What Is CDI-Africa? The Story Behind Africa’s Premier Coach Training Organization
CDI-Africa is an ICF-accredited coach training and leadership development organization headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, that has been developing certified professional coaches across Africa since 2006. As the first coaching and leadership development organization domiciled in Eastern Africa to receive accreditation from the International Coaching Federation (ICF), CDI-Africa has trained hundreds of coaches across more than 15 African countries through its suite of globally recognized coaching programs.
Founded with a mission to professionalize coaching on the African continent, CDI-Africa bridges the gap between world-class coaching education and the unique leadership challenges facing African organizations. The organization’s programs are designed to meet ICF’s rigorous standards while being deeply relevant to the African business context, addressing challenges ranging from post-colonial leadership transitions to rapid digital transformation across the continent.
CDI-Africa’s faculty comprises ICF-credentialed coaches at every level, including Master Certified Coaches (MCC), Professional Certified Coaches (PCC), and Associate Certified Coaches (ACC). This depth of expertise ensures that every professional receives mentorship from practitioners who have demonstrated the highest levels of coaching competency as defined by the global gold standard in the profession.
The organization offers six ICF-accredited leadership programs, including the Global Diploma in Professional Coaching, and the Global Diploma in Executive Leadership Coaching program. Each program is structured to equip participants with the competencies, supervised practice hours, and mentoring required to pursue ICF credentials upon graduation.
In 2023, CDI-Africa achieved an important milestone by earning exclusive ICF Level 2 Accreditation, placing it among a select group of coaching education providers worldwide that meet the federation’s most advanced training standards. This accreditation validates the organization’s commitment to excellence and its role as a cornerstone institution in Africa’s rapidly growing coaching profession.
Beyond training, CDI-Africa contributes to the broader development of coaching culture across the continent through its annual graduation ceremonies, participation in International Coaching Week, alumni networks, and thought leadership on topics such as executive coaching ROI, leadership development, and organizational transformation. The organization’s graduates serve as coaches in corporations, NGOs, government agencies, and private practice across Africa and beyond.
CDI-Africa represents more than a training institution. It is a movement to ensure that African leaders have access to the same caliber of coaching support available in any global market, delivered by coaches who understand the cultural nuances and systemic realities of doing business on the continent.
