The African Climate Legal Fellowship Program (ACLFP), launched in October 2024, is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at equipping midcareer attorneys in Africa with the expertise and networks necessary to transition into careers in climate and environmental law. 

By facilitating impactful placements within organizations at the forefront of climate and environmental legal action, the program also builds the knowledge and capacity within these organizations. The 12-month fellowship provides Fellows with full-time professional placements, tailored climate law education, leadership development, and a community of support designed to enable them to successfully transition to the climate and environmental law space and use the law to address critical climate challenges.

• The African Climate Legal Fellowship Program’s inaugural cohort consists of 12 mid-career attorneys with at least 5 years of legal experience.
• Fellows are drawn from across Africa, representing diverse legal and professional backgrounds (including law firms, small/solo practice, government, and civil society), and are placed in DRC, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda.
• Fellows are engaged in projects addressing critical issues such as climate justice, environmental governance, and legal frameworks for renewable energy and sustainable development.

• Transition midcareer attorneys to impactful careers in climate and environmental law.
• Catalyze the development of new climate legal actions.
• Strengthen the capacity of nonprofit organizations to address climate challenges through legal mechanisms.
• Build a robust network of climate law professionals across Africa to drive systemic change.

Professional Placement: Fellows gain hands-on and practical experience, build their knowledge of climate and environmental law, and grow their professional network through a 12-month, full-time professional placement with a nonprofit organization focused on climate justice and environmental legal action.

Launch Convening: The fellowship began with a three-day convening in Nairobi, Kenya, from November 12–14, 2024. Fellows engaged in sessions on climate law and justice led by African legal experts and advocates, workshops on nonprofit leadership and community engagement, and discussions on Africa’s energy politics. Experiential learning, including visits to Nairobi National Park and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, highlighted conservation’s role in climate action. A public reception with Nairobi’s climate law community fostered collaboration, while group dialogues established a shared vision for the fellowship’s impact.

Climate Education: Fellows participate in a robust climate change education program designed to equip them with foundational and advanced knowledge relevant to their roles. This includes participation in a virtual legal education program featuring monthly sessions with guest speakers to provide insights on critical legal and climate issues, as well as a 6-week virtual climate training course from climate education provider Terra.do, offering comprehensive climate training.

Leadership Development: Fellows receive leadership development training through professional coaching and monthly webinars on topics such as strategic leadership, personal values in leadership, and measuring social impact.

Community Building: Fellows connect with their peers and other professionals in the climate law ecosystem at the Launch Convening, during monthly webinars, and through a WhatsApp Group. These gatherings foster networking opportunities, collaborative learning, and the development of a robust community of climate and environmental law practitioners across Africa.