Mandela Washington Fellowship 2027

Deadline: 13Th October, 2026 

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the exchange program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). The Fellowship brings accomplished young African innovators and professionals to the United States for academic coursework, professional site visits, and structured networking. Fellowship activities prepare Fellows to collaborate with U.S. citizens on advancing U.S.-Africa trade and economic prosperity, promoting technological innovation, and enhancing peace and security.

Fellowship Components

• Leadership Institutes

During the Fellowship, the Fellows participate in six-week institutes hosted by U.S. colleges or universities.  Throughout the institutes, Fellows enrich local U.S. communities while sharing best practices.

• Professional Development Experiences (PDEs)

Fellows may apply for the opportunity to work with private, public, and non-profit organizations for up to six weeks, either during their Fellowship or as alumni. 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.

• Reciprocal Exchanges

U.S. citizens have the opportunity to apply to implement projects in sub-Saharan African countries to continue collaborative work with Fellowship alumni on the continent.  These partnerships and professional connections are intended to form lasting relationships, expand markets and networks, and increase mutual understanding.

• Opportunities for Alumni

Fellowship alumni continue to build the skills and connections developed during the program through access to ongoing in-person and virtual professional development, networking, and collaboration opportunities with support from the U.S. Department of State and affiliated partners.

Eligibility

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is open to young African leaders who meet the following criteria:

• Are between the ages of 25 and 35 on or before the application deadline, 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 or other U.S. Government entity);*
• Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English (applicants who are deaf should refer to the “English Language” section of the application instructions);
• 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 February 1, 2027, and at the beginning of the Fellowship in June 2027; and
• Are not alumni or prior participants of the Mandela Washington Fellowship.

Selection Criteria

The following criteria will be used to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):

• Proficiency speaking, reading, and writing in English;
• A proven record of accomplishment in business, trade, emerging technologies, governance, and/or security;
• A demonstrated and clear interest in building and maintaining partnerships with American organizations and businesses that advance shared goals;
• A commitment to return to Sub-Saharan Africa and contribute skills and talents to build and serve their communities;
• The ability to work cooperatively in groups and to respect others;
• Strong social and communication skills; and
• Demonstrated adaptability and the ability to lead effectively in varying and changing environments.

For more information and application.