Mandela Washington Fellowship (Traineeship) for Young African Leaders with funding provided by the U.S. Government
Fellowship Overview
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 6,500 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.
The Fellowship will bring up to 700 young leaders to the United States in the summer of 2025 for a comprehensive executive-style program that will build skills and empower Fellows to lead in their respective sectors and communities. The Fellowship includes:
- A six-week Leadership Institute: Fellows are placed in groups of 25 at leading educational institutions across the United States—in both urban and rural areas—that represent the diversity of U.S. higher education. Institutes, which will take place from mid-June through early August 2025, will focus on skills development in one of three tracks: Leadership in Business, Leadership in Civic Engagement, or Leadership in Public Management. The intensive six-week model uses leadership development as the framework to create links between academic sessions, a strengths-based Common Leadership Curriculum, site visits, community service, and cultural activities. Fellows across all three tracks will gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills that can be applied in or adapted to African contexts. While all Institutes will include common components, each program agenda is unique and is based on the particular strengths and resources of each Institute Partner.
- A Summit in Washington, D.C.: At the conclusion of the Leadership Institutes, all Fellows will participate in a high-level Summit. Through a variety of sessions, Fellows will have the opportunity to network with each other and with U.S. leaders from the public, private, and non-profit sectors. The Summit will take place in July 2025.
- An optional four-week Professional Development Experience (PDE): As part of the Fellowship application, individuals may apply to participate in a Professional Development Experience (PDE) at a U.S. NGO, business, or government agency. The PDE is designed to provide Fellows with practical training and the opportunity to learn transferable skills, expand their professional networks, and apply concepts learned at their Institutes to real-world situations in the U.S. context. Placements will relate to each Fellow’s professional sector but are typically not an exact match to their current position at home. Rather, the PDE is an opportunity to introduce Fellows to new perspectives in their fields, deepen their awareness and understanding of issues present in both their home country and the United States, and learn best practices that can be applied to their work at home. PDEs will be intensive and demanding. Up to 100 Fellows will be competitively selected for the PDE and placed independently at organizations across the United States. Selected Fellows must be available to be in the United States for a total of approximately 11 weeks (including the Leadership Institute, the Summit, and the placement with a U.S.-based organization)
- Opportunities for Alumni: Fellows will have access to networking opportunities, ongoing professional development, and volunteer opportunities upon their return home after the Fellowship. Alumni also have access to other opportunities, including grants, events, and virtual programming, such as Reciprocal Exchanges that provide U.S. citizens with opportunities to engage in collaborative projects with Fellowship Alumni, building upon strategic partnerships and professional connections developed during the Fellowship program. The U.S. Department of State and IREX reserve the right to alter or suspend Fellowship activities at any time. Changes or suspensions may occur in response to local, national, or global events that impact the ability to conduct program activities.
Learn more about how to be a part of the next generation of African leaders!
The Mandela Washington Fellowship will bring up to 700 young leaders to the United States in the summer of 2025 for a comprehensive executive-style program that is designed to build skills and empower Fellows to lead in their respective sectors and communities.
The Fellowship is an unparalleled opportunity to…
- Participate in a six-week Leadership Institute at a U.S. college or university to share your experiences with and learn from U.S. citizens and other Fellows.
- Explore industries beyond your daily work and expand your expertise.
- Participate in a Summit with young African leaders.
- Meet with U.S. Government, civic, and business leaders.
- Strengthen your work through new connections, skills, and ideas.
- Join a continental and global Alumni Network to help you seek innovative solutions to common challenges.
The English language courses offered by US EMBASSY
Financial Provisions of the Fellowship
There is no fee to apply for the Mandela Washington Fellowship. If you are selected for the Fellowship, the U.S. Government will cover all program costs.
Financial provisions provided by the U.S. Government will include:
- J-1 visa support;
- Round-trip travel from Fellow’s home city to the United States and domestic U.S. travel as required by the program. Fellows must depart from their country of residence within an eligible Fellowship country in Africa to the United States;
- A six-week Leadership Institute;
- A concluding Summit in Washington, D.C.;
- A limited accident and sickness benefit plan;
- Housing and meals during the program; and
- An optional four-week Professional Development Experience (for up to 100 Fellows).
