Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders — 2027

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is a leadership development and professional exchange program for young African leaders, organized by the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). It provides a six-week Leadership Institute in the United States along with accompanying professional and cultural activities, networking, and ongoing alumni engagement across three tracks: Business and Trade, Emerging Technologies, and Governance and Security.

Six-week Leadership Institute in the United States, leadership development, professional networking, exposure to U.S. institutions, cultural activities, and alumni engagement

Open to accomplished young African leaders aged 25 to 35 (exceptions may apply for 21–24 in some cycles), citizens or residents of eligible Sub-Saharan African countries, proficient in English, not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, eligible for a U-1 visa, and not previously a Mandela Washington Fellow.

Monitor the official Mandela Washington Fellowship channels for application instructions and submit through the official portal when applications open