Equipped to Eliminate: Ethiopia’s Health Leaders Mark their Leadership, Management and Governance Graduation in Mombasa

The coastal city of Mombasa played host to a significant milestone in Ethiopia’s fight against malaria, as 34 national health leaders graduated from the Leadership, Management and Governance (LMG) Programme cohort. Held from 19th to 22nd August 2025 at the Mombasa Serena Resort, the final module brought together representatives from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health and the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), alongside faculty from Strathmore Business School (SBS) and global health partners.

As the concluding stage of a transformative journey, the module sought to consolidate lessons learned in previous sessions while equipping participants with practical tools to advance Ethiopia’s malaria elimination agenda. With malaria continuing to pose a formidable public health challenge, the training placed strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making, sustainability in financing, operational excellence, and alignment with regional and global initiatives.

During their stay in Mombasa, the participants were taken through a rich blend of interactive sessions, case studies, simulations, and field visits. They reflected on Ethiopia’s malaria strategy and how it fits into regional and global elimination efforts, while sharpening their skills in data analysis and evidence-based planning. Sustainability was a recurring theme, with faculty guiding them through innovative financing mechanisms and the realities of transitioning away from donor dependency. Policy discussions underscored the importance of embedding malaria firmly within national development priorities and ensuring that it remains both a political and technical priority.

The programme also introduced participants to practical approaches for operational excellence, equipping them with tools to bridge the gap between high-level strategies and on-the-ground implementation. A field visit to the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust campus provided invaluable insights into cutting-edge malaria research, reinforcing the importance of linking policy and practice with science. The module culminated in project presentations, where participants showcased how they had applied LMG principles within their own work contexts, followed by a graduation ceremony that celebrated both their personal growth and collective achievement.

The Ethiopia Module 4 training registered a 100% completion rate, with all 34 participants successfully graduating. Beyond knowledge acquisition, the programme fostered a spirit of collaboration and ownership, as participants pledged to trickle down their learning within their institutions and communities. Feedback revealed appreciation for the sessions on financing sustainability, operational excellence, and the unique learning experience offered by the KEMRI Wellcome Trust visit.

For Ethiopia, this graduation marks not only the end of a training programme—but it represents a strengthened cadre of leaders equipped to drive the country closer to its malaria elimination goals. By joining the wider LMG alumni network across Africa, the Ethiopian national leaders become part of a growing movement championing strong leadership and governance in public health. Their collective journey underscores one clear truth: the path to malaria elimination will not be walked by science and policy alone, but by leaders empowered to ethically transform systems and inspire change.

Article by: Judith A. Amolo