The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Since its start in 2014, the program has empowered young people through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking.

Each year, the Fellowship provides up to 700 outstanding young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to hone their skills at a U.S. higher education institution with support for professional development after they return home. Institutes focus on leadership and skills development in one of three tracks: BusinessCivic Engagement, or Public Management.

The Fellows, who are between the ages of 25 and 35, have established records of accomplishment in promoting innovation and positive impact in their organizations, institutions, communities, and countries. Fellows have represented all 49 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and included equal numbers of men and women.

For more information about the Fellowship, please visit the U.S. Department of State's Mandela Washington Fellowship website.

Meet the Fellows

Learn more about the Mandela Washington Fellows
by browsing the directory.

49
Countries
Countries of Mandela Fellows Since 2014

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