The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).

The Fellowship brings young leaders to the United States for academic coursework and leadership training and creates unique opportunities for Fellows and Americans to collaborate and as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa and the United States.

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.

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.

• The Fellowship Network includes nearly 6,500 alumni and up to 700 Fellows in 2024. To date, the Fellowship has received more than 430,000 applications. For more information and Fellow bios, visit the Fellowship Directory.
• Fellows are recruited through an open call for applications for candidates between the ages of 25 and 35 across all 49 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Fellows have established records of accomplishment in promoting innovation and positive change in their organizations, institutions, and communities.
• After their Fellowship, Fellows continue to build the skills and connections developed during their program through access to ongoing professional development, networking, and collaboration opportunities with support from the U.S. Department of State and affiliated partners.
• For more information on the Fellowship, visit mandelawashingtonfellowship.org.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship will:

• Invest in a new generation of young African leaders who are shaping the continent’s future.
• Respond to the strong demand by young African leaders for practical skills that can help them take their work to the next level in the fields of public service and business.
• Deepen partnerships and connections between the United States and Africa.
• Build a prestigious network of young African leaders who are at the forefront of change and innovation in their respective sectors.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship includes:

• Leadership Institutes: Each Mandela Washington Fellow takes part in a six-week Leadership Institute with a U.S. educational institution in one of three tracks: Business, Civic Engagement, or Public Management.
• Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit: Following the Fellowship, Fellows convene for the annual Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit. During this multi-day event, Fellows take part in networking and panel discussions with each other and U.S. leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
• Professional Development Experience: Selected Fellows participate in individually tailored professional development experiences. Fellows are hosted by U.S. non-governmental organizations, private companies, and government agencies that relate to their professional interests and goals.
• Reciprocal Exchange: Reciprocal Exchanges provide U.S. citizens with opportunities to collaborate with Fellowship Alumni, building upon strategic partnerships and professional connections developed with Fellows during their program. Through these projects, U.S. professionals and young African leaders form lasting partnerships, expand markets and networks, and increase mutual understanding between the United States and countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Opportunities for Alumni: After their Fellowships, Alumni continue to build the skills and connections developed during their time in the  United States through access to ongoing professional development, networking, and collaboration opportunities with support from the U.S. Department of State and affiliated partners. 

mwfellowship@irex.org

Mandela Washington Fellowship website

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by IREX.