Factsheet
SIGN
Sankoree Institute of Global Negotiators
What it is
SIGN strengthens the people and institutions that negotiate on behalf of states. Launched in Kigali on 14 May 2026 under Accra Reset, it treats sovereign negotiation as a profession: one requiring structured formation, tested competence, continuing development and institutional memory.
What participants do
Public officials, technical advisers and sector specialists work through applied Deal Labs, negotiation simulations and African cases. Associate and Fellow pathways combine assessment with continuing development. A shared case library and analytical tools are intended to support precedent review, scenario testing and the capture of lessons for future teams.
Who anchors it
The African School of Governance provides the Kigali base, academic standards and credentialling. AfroChampions contributes the Sankoree curriculum, continental networks and programme strategy. President Paul Kagame champions SIGN; Rwanda's Prime Minister represents that commitment at Full Circle. A proposed collaboration with the G7 CONNEX Support Unit would connect formation to government-requested multidisciplinary deal support.
The first practical focus
Rwanda's proposed pathfinder concentrates on critical minerals, trade and climate, with a cross-government cohort and applied cases. The wider ambition is an African and Global South professional network. Governments retain control of their mandates and sensitive case information. Success means stronger preparation, better allocation of value and risk, and knowledge that remains inside public institutions.
Better prepared at the table. Stronger institutions after the deal.