Ubuntu ethical leadership in the African public sector: conceptual proposals

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the integration of Ubuntu philosophy into Africa’s public sector leadership. The emphasis is on the need for culturally relevant leadership models rooted in Ubuntu ethics to foster effective public administration and overcome Africa’s moral governance crisis. Design/methodology/approach Using a structured conceptual framework, existing literature on Ubuntu ethics and leadership was synthesised. Qualitative content analysis was employed to identify key aspects of Ubuntu ethical leadership. Through conceptual induction, the core elements of Ubuntu ethical leadership applicable to the public sector were identified. The study connected these elements to the development of ethical leaders and organisations by offering proposals for public sector application. Findings Key elements for Ubuntu-based ethical leadership in Africa’s public sector are proposed, namely character development, efficiency, collectivism, participative leadership and addressing moral crises. The paper highlights Ubuntu’s potential to foster trust, accountability and effective governance while addressing socioeconomic challenges and improving service delivery. However, a gap remains in empirical research and theoretical frameworks specific to diverse African contexts. Research limitations/implications This conceptual article’s arguments have not been empirically tested for validity and are based on literature review. Originality/value This paper contributes to the theoretical foundation of Ubuntu leadership by extending its application beyond business to Africa’s public sector. It underscores the importance of integrating communal values and cultural traditions into leadership discourse to provide a foundation for addressing Africa’s governance paradox. The proposals pave the way for future research to empirically test the practical significance of Ubuntu leadership in the public sector.