NELA's Story

Nile Executive Leadership Academy boasts a remarkable story that dates back to its inception in 2020 as a pioneering leadership development program at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at Bahir Dar University. We firmly believe that leadership is the linchpin of success, serving as the driving force behind development and progress. We've had the privilege of graduating two cohorts of exceptional leadership fellows under the Leadership Development Program, who are now assuming pivotal leadership positions, and our impact continues to resonate. Today, we're proud to be a flagship and unique academy within Bahir Dar University, dedicated to empowering leaders across diverse industries and academic disciplines.

Our Vision and Approach

We aim to become one of Africa’s most prestigious executive education programs, renowned for adaptive curriculum and commitment to excellence. At NELA, we're committed to a holistic approach to leadership development, seamlessly blending ancient wisdom and indigenous knowledge with modern sciences to craft leaders who are adept at navigating complex challenges. Our methodology addresses the science, art, and practice of leadership in a nuanced way, tailored to the specific needs and level of training of our trainees. We focus on cultivating leaders who can contextualize the past, navigate the present with agility, and anticipate the future with foresight, creating a synergy where these three temporal dimensions converge.

Our Curriculum

Our adaptive curriculum is built around five foundational modules that are designed to equip our leaders with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to excel in their roles:

• Systems Thinking: Understanding complex systems, their interconnectedness, and the potential impact of infractions on the entire ecosystem.

• Personal Mastery: Developing self-awareness, personal growth, self-actualization, and self-transcendence to lead with authenticity and purpose.

• People Skills: Building effective relationships, communication, forming and managing high-performance teams, managing partnerships, and conflict resolution to foster a culture of collaboration and mutual respect.

• Strategic Execution: Driving results, achieving goals, and measuring success through data-driven decision-making and strategic planning.

• Organizational Transformation: Leading change, innovation, and sustainable development to create a lasting impact and legacy.

We're deeply committed to drawing on Ethiopian and African wisdoms to shape the mental models and social constructs of our leaders, empowering them to lead with cultural intelligence and sensitivity. Whether you're an experienced executive or an emerging leader, we invite you to explore our programs and discover how we can support your growth and development.

Join Us

Let's embark on this transformative journey to leadership excellence together. I'm eagerly looking forward to witnessing the profound impact our leaders will make in their organizations and beyond.

Prof. Yeshigeta Gelaw Birhanu, M.D, M.Med
Chief Executive Director
Nile Executive Leadership Academy (NELA)
Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia