YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS INITIATIVE

WHAT IS YALI?

The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) is the U.S. government’s signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. Nearly 1 in 3 Africans are between the ages of 10 and 24, and approximately 60 percent of Africa’s total population is below the age of 35. YALI was launched in 2010 to support young African leaders as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across sub-Saharan Africa.

MANDELA WASHINGTON FELLOWSHIP

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Since 2014, nearly 5,100 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa have participated in the Fellowship. 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. In 2022, the Fellowship will provide 700 outstanding young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to hone their skills at a U.S. college or university with support for professional development after they return home.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). YALI was created in 2010 and celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2020. Established in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship has brought nearly 5,100 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa to the United States for academic and leadership training. The Fellows, between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished innovators and leaders in their communities and countries.

Fellowship Overview

2017 Alumna Ruzivo Chonyera speaks at the 2018 Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit Closing Session. She wears a black suit, light blue tie, and natural hair and stands in front of a line of other alumni in similar dress.

Fellowship Components

Leadership Institutes

Blindfolded Fellows participate in a Common Leadership Curriculum team-building exercise during their Mandela Washington Fellowship Leadership Institute. They are kneeling on the ground touching different materials, including colorful fluffy balls. — Fellows participate in a Common Leadership Curriculum exercise.

During the Fellowship, the Fellows participate in six-week Leadership Institutes, studying Business, Civic Engagement, or Public Management hosted by U.S. colleges or universities. Throughout the Institutes, Fellows enrich local U.S. communities while sharing best practices. Learn more about Leadership Institutes.

Woman in white with traditional jewelry speaks at a podium — Sinethemba Thwala, 2019 Fellowship Alumna, speaks at the 2019 Summit.

Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit

After the Institutes, Fellows convene for a Summit, where they 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. Learn more about the Summit.

2019 PDE Fellow Balkissa Gambo Illo Daoura observes the Washington Monument from the U.S. Capitol. The obelisk rises in the distance, with green grass, trees, and a reflecting pool in the foreground in front of Balkissa, whose back is to the camera. — A 2019 Fellow observes Washington from the U.S. Capitol during her PDE in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Professional Development Experiences (PDEs)

Up to 100 competitively-selected Fellows work with private, public, and non-profit organizations for six weeks. Both Fellows and Hosts benefit from discussing shared issues and challenges in their sectors, broadening their perspectives, and positioning U.S. organizations for international engagement. Learn more about PDEs.

A group of people smiles and plays drums, wearing traditional dress in yellow pattern — Dennis Donovan of Minnesota traveled to Ghana on a Reciprocal Exchange.

Reciprocal Exchanges

U.S. citizens have the opportunity to apply to travel to Africa to collaborate on projects with Fellows, building upon connections initiated during the program. These partnerships and professional connections are intended to form lasting relationships, expand markets and networks, and increase mutual understanding. Learn more about Reciprocal Exchanges.

2014 Fellow Adepeju Jaiyeoba delivers a speech at a podium at the 2019 Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit after she is presented with the inaugural Leadership Impact Award. She has her hair pulled back and is wearing an orange and teal patterned dress. — Adepeju Jaiyeoba, 2014 Fellowship Alumna from Nigeria, accepts the inaugural Leadership Impact Award.

Opportunities for Alumni

Fellowship Alumni continue to build the skills and connections developed during the program through access to ongoing professional development, networking, and collaboration opportunities with support from the U.S. Department of State and affiliated partners. Learn more about opportunities for Alumni.

Virtual Programming

Fellows watch presentation in a classroom at Syracuse University during their Mandela Washington Fellowship Leadership Institute. — Fellows participate in a session with Dean James Steinberg at Syracuse University.

The Fellowship leverages stakeholder expertise to deliver a suite of virtual programming for selected candidates and Fellowship Alumni to support their continued leadership development and strengthen their access to networks and resources. Learn more about Virtual Programming.