Please note that the U.S. Department of State, IREX, Institutes, and/or PDE Hosts will not provide funds to cover Fellows’ salaries while they are away from work or funds for personal purchases, such as support for Fellows’ home organizations or gifts for family.
Fellows will be housed in university dorms or similar accommodations and may share a bedroom with another Fellow of the same gender and a bathroom with one or more Fellows of the same gender. Most meals will be provided at campus cafeterias or restaurants, though Fellows may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals. Please note that campus cafeterias will not offer the same types and varieties of foods available to Fellows in their home countries. To the extent possible, care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding housing, diet, and other personal activities, such as religious observances, are satisfied. However, Fellows should understand that the environment will likely be very different from what they are used to at home and should be open to new experiences.
The English language courses offered by US EMBASSY
Application and Selection Timeline
- August 13, 2024, | Application opens
- September 10, 2024 | Application deadline
- November 2024 – January 2025 | Semi-finalists interviewed by local U.S. embassies and consulates
- March 2025 | Applicants notified of their status
- May 2025 | Visa processing and Pre-Departure Orientations for Finalists
- June 2025 | Fellowship begins in the United States
Application and Selection Process
Selection Process and Criteria
The Mandela Washington Fellowship selection process is a merit-based open competition. After the deadline, independent readers will review all eligible applications. Following this review, chosen semi-finalists will be interviewed by the U.S. embassies or consulates in their home countries. Selected semi-finalists will be required to participate in these in-person interviews in their home country within Africa. If advanced to the semi-finalist round, 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-Fellowship Orientation in their home country within Africa.
The English language courses offered by US EMBASSY
Who is eligible to apply?
The Mandela Washington Fellowship does not discriminate against applicants because of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic location, education, income, socio-economic status, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other protected characteristic as established by U.S. law. The Fellowship is committed to fairness, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is open to young African leaders who meet the following criteria:
- Are between the ages of 25 and 35 as of the application deadline (September 10, 2024), although exceptional applicants ages 21-24 may be considered;
- Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States;
- Are eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa;
- Are not employees or immediate family members (spouses, parents, children, or siblings) of employees of the U.S. Government (including a U.S. embassy or consulate, USAID, or other U.S. Government entity);
- Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English (additional guidance coming for applicants who are deaf);
- Are citizens of one of the following countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), 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 residents of one of the above countries and will be permanently residing there as of May 1, 2025 and at the beginning of the Fellowship in June 2025; and
- Are not Alumni or prior participants of the Mandela Washington Fellowship.
Please note that Fellows are not allowed to have dependents, including spouses and children, accompany them during the Fellowship.
Selection of finalists from all eligible countries may be subject to review in response to local, national, or global events that impact the ability to conduct program activities.
The U.S. Department of State and IREX reserve the right to verify all information included in the application. In the event of a discrepancy, or if the information is found to be false, the application will immediately be declared invalid and the applicant ineligible.
What are the criteria for selection?
The following criteria will be used to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):
- A proven record of leadership and accomplishment in business or entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and/or public/government service;
- A demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship;
- The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and to respect the opinions of others;
- Strong social and communication skills;
- An energetic, positive, and flexible attitude;
- A demonstrated knowledge of, interest in, and professional experience in the preferred sector/Fellowship track and concrete goals for applying lessons knowledge and skills gained from the Fellowship to current and/or future work; and
- A commitment to return to Sub-Saharan Africa and contribute skills and talents to build and serve their communities.
Leadership Institutes
The Mandela Washington Fellowship Leadership Institutes are comprehensive executive-style programs designed to build skills and empower Fellows to lead in their respective sectors and communities through the themes of Business, Civic Engagement, and Public Management. Since 2014, educational institutions in 35 states and the District of Columbia have hosted Fellows for Leadership Institutes.
