Prior Publication in Other Journals

The Journal of Leadership, Strategy, and Impact in Africa does not accept articles that have already been published or are currently under review in any other journal, whether in digital or print format. The corresponding author must confirm this fact when submitting the manuscript to the Chief Editor.

Preparing Your Article

File Format

All submissions must be provided exclusively in DOC or DOCX file formats.

Title and Subtitle

Select a clear and descriptive title. It should incorporate key terms that reflect the article’s content.

Authors and Their Affiliations

List the full names and institutional affiliations of all authors beneath the title. ORCID IDs should be included to enhance visibility. One author should be designated as the Corresponding Author for communication.

Abstract

Provide a concise abstract (250–300 words) that summarizes the study’s purpose, findings, and conclusions, formatted with 1.5 line spacing.

Keywords

Include between five and seven specific keywords relevant to the article to improve its searchability.

Main Text

Manuscripts should be between 6000 and 8000 words, including references, tables, and figures. Use Times New Roman in 12-point font with 1.5 line spacing. Number all pages sequentially. Avoid footnotes; integrate necessary information into the main text.

Headings and Subheadings

Structure your article with clear headings to enhance readability. Limit headings to four levels, each with distinct formatting.

Language

Manuscripts should be written in British English, as per the Oxford English Dictionary standards, using ‘s’ rather than ‘z’ forms.

Writing Acronyms

Define acronyms upon their first occurrence and use them only for terms that appear at least three times.

Illustrations

Any illustrations must be of high quality and directly relevant to the content. Embed figures within the article and provide clear captions.

Tables

• Format: Place tables at the point of their first mention with a clear, descriptive title above them, aligned to the left.
• Layout: Use the table function in your word processor to keep them editable.
• Table Notes: Include explanatory notes below each table to clarify abbreviations or additional details.
• In-Text Citation: Refer to tables by their assigned numbers (e.g. “Table 1”).
• Consistency and Quality: Ensure a uniform format for all tables, keeping them clear, legible, and appropriately sized.

Figures

• Caption: Provide a concise caption below each figure, including a title and any necessary details.
• In-Text Citation: Cite figures by their corresponding numbers (e.g. “Figure 1”).
• Placement and Consistency: Arrange figures to optimise readability, numbering them sequentially throughout the manuscript.
• Quality: Ensure all figures are high resolution to maintain clarity, especially for complex visuals.

References

Format all references according to APA style, 7th edition, and list them alphabetically at the end of the article, using double spacing. The Journal requires sources to be published within the past five years to reflect current research.

Ethical Considerations

Authors must demonstrate commitment to ethical research practices, including obtaining institutional approval, participant consent, and ensuring confidentiality. For research involving human subjects, manuscripts should detail procedures for securing approval from a recognised ethics board or review committee.

Conflict of Interest Statement

A clear and transparent statement regarding any potential conflicts of interest is required. This includes disclosing financial, personal, or professional relationships that might influence the study’s design or interpretation.

Acknowledgments

Acknowledge any individuals or institutions that contributed to the research but do not qualify for authorship, including support staff and organisational contributions.

Submission Process

• Submit your manuscript through the journal’s online submission system in Word format.
• Ensure all required components (figures, tables, supplementary materials) are included.
• Register and complete your profile if you do not already have an author account.
• It is assumed that all authors have reviewed and approved the final version before submission.
• Upon submission, you will receive an email confirmation and can track the progress via your account.

Time Frames from Submission to Publication

• The first decision is typically made within five weeks.
• The complete review process takes about five weeks.
• On average, it takes approximately five months from submission to publication.