building a better future by placing the power of the collective at the heart of decision-making.
We bridge the gap between top-down government structures and bottom-up community needs. From local laws to global climate agreements, we support governments and citizens to co-create the policies that govern them. We are shifting the rules of the game; proving that when you democratize decision-making, you build legitimate, lasting systems that benefit us all.
- Visit: i4policy.org
More about the African Leadership Academy
African Leadership Academy seeks to transform Africa by developing a powerful network of young leaders who will work together to address Africa’s greatest challenges, achieve extraordinary social impact, and accelerate the continent’s growth trajectory.
AL for Governance is a network that aims to address Africa’s governance and development challenges by developing a new generation of ethical public leaders. The network facilitates diverse career pathways into the governance sector for young leaders, catalyzes connections between members, and fosters powerful intergenerational mentorship relationships to drive lasting change. It strengthens the professional development of its young network members by facilitating internship and job opportunities, promotes dialogue and inclusivity as key success factors to fostering a thriving culture of effective governance, and builds a community that collaborates between network members to solve complex public policy and governance challenges.