Africa needs more confident voices: Why communication coaching is key to our next generation of leaders

From classrooms to boardrooms, many voices go unheard.

Today, confidence is essential. It is a survival skill for young people and women. They face underemployment, limited leadership opportunities, and cultural expectations. Yet, the ability to express oneself clearly remains underdeveloped in our education system. This gap affects us personally and collectively.

This issue is personal to me. I once struggled with invisibility and public speaking. I know how it feels to hold back when you have something important to say.

Through coaching and practice, I changed my story. Now, as an international speaker and communication coach, I help others find their voice—especially those who feel unheard.

Africa is at a crucial moment. Our tech industries are growing rapidly. Cultural narratives are changing, with youth and women leading new ideas.

For this transformation to last, we need more than technical skills. We must also build confidence and communication tools that drive influence. This aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Take SDG 4: Quality Education. Education often focuses on literacy or professional training. However, lifelong learning should include emotional and relational skills too. Communication is vital for success in today’s world.

When young professionals learn to pitch ideas or lead meetings effectively, they gain valuable skills that benefit their organizations.

Now consider SDG 5: Gender Equality. Women in Africa are often underrepresented in leadership roles and silenced in discussions.

Subtle biases exist in boardrooms and deep-rooted cultural norms discourage women from speaking up. Confidence coaching creates safe spaces for women to rediscover their voices.

Empowering women isn’t just a personal victory; it helps create a balanced society.

Next is SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing. Emotional suppression can harm mental health significantly.

When couples struggle to connect or professionals feel invisible, it takes a toll on well-being.

My work includes The Marriage Series and various coaching sessions focused on better communication but also emotional resilience and growth.

Over the past few years, I've coached over 200 professionals across Nigeria through platforms like The Confident Speaker Bootcamp and The Marriage Series on LinkedIn Live.

My approach respects our shared values of faith, family, and purpose while nurturing both inner strength and outer expression.

Whether helping an executive present confidently or guiding couples toward deeper intimacy, transformation begins with finding one’s voice.

Africa has talent but lacks amplified voices—a gap we must close together.

If you’re a corporate leader wanting to empower your teams or an educator aiming for emotionally intelligent students—this invitation is for you!

Let’s raise bold communicators who can inspire change across our continent.

You can reach me via email at [email protected] or visit www.toluekwe.com for more information about the Confident Speaker Bootcamp or The Marriage Series live events.

Together let’s nurture the voices that will shape a better Africa—one conversation at a time!

Tolulope Ekwe is a marriage coach, public speaker, author of 12 children’s books focused on morals instruction and family bonding, as well as coauthor of two Amazon bestsellers: Lessons We Learned from COVID-19 and Raging Waters—a marriage novel written with her husband of 21 years.