List of African Proverbs on Leadership

Guest Author – Jeanne Egbosiuba Ukwendu

A shepherd does not strike his sheep. ~Nigerian Proverb

The foolish cannot be leaders. ~Kenyan Proverb

Rulers are like hills; when darkness falls, they all speak alike. ~Ugandan Proverb

The words of the elders become sweet some day. ~Malawian Proverb

The elders of the village are the boundaries. ~Ghanaian Proverb

A leader does not wish for war. ~Kenyan Proverb

A community without elders does not prosper. ~Mozambican Proverb

An elder can be advised but never insulted. ~Kenyan Proverb

If the owner of the land leads you, you cannot get lost. ~Ugandan Proverb

Two leaders do not fight in one house. ~Ugandan Proverb

Madness does not govern a country; discussion does. ~Ethiopian Proverb

Do not be a leader and use it to your own advantage. ~Ugandan Proverb

Patience puts a crown on the head. ~Ugandan Proverb

A leader in the community without a pot belly is a stingy man. ~Nigerian Proverb

The leader knows the reality. ~Kenyan Proverb

One does not like to be under a strict leader. ~Ugandan Proverb

From the word of an elder is derived a bone. ~Rwandan and Rundian Proverb

That which gains the attention of a leader will be solved. ~Ugandan Proverb

Prefer the leader who comes to you. ~Ugandan Proverb

Without a leader, black ants are confused. ~Ugandan Proverb

A leader who understands proverbs reconciles difficulties. ~Nigerian Proverb

He who is destined for power does not have to fight for it. ~Ugandan Proverb

The fate that befalls the lowly will befall the leader. ~Ugandan Proverb

If a leader loves you, he makes sure you build your house on rock. ~Ugandan Proverb

A leader’s handbag is never completely empty. ~Ugandan Proverb

The one nearest to the enemy is the real leader. ~Ugandan Proverb

An army of sheep led by a lion can defeat an army of lions led by a sheep. ~Ghanaian Proverb

Being a leader is like a borrowed garment. ~Ugandan Proverb

If you are a leader, be like the moon, not like the sun. ~Congolese Proverb

A great leader is an ordinary person with extraordinary wisdom. ~Malawian Proverb

A ruler who is weak puts a load on his head. ~Ugandan Proverb

The voice of a strong person is obeyed immediately. ~Ethiopian Proverb

Cheekiness does not make a good leader. ~Ugandan Proverb

Much talking does not make you a leader. ~Ugandan Proverb

A leader does not listen to rumors. ~Ghanaian Proverb

One blind man cannot lead another. ~Ugandan Proverb

A wrong step by a leader is a warning to the followers. ~African Proverb

Those exercising good habits and truth are leaders. ~Kenyan Proverb

If a leader limps, all the others start limping, too. ~Kenyan Proverb

Threats and insults never rule a country. ~Zambian Proverb

The worlds of the elders do not lock all the doors; they leave the right door open. ~Zambian Proverb

A leader goes to war when he is insulted. ~Ghanaian Proverb

Leadership comes from God. ~Kenyan Proverb

He whose refuses to obey cannot command. ~Kenyan Proverb

When a leader changes mood, followers change the place of their abode. ~Ugandan Proverb

Other people’s wisdom prevents the king from being called a fool. ~Nigerian Proverb

Elders choose their words. ~Kenyan Proverb

If you overtake a leader, you break your neck. ~Ugandan Proverb

A people without a leader ruin the town. ~Ghanaian Proverb

Leadership is best taught by a leader. ~Ugandan Proverb

To lead is not to run roughshod over people. ~Kenyan Proverb

Even the fiercest leader in the world is overcome by sleep. ~Malawian Proverb