In a continent where geopolitical and socioeconomic challenges intertwine like never before, African governance stands at a decisive crossroads. As Africa celebrates its progress toward the African Union's Agenda 2063 in 2025, one voice emerges with unflinching clarity: that of Dr. Nizar Chaari.
The founder of the pan-African NGO EPIK Leaders and former Tunisian media magnate, this 48-year-old visionary, born in Sfax in 1977, is no longer merely a commentator on events—he is the architect of their transformation. Transitioning from a stellar radio career, marked by accolades like Best Tunisian Animator in 2005, to a civic leadership role post-2011 Revolution, Dr. Chaari is now deploying concrete strategies for resilient regional cooperation. His expertise, honed through conferences at the Ibrahim Governance Weekend and founding initiatives like Tunivisions, which established over 450 student clubs in Tunisia, positions Africa not as a fragmented puzzle, but as an interconnected ecosystem.
The Philosophy: Ethical Leadership in Action
At the core of his governing philosophy is the conviction that "Africa's problem is not a lack of resources, but a lack of ethical and practical leadership," as he stated in an exclusive interview with TechBullion in September 2025. This assertion is not a theoretical abstraction; it materializes in initiatives like the "Welcome Fest," a 45-day national tour launched in 2025 to establish 100 student leadership clubs in Morocco and beyond.
These "citizen laboratories" transform universities into hubs of applied governance: young people manage limited budgets, mobilize volunteers for reforestation or blood donation drives, and solve local problems like waste management or digital skills gaps. The result? Tangible impact measurement: project launch rates exceeding 80%, accumulated community service hours surpassing 10,000, and a measurable reduction in brain drain through cross-border partnerships.
Dismantling Elitism: The Bottom-Up Approach
Dr. Chaari excels at dismantling elitist models of governance, often inherited from colonialism, in favor of a bottom-up approach. At the Africa Future Leaders Day in Casablanca in April 2025, which gathered over 600 participants from 15 countries, he advocated for "South-South cooperation" that prioritizes transparency and accountability. Imagine EPIK clubs connecting Rabat to Abidjan, where young leaders negotiate cultural exchanges or innovative financing for social startups.
This regional resilience is not a slogan; it relies on psychometric tools to identify individual strengths, transforming dormant talents into architects of inclusive policies. In 2025, as Africa faces climate crises and migration tensions, Chaari proposes the Arab-African Summit on NGO Financing in Rabat in November, aiming to reduce dependence on foreign aid by mobilizing African funds—governments, private institutions, and philanthropic sectors united.
From Media Star to Continental Movement
His journey illustrates this revolution: from a star presenter on Mosaïque FM and Tunisie 7, where he interviewed figures like Youssef Chahine, to an entrepreneur with Tunivisions, Chaari has always amplified marginalized voices. Post-2011, his foundation catalyzed Tunisian civic engagement, helping avert social implosion through local action. Today, as a Tunisian presidential candidate in 2024 and recipient of the Order of Cultural Merit, he extends this expertise pan-African. "Resilient governance is born from the dignity of young people," he states in OpenPR, emphasizing how his programs measure impact via indicators like pan-African "connections" and mindset shifts.
For decision-makers and entrepreneurs, Dr. Chaari's lessons are actionable: integrate youth into boards, finance citizen labs, and prioritize ethics over short-term profit. In 2026, with the launch of the EPIK 100 Award rewarding ethical builders, Africa could see the emergence of a generation of governors who transform vulnerabilities into collective strengths. Chaari doesn't offer utopias; he provides blueprints for a sovereign Africa, where regional cooperation is no longer a dream, but a reality forged by service-driven leaders. Astute entrepreneurs will invest in these ecosystems, because true governing resilience—that which survives shocks—rests on inclusive empowerment. Dr. Nizar Chaari, with his trajectory from media to continental movement, is the compass Africa needs to navigate toward a united and prosperous future.