FORMER South African President Thabo Mbeki is expected to attend a breakfast roundtable that will discuss African leadership in Dar es Salaam on Thursday.

The event, jointly organised by UONGOZI Institute and the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, will bring together key stakeholders in Tanzania to have an open and objective discussion on the critical role of leadership in determining the future of the continent.

"The intention is not to prescribe a theory of leadership for Africa, but a discussion of the kind of leadership needed to address the development challenges facing the continent is crucial," said Prof Joseph Semboja, CEO of UONGOZI Institute in Dar es Salaam, Wednesday.

The Institute aims for the discussions, which will be moderated by Cleopa David Msuya, former Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, to go beyond just identifying challenges facing the continent and the usual criticism of governance, and address issues to do with the kind of leaders needed and what preparation is required in order for them to possess the necessary skills and ability to lead.

"It is imperative for Africa to have leaders with the capacity to face today's challenges and take Africa and her people to the next level," added Prof Semboja. Discussions will further explore the capability of leaders to act, in terms of tools and resources, the state of institutions, and the domestic and external environment - whether it supports, obstructs or is ambiguous to what leaders set out to accomplish.

UONGOZI Institute organises roundtable discussions with the aim of bringing leaders together to reflect on issues specific to realising sustainable development for the continent.