This is a trend that Dr. Mo Ibrahim, a Sudan-born electrical engineer, might want to watch.

FORBES: Africa's Leadership Fails Billionaire Mo Ibrahim's Test, But Technocrats Rise

The latest index of African governance funded by Mo Ibrahim, a Sudanese-born telecoms mogul, suggests a general improvement.

ECONOMIST: Africa

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation, founded and funded by Sudanese-born billionaire, Mohammed Ibrahim, has launched the Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships program.

FORBES: Billionaire Mo Ibrahim Launches Fellowship

Last year, Satya Capital, a private equity firm run by billionaire Mo Ibrahim, offered to buy the retail chain, but the deal fell through.

FORBES: Obama Freezes Assets Of Kenyan Drug Lords

The fellows, who will be jointly selected by the three organizations and the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, will then be mandated to take part in a 12-month fellowship at one of the three organization.

FORBES: Billionaire Mo Ibrahim Launches Fellowship

Predictions about the year ahead coming soon, but in the meantime I would strongly recommend this blog, and urge you to check out the links to Mo Ibrahim's recent guest-editor role on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

BBC: From the Wild Coast to New Year advice

Besides Branson (along with his wife, Joan), Pinchuk and Tan, the new Pledgers are: Andrew and Nicola Forrest (Australia), Patrice and Precious Motsepe (South Africa), Hasso Plattner (Germany), Vladimir Potanin (Russia), Azim Premji (India) and John Caudwell, Chris and Jamie Cooper-Hohn, Mo Ibrahim, David Sainsbury (all from the U.K).

FORBES: The Giving Pledge Goes Global -- Warren Buffett Details America's Latest 'Export'