The Mandela Washington fellowship program invites young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa to apply, for a chance to be part of a comprehensive executive-style program that is designed to build skills and empower Fellows to lead in their respective sectors and communities.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, begun in 2014, a flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) that empowers young people through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking.

In 2019 the fellowship program is set to provide 700 phenomenal young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa an opportunity to hone their skills at a U.S college or university in the summer of 2020 in Washington Dc.

Applications are now open, click here to apply. All applications should be sent on or before October 9^th 2019.

The application process is set to be free and fair and no applicant will be discriminated upon based on their race, color, gender, religion, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The young leaders eligible to apply should meet following criteria;

• Be between the ages of 25 and 35 on or before the application deadline, although exceptional applicants ages 21-24 will be considered;
• Are not employees or immediate family members of employees of the U.S. Government (including a U.S. embassy or consulate, USAID, and other U.S. Government entities);
• Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English;
• Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States;
• Are citizens and residents of one of the following countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe;
• Are not Alumni of the Mandela Washington Fellowship

The Mandela Washington Fellowship program is a merit based competition. And selected participants will be chosen based on the following;

• A proven record of leadership and accomplishment in business, civic engagement, or public service;
• The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and to respect the opinions of others;
• Strong social and communication skills;
• A demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship;
• An energetic, positive attitude;
• A demonstrated knowledge of, interest in, and professional experience in the preferred sector/track; and
• A commitment to return to Africa and apply leadership skills and training to benefit the applicant’s country and/or community after they return home.

After the deadline all eligible applications will be reviewed by independent readers. Following the review selected semi-finalist will be interviewed in person by the US embassy in their home countries in Africa. Applicants must provide a copy of their international passport (if available) or other government-issued photo identification at the time of the interview. Selected Finalists are required to attend the mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation in their home country within Africa.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship program finalists will then head over to the U.S for a 6 week program in a University or college. After the program only 70 Mandela Washington fellows will participate in an extra 4 weeks Professional Development Experience with a U.S. business, civil society organization, or public agency.

Since the Mandela Washington Fellowship program was piloted 5 years ago, the fellowship has reached over 3,700 young African leaders directly. And have in turn touched more than 45 million people through their businesses and non-profits. This shows that the Mandela Washington fellowship program is dedicated to making Africa a better place full of impactful leaders. The fellowship has also been able to establish a cohort of learners who are staying connected and helping each other throughout Africa. Apply today for a chance to represent your country and continent.

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