Introducing the Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders

WHAT IS THE WASHINGTON FELLOWSHIP? The Washington Fellowship is the new flagship program of the President’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). This program will bring over 500 young leaders to the United States each year, beginning in 2014, for leadership training and mentoring, and will create unique opportunities in Africa to put those new skills to practical use in propelling economic growth and prosperity, and strengthening democratic institutions. The 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. WELCOMING PROMISING LEADERS TO THE UNITED STATES Leaders will attend U.S. universities for training in one of three areas: public management and administration; business and entrepreneurship; and civic leadership. Training in each of these sectors will focus on the skills young African leaders need to run better ministries, start and grow businesses, and serve their communities. The initiative will grow to 1000 young leaders each year. Washington Fellows will spend six weeks at top American universities and colleges that will provide tailored training in the sectors above, leveraging top faculty, cutting-edge curricula, and local opportunities to impart practical professional and leadership training. Formal university training will be augmented by workshops, mentoring, and networking opportunities with leaders in each field, as well as internships across the United States. For example, U.S. agencies such as the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the Export-Import Bank will host Washington Fellows as interns to expose them to the U.S. workplace and practices, and build their technical skills. Washington Fellows will also benefit from partnerships with American companies like Boeing, which will provide leadership training at the Boeing Leadership Center in St. Louis to extend Fellows’ campus-based training. The Fellows will also have the chance to interact with the President during an annual Summit in Washington, D.C., along with other senior U.S. government, business, and civic leaders. INVESTING IN OPPORTUNITIES ON THE CONTINENT Washington Fellows’ U.S.-based training will only be the beginning of the United States’ long term investment in these young leaders. To ensure that participants can put their newly-acquired skills and experiences to use, the U.S. Government is working with businesses, governments, and institutions to create meaningful opportunities in Africa. The Washington Fellowship will offer participants valuable access to internships and job opportunities in the private and public sectors. We are establishing partnerships with companies, government ministries, research institutions, regional organizations, and non-profit and community-based organizations across the region to provide meaningful career opportunities for these young leaders. For example, Microsoft will connect Washington Fellows with internships in their offices across Africa, including in Cairo, Tunis, Casablanca, Abidjan, Dakar, Accra, Lagos, Abuja, Luanda, Johannesburg, and Nairobi. Ethiopian Airlines will offer participants the opportunity to train at their business management and corporate governance platforms at its hubs around the world. Washington Fellows will have access to dedicated funding opportunities to support their ideas, businesses, and organizations. Over $5 million in small grants will be awarded in the first three years by the U.S. African Development Foundation to Washington Fellows seeking to start their own businesses or social enterprises. The U.S. State Department will invest an additional $5 million over the course of the program to help alumni establish or grow non-governmental organizations, undertake a project to improve their community, or work collaboratively to build the network of young African leaders, including reaching into underserved areas. USAID will establish regional hubs and coordinators to connect Washington Fellows to these opportunities and leverage over $200 million in ongoing youth programs and initiatives on the continent. CRITERIA FOR APPLICANTS: Be a citizen of and reside in a sub-Saharan African country. Persons holding U.S. citizenship or permanent residency are ineligible. Speak and write proficiently in English. Be between 25-35 years of age at the time of application submission, although exceptional candidates younger than 25 will be considered. Have a proven record of leadership and accomplishment in public service, business or entrepreneurship, or civic engagement. Demonstrate a commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship. Be committed to return to Africa and contribute their skills and talents to build and serve their communities.