Young African Leaders Mandela Washington Fellowship 2023

 Young individuals are empowered through the Mandela Washington Fellowships for Young African Leaders through academic study, leadership development, and networking. The Fellowship will give up to 700 exceptional young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa the chance to develop their abilities at a college or institution in the United States while receiving support for their professional growth after they return home.

The Fellows, who range in age from 25 to 35, have demonstrated success in fostering innovation and constructive change within their enterprises, institutions, communities, and nations.

Information About the Mandela Washington Fellowships

The Young African Leaders Initiative of the United States government's main program is the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders (YALI). Since 2014, the Fellowship has welcomed nearly 4,400 young leaders from every nation in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Fellows, who range in age from 25 to 35, are outstanding leaders with a track record of encouraging innovation and making a positive difference in their communities and nations. The Fellows take part in six-week Leadership Institutes every year while attending American institutions to study business, civic engagement, or public management.

The purpose and advantages of the Mandela Washington Fellowship

Application to the Mandela Washington Fellowship is free. In the event that you are chosen for the Fellowship, the US government will pay for every participant expense. The U.S. government will make the following financial provisions:

• J-1 visa assistance;
• round-trip airfare from the fellow's city to the U.S. and any necessary internal travel inside the U.S. as specified by the program;
• a six-week institute for leadership and academics;
• Washington, DC, final summit; accident and illness benefit program;
• During the program, housing and meals;
• a six-week Professional option
• Growing Experience (for up to 100 Fellows).
• Please be aware that the Fellowship does not include money for personal expenses like gifts or pay while Fellows are away from their jobs.

Additionally, Mandela Washington Fellows will have access to chances for continued professional growth, mentoring, networking, and training, as well as assistance for their projects, companies, and organizations.

Qualifications for the Mandela Washington Fellowship

There shall be no discrimination against applicants based on their race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic background, or gender identity. Young African leaders who fit the following qualifications are eligible for the Mandela Washington Fellowship:

• Are between the ages of 25 and 35 as of the application deadline, while exceptional candidates between the ages of 21 and 24 will also be taken into consideration;
• Neither permanent residents nor citizens of the United States;
• Are qualified to obtain a J-1 visa for the United States;
• Are not employed by the United States Government (including a U.S. embassy or consulate, USAID, and other U.S. Government entities) or the immediate family of employees of the U.S. Government;
• Are fluent in speaking, reading, and writing English (deaf applicants should refer to
• Are citizens of one of the following nations: 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
• Are citizens of one of the nations listed above; and
• Are Not Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni

Please be aware that during the Fellowship, Fellows are not permitted to bring along their spouses or children. IREX and the US Department of State reserve the right.

Date, Procedure, and Location of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Interviews

An open competition based on merit is used to choose recipients of the Mandela Washington Fellowship. A selection panel will examine each qualifying application after the deadline. Following this review, the U.S. embassies or consulates in the selected semifinalists' home countries will interview them. Candidates must present a copy of their international passport (if available) or other government-issued photo identification at the time of the interview if they make it to the semi-finalist stage. The following factors—not in priority order—will be taken into consideration by selection panels when assessing applications:

Applications will be judged according to the following standards (in no particular order of importance):

• A track record of success and leadership in business, community involvement, or public service;
• A track record of volunteerism, mentorship, or public or community service;
• The capacity to respect others' perspectives and cooperate in a variety of groups;
• High levels of social and communicative ability;
• A vibrant, upbeat outlook;
• a proven understanding of, enthusiasm for, and professional expertise in the desired field or career path; and
• A promise to go back to Africa thereafter and use what they've learned about leadership to help their native nation and/or community.

Closing Date of Application: 

September 15, 2022

How you can Apply

For more information, visit Mandela Washington Fellowship website.