African tech doesn’t need more strongmen
- The culture of strongmen in African tech mirrors the political history of the continent, leading to centralized and personality-driven startups.
- Strongman leadership often results in talent leaving due to a lack of creativity and initiative, as well as disengagement from investors.
- During crises like currency devaluations, strongman-led firms struggle to adapt, while steward-led companies demonstrate resilience through distributed decision-making.
The strongman leadership model in African tech is detrimental to long-term success and innovation. It stifles creativity and creates a toxic work environment, ultimately hindering the growth of future leaders. A shift towards stewardship and collaborative leadership is crucial for the sustainability and resilience of startups in the region.
