Each year, I have the privilege of reflecting on the scale of Ashesi’s ambition—enabling a flourishing Africa driven by ethical leadership and innovation. And every year, I catch my breath at the urgency of our mission.

Solving big problems requires us to identify where potential energy exists, recognize what is already working, and apply effort to leverage that potential. Ashesi’s work is grounded in this principle. We seek out places where hope and possibility intersect, and we invest in unlocking the potential of young leaders who will carry this work forward for generations to come.

Each new milestone—a research effort that brings new insight into addressing pressing African climate adaptation challenges, a student who develops a machine learning algorithm to diagnose cataracts, a collective effort by African universities that leads to stronger learning outcomes for 320,000 students—reinforces our belief that change is happening, and we are making progress. Each new milestone gives us hope.

Hope, for me, is not the same as wishful thinking; it is the patient and persistent application of our talents to solve problems.

This year, our community continues to demonstrate what is possible when bold ideas meet determined action. Thank you for being part of this journey. Thank you for believing in this work and in the young leaders who will shape the continent’s future. There is much more to do, but if we remain aligned and keep pushing forward, we will see incredible things unfold.

Sincerely,