Abuja, January 2026: African leaders have been urged to develop talents of their people as talent resilience will be the continent’s competitive edge in 2026.Caroline Lucas, Director Special Projects at the United Kingdom based leadership development organization TEXEM UK, made this assertion on the website, www.texem.co.uk adding that talent is the new currency of sovereignty.
Lucas asserted that in the global theater of economic disruption, the traditional metrics of national power—natural resources, infrastructure, and fiscal reserves—are being eclipsed by a more volatile and vital asset which is, talent resilience.
“For African nations and the CEOs leading the continent’s largest enterprises, the current global shift represents more than a challenge; it is a litmus test for long-term survival.
“As cycles of technological upheaval and economic pressure accelerate, the divide between stagnant and thriving economies will be determined by one factor: the ability to protect, reskill, and retain human capital under duress,” she said.
Lucas said the compounding advantage of human capital is that national competitiveness is no longer a static achievement but a kinetic one.
“Countries and organisations that treat talent as a depreciating expense rather than a compounding asset, risk permanent displacement.
“When an organisation or a nation invests in reskilling during a downturn, it doesn’t just maintain the status quo—it builds a “compounding advantage.
“While competitors are focused on cost-cutting and workforce reduction, resilient leaders are retooling their people to handle the next wave of innovation. When the cycle eventually turns, these entities do not have to restart; they accelerate,” she said.
Lucas explained that to lead through this transition, African CEOs and policymakers must pivot toward three strategic imperatives or pillars in the new economy.
“The first is protecting the core. In times of pressure, the instinct is to shed “overhead.” However, losing institutional knowledge during a crisis is a long-term tax on growth. Protection means creating psychological safety and stability that allows talent to innovate rather than retreat into survival mode.
“Second is agile reskilling. The shelf-life of technical skills is shrinking. Leadership development must focus on “learning to learn.” By embedding continuous education into the organisational DNA, African firms can bridge the gap between current capabilities and future demands without relying on external recruitment.
“Aggressive Retention is the third. Africa is often a net exporter of talent (the “Brain Drain”). National competitiveness depends on creating environments where the most ambitious minds feel they can achieve “compounding success” at home. This requires a shift in culture—moving from hierarchical command-and-control to meritocratic, purpose-driven leadership,” the TEXEM Director said
Speaking of choice before the leaders, Lucas said Africa stands at a crossroads.
She said the continent has the youngest population on earth adding that this is a demographic dividend that can either be their greatest strength or most significant liability.
“If Africa allows its talent to erode under pressure, it will cede its competitive future. If, however, it chooses to anchor its strategies in Talent Resilience, it will ensure that its nations and organisations do not just weather the storm, but emerge as the architects of the new global economy.
“The cycle will turn. The only question is: Will your organization be ready to lead when it does?” Lucas asked.
Lucas announced that in February 2026, TEXEM will be hosting a virtual programme for Nigerian and African leaders in this regard.
She said the programme titled, Leading through Disruption: Strategy, Agility and Influence will bring together internationally reputable TEXEM faculty expected to deliver it, using TEXEM’s well known methodology.
The faculty include Prof. Nicholas Cheeseman, Prof. Neal Hartman and Graham Stuart, MP
Cheeseman is a leading scholar of good governance and accountability and former don at the University of Oxford.
Hartman is a Senior Lecturer in Managerial Communication at the MIT Sloan School of Management. His teaching of management communication and intercultural communication emphasises working in teams, conflict and conflict resolution, leadership, and cross-cultural communication.
Stuart is a British Conservative Party politician and businessman who has served as the Member of Parliament for Beverley and Holderness since 2005.
He previously served in various ministerial positions under Prime Ministers Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak between 2018 and 2024.
The cost of the programmes is, £2,000, with £1,750 discount and £1,500 early bird by January 15.
For further enquiries, prospective participants are to contact www.texem.co.uk
