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The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative. The Fellows, between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished leaders and have established records of promoting innovation and positive impact in their communities and countries. Since its inception in 2014, the Fellowship has brought nearly 7,200 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa to the United States for academic and leadership training.
Leadership Institutes: Each year, up to 700 Fellows participate in six-week Leadership Institutes studying business, civic engagement, or public management at U.S. colleges and universities. The Institutes include academic study, workshops, mentoring, networking with U.S. leaders, and collaboration with local citizens. The Institutes strengthen connections between the United States and Africa and establish enduring partnerships between Fellows, local communities, and private businesses.
Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit: After the Institutes, Fellows convene for a program Summit to forge connections with one another and U.S. leaders from the private, public, and non-profit sectors, setting the stage for long-term engagement between the United States and Africa.
Professional Development Experience: Following the Summit, a competitively-selected group of up to 100 Fellows join private, public, and nonprofit organizations across the country for four-week professional development experiences that provide U.S. organizations the opportunity to build or strengthen ties with Africa.
Reciprocal Exchanges: Each year, up to 100 Americans travel to Africa to collaborate on projects with Fellowship Alumni. These partnerships form lasting relationships, expand U.S. markets and networks, and increase mutual understanding.
Opportunities for Alumni: Fellows continue to build on the skills and connections developed during the program through access to ongoing professional development, networking, and collaboration opportunities. Alumni engagement solidifies partnerships with the United States and advances U.S. foreign policy goals across Sub-Saharan Africa.
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