“When a young woman is given the chance to lead, she doesn't just rise - she becomes a force that lifts communities, rewrites futures, and transform nations. That's why we built KAYA: to unleash that power a million times over across Africa.”

Kosi Yankey-Ayeh (Mrs.)
Founder, KAYA Women’s Leadership Institute

About us

KAYA WLI was born out of a deeply personal journey. In 2016, our founder, Kosi Antwiwaa Yankey-Ayeh, while studying at the Harvard Kennedy School, participated in two transformative programs—the Center for Public Leadership (CPL) and the "From Harvard Square to the Oval Office" initiative under the Women and Public Policy Program. These experiences ignited her vision to amplify women's voices and leadership in Ghana and beyond. Supported by a grant from the Women and Public Policy Program, Kosi launched an initiative to promote women’s leadership in public service—laying the foundation for what would become KAYA.

Today, KAYA WLI exists to create transformative opportunities for women—especially young women—to lead with confidence, drive positive change, achieve economic empowerment, and contribute meaningfully to national and global progress.

Our Motivation

Every young woman holds a spark powerful enough to ignite change—across communities, nations, and the world. But too often, that potential is stifled by barriers she didn’t choose: poverty, discrimination, limited access, and unequal opportunity. At KAYA Women’s Leadership Institute, we’re here to change that.

Our bold commitment: to empower 10 million young women across Africa to rise as resilient, visionary leaders in both public and private spheres. Because when women rise, families thrive, economies grow, and futures are rewritten.

Empower a woman. Transform the world.

Vision

Inspiring women to lead boldly, shape inclusive communities and drive sustainable development across the world.

Mission

Empowering girls and women by cultivating their leadership potential, providing transformative learning experiences, fostering inclusive networks and promoting economic empowerment to drive meaningful societal progress.

Core Values

Empowerment

Equity & Inclusion

Leadership with Purpose

Integrity & Accountability