Leading with Equanimity: Beyond DEI

Over the past decade, I’ve dedicated my career to being part of the change I wanted in African  startups & business ecosystem, learning profound lessons about the complexities of an unpredictable emerging markets. 

Working closely with startup teams for over six-month to year-long engagements, I’ve helped establish strategic policies, streamline operations, and resolve systemic bottlenecks—all while providing executive coaching to align visions with actionable plans. My role extended beyond advisory: it involved building operational foundations, navigating local regulations, and empowering leaders to drive sustainable growth.

Ethiopia—a nation of 120 million people and an average GDP growth of 6.5% over the past decade—is shedding its historical legacies of feudalism, socialism, and tribalism. With a tech sector growing at 20% annually and foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows reaching $4.3 billion in 2022, the country is poised to become East Africa’s innovation hub. During my tenure as COO of Zemen International Commercial Bank, we crafted foundational policies and branding strategies that positioned it as Ethiopia’s most innovative and profitable financial institution (assets surpassing $1.8 billion by 2023). This experience taught me that transformative change is possible, even amid resistance, and that individual leadership can spark systemic progress.

Africa’s Crossroads: Challenges & Opportunities

Across the continent, I’ve witnessed systemic inefficiencies: 60% of Africa’s population lives on less than $2/day, wealth inequality persists, and reliance on outdated colonial frameworks stifles progress. Consider this paradox: Africa holds 60% of the world’s arable land, yet remains a net food importer (spending $75 billion annually on food imports). Meanwhile, post-harvest losses cost sub-Saharan Africa $4 billion yearly, highlighting gaps in infrastructure and innovation. Too often, development efforts prioritize aid over empowering private-sector innovation. Only 5% of Africa’s $700 billion annual agricultural market comes from processed goods, underscoring the untapped potential for value-added industries. This gap inspired me to act.

My father’s teachings—hard work, self-reliance, and faith—shaped my approach to leadership. These values fueled my success in both U.S. and African contexts, and they drive my belief in Africa’s untapped potential. If I can thrive against the odds, why not the continent’s 1.8 billion people?

Pandemic Lessons: AI, Resilience, & Equanimity

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored our shared humanity and the urgency of equitable solutions. During this period, I led a startup project leveraging AI to provide uncollateralized loans to Africa’s 350 million unbanked adults—17% of the global unbanked population. With mobile money adoption surging (45% of sub-Saharan Africans now use mobile wallets), digital solutions are bridging gaps. Steering a team of young tech innovators and seasoned professionals, I prioritized equanimity—calm, inclusive leadership that transcends traditional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) frameworks. By fostering psychological safety and structured problem-solving, we achieved our targets while nurturing a culture of mutual respect.

A New Leadership Paradigm for Africa’s Future

Today, AI and evolving leadership models are reshaping global economies. Africa’s youth—70% of whom are under 30—are at the forefront of this shift. The continent boasts over 640 tech hubs, with startups raising $5.4 billion in funding in 2022 alone. Entrepreneurs now launch businesses in under an hour using AI tools, compelling investors and policymakers to adapt. With abundant resources, cutting-edge technology, and a dynamic workforce, Africa has no excuse for stagnation. By 2030, AI could contribute $1.2 trillion to Africa’s GDP, but only if leaders prioritize equitable access, lead with equanimity beyond DEI. It’s time to replace dependency with self-sufficiency, misinformation with collaboration, and short-term fixes with sustainable systems.

Equanimity: The Heart of Transformative Leadership

Equanimity—the practice of maintaining composure amid chaos—is the cornerstone of impactful leadership. It moves beyond DEI checklists to cultivate environments where every voice is valued. Here’s how leaders can integrate this principle:

1. Redefine Resilience: Equanimity enables leaders to navigate crises with clarity, fostering organizational cultures rooted in stability and optimism. Companies with emotionally intelligent leaders report 34% higher employee retention.

2. Bridge DEI Gaps: Use calm, intentional dialogue to address systemic inequities. Gender-diverse teams are 25% more likely to outperform financially, yet women hold only 5% of Africa’s CEO roles.

3. Cultivate Cultural Fluency: Understand diverse perspectives without reactive judgment. Africa’s 2,000+ languages and ethnic groups demand nuanced leadership**.

4. Champion Emotional Intelligence: Balance self-awareness with empathy to build trust. Teams with high psychological safety see a 76% boost in engagement.

In my 30s, after working hard, focused & disciplined half my life, I achieved “Western-defined” success as a AVP of a fortune 500 company, COO of an international bank and CEO of the first Ethiopian Entrepreneurship Development center. My true fulfillment came from aligning my gift, skills, resources, experience, passion, finance, time, & purpose in creating my company deldeyoch, as I believed in the future of the African continent. It took a lot of sacrifice as an African woman to choose my vision & passion, instead of the traditional route, but +15yrs later I am still in the Continent despite a roller coaster ride.

Trained, in the traditional DEI frameworks, while well-intentioned, often fails to address root causes of inequality, especially in a complex emerging markets in Africa. A new paradigm is emerging—one rooted in equanimity, interconnectedness, and ethical stewardship, that introduces a more self sufficient human being, that requires integrity, emotional intelligence, and:.

- Lead with Self-Awareness: Acknowledge biases and privileges through reflection.

- Foster Dialogue: Create safe spaces for courageous conversations about equity.

- Prioritize Sustainability: Align decisions with long-term societal and environmental impacts. Renewable energy investments in Africa grew by 67% in 2023—a model for scalable solutions.

- Act with Integrity: Let values—not trends—guide ethical, transparent choices.

Conclusion

Africa’s transformation hinges on leaders who embrace equanimity as well as DEI, as both a moral compass and strategic advantage. By replacing outdated systems with inclusive, resilient frameworks, we can unlock innovation, empower communities, and redefine progress. The continent’s future is not in aid or rhetoric—it’s in the hands of leaders bold enough to lead with balance, vision, & unshakable resolve.

By Dutchess@deldeyoch