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The Elevate Africa Fellowship (EAF) is a prestigious mid‑career pan‑African leadership program for professionals with a sustained track record of driving positive change across Africa. Designed for leaders with 10–15 years of experience, EAF helps fellows refine leadership capabilities and amplify their contributions to Africa’s development.
At its core, the Fellowship is rooted in the belief that Africa’s transformation requires experienced leaders who understand systems, have credibility in their fields, and are positioned to influence institutions, communities, and discourse.
EAF equips mid‑career African professionals with the leadership clarity, networks, and platforms needed to elevate Africa’s story and accelerate sustainable development.
Sector : Health
Sector : Health
Sector : Agriculture
Sector : Media
Sector : Business Consulting
Sector : Green Economy & Climate
Sector : Biopharmaceuticals
Sector : Health
Sector : Academia
Sector : Non-Profit
Sector : Arts & Culture, EdTech
Sector : Technology
Sector : Aviation/Drones
Sector : Non-Profit
Sector : Agriculture
Sector : Non-Profit and Climate
The 2025 Class empowered 17 leaders across 13 African countries.
Fellows reported significantly improved clarity in their leadership direction.
Fellows gained new sector connections/collaborators.
Fellows increased professional visibility from the fellowship.
Africa’s development challenge is not a lack of talent, but a gap in supported, visible, and connected leadership at the mid-career level. Research and practice show that:
The Elevate Africa Fellowship responds to this need by investing in leaders who are already in motion and amplifying their ability to drive sustainable change across the continent.
By participating in this fellowship, you will contribute to:
Build leadership capacity grounded in African realities.
Strengthen positive African-led storytelling.
Promote locally grounded, scalable solutions.
Connect with leaders across sectors and regions.
Produce ideas that shape policy and practice.
It's been an incredible experience filled with learning, connecting with inspiring fellows and leaders from different parts of Africa, and participating in various sessions both online and in person. Through this fellowship, I've realised that for Africa to succeed, we must see Africa as it truly is and have the courage to imagine what Africa could become. We need the ambition to stay ahead in knowledge, the wisdom to accept failure, and above all, the bravery to start again. Most importantly, we must choose to do what is right rather than what is easy. And this is what I learned from Elevate Africa…
- Joseph Ogwal
The fellowship reignited my sense of vision and possibility. It challenged me to think more boldly about scaling impact — not just within my immediate community but across the continent and beyond. Through the mentorship, peer exchange, and learning sessions, I’ve become more intentional about building structures that sustain creativity, leadership, and African storytelling in education. Elevate Africa didn’t just affirm my worth; it equipped me with the tools, networks, and renewed courage to dream bigger…
- Bola Edwards
By October 2025, I am not the same woman who entered this fellowship in January. I am rooted. Clear. Audacious. I’ve learned that Africa’s future cannot be inherited; it must be authored. And that authorship requires rooted leadership, not just volume. The fellowship didn’t just sharpen my tools; it realigned me with my story, my values, and my responsibility. I came in as a builder. I leave as a reclaimer — of voice, of identity, and of legacy.
- Nimah N'zani Kassim
This journey has awakened my leadership potential. I used to be reluctant to the word leadership as I thought it was a term used to express superiority at the expense of others. Yet, as the program unveiled, I made peace with this term and realised that the true meaning of leadership starts with oneself, before extending to others with respect, in order to collectively bring a vision to life.
| Component | Focus | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Village Meetings (VVMs) |
Structured virtual sessions focused on leadership development, catalytic innovation, and narrative transformation.
Cadenced throughout the fellowship year.
|
Virtual |
| Physical Convenings | 3 Experiential learning visits, leadership workshops, peer learning, and ecosystem engagement. | In-Person |
| Mentorship & Coaching | Personalized mentorship and coaching supporting fellows’ leadership growth and capstone projects. | 1:1 Support |
| Thought Leadership Articles (TLAs) | Fellows develop sector-focused articles that contribute to African policy discourse and are published on Elevate Africa platforms. | Publication |
| Capstone Project | A practical initiative aligned with the fellow’s sector, leadership focus, and Africa’s development priorities, monitored for real-world impact. | Applied Practice |
| Peer Learning & Networking | Ongoing collaboration, learning, intergenerational interactions, and shared responsibility beyond the fellowship year. | Community |
| Alumni Engagement | Fellows join an exclusive network of African leaders with continued access to resources and platforms for thought leadership. | Alumni |
Demonstrated dedication to social change and community development, showcasing a passion for improving the lives of others. You are a strong advocate in a connected and collaborative Africa.
Must be of African descent. You can be a resident outside of Africa, but demonstrate commitment to the continent.
Demonstrated leadership in professional or community settings, with a clear track record of making a positive impact. Your conviction, identity, values, and passions exemplify transformative leadership.
Ideal fellows are mid-career professionals aged 30-45 with 10-15 years of experience and a solid track record of leadership and excellence. Ideal sectors include Governance & Public Policy, Business & Entrepreneurship, Media & Storytelling, Gender & Social Inclusion, Health, and Climate Action. Professionals outside these sectors can apply if they have a track record of growth, impact, and excellence.
A proactive approach to problem-solving and a willingness to learn and adapt in