The six-week Institutes support the development of Fellows’ leadership skills through academic study, workshops, mentoring, networking with U.S. leaders, and collaboration with U.S. citizens. Each Institute also offers insights into U.S. society through site visits and cultural exchange. The Institutes strengthen connections between the United States and Africa and establish enduring partnerships between Fellows, local communities, and private businesses.
The English language courses offered by US EMBASSY
2024 Leadership Institutes
Leadership in Business
Leadership in Business Institutes are tailored to Fellows aspiring to become leaders in the private sector or to start their own business ventures in Africa. The Institutes introduce participants to business and entrepreneurial approaches in the United States, including those that address social issues. Institutes also help Fellows build technical and leadership capacity in areas such as innovation and technology, business plan development, financial management, business ethics, the intersection of business with civil society and government, and the role of public-private partnerships. Current Leadership in Business Institutes include:
- Clark Atlanta University – Atlanta, Georgia
- Drake University – Des Moines, Iowa
- Jackson State University – Jackson, Mississippi
- Lehigh University – Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
- Purdue University – West Lafayette, Indiana
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey – New Brunswick, New Jersey
- University of Iowa – Iowa City, Iowa
- University of Nevada, Reno – Reno, Nevada
- University of Notre Dame – South Bend, Indiana
- The University of Texas at Austin – Austin, Texas
Leadership in Civic Engagement
Leadership in Civic Engagement Institutes are tailored to Fellows who are civically engaged and serving the public through non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, or volunteerism. The Institutes expose Fellows to civic engagement in the United States while building technical and leadership capacity in areas such as advocacy, strategic planning, organizational development, and the intersection of civil society with business and government. Current Leadership in Civic Engagement Institutes include:
- Drexel University – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Florida Gulf Coast University – Fort Myers, Florida
- Kansas State University – Manhattan, Kansas
- Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Michigan State University – East Lansing, Michigan
- The Presidential Precinct – Charlottesville, Virginia
- University of Delaware – Newark, Delaware
- University of Georgia – Athens, Georgia
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County – Baltimore, Maryland
Leadership in Public Management
Leadership in Public Management Institutes are tailored to Fellows who work, or aspire to work, in all levels of government, regional or international organizations, or other publicly-oriented groups and think tanks. The Institutes introduce Fellows to U.S. models and best practices in public management while building technical and leadership capacity in areas such as citizen engagement, resource management, financial management systems, and the intersection of government with business and civil society. Current Leadership in Public Management Institutes include:
- Arizona State University – Phoenix, Arizona
- Boise State University – Boise, Idaho
- Bridgewater State University – Bridgewater, Massachusetts
- Georgia State University – Atlanta, Georgia
- Syracuse University – Syracuse, New York
- Texas Tech University – Lubbock, Texas
- University of California, Davis – Davis, California
- University of Minnesota – Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Wayne State University – Detroit, Michigan
The English language courses offered by US EMBASSY
Frequently Asked Questions
What does YALI stand for?
YALI stands for the Young African Leaders Initiative.
What is the Young African Leaders Initiative?
The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) is a signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. YALI was founded in 2010 and celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2020. YALI was created to support young Africans as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa. There are three components of YALI: the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Regional Leadership Centers, and the YALI Network.
What is the Mandela Washington Fellowship?
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, begun in 2014, is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) that empowers young people through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking. In 2023, the Fellowship will provide approximately 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 is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX.
What are Regional Leadership Centers?
YALI Regional Leadership Centers (RLCs) build on existing institutional capacity in Africa to provide high-quality training, mentorship, and networking support to young leaders beyond the Mandela Washington Fellows. RLCs provide on-the-continent programming focused on the Fellowship’s core themes – business, civic leadership, and public management. The four RLCs offer training throughout the year in English, French, and Portuguese and are located in Nairobi, Dakar, Accra, and Pretoria.
What is the YALI Network?
The YALI Network provides members with invaluable opportunities to connect with other leaders in their community and to learn from experts in their field. Opportunities include free online training, professional development, online conversations, and more.
What are other young leaders initiatives?
In addition to YALI, there are three other U.S. Department of State programs focused on young leaders in the Americas, in Southeast Asia, and in Europe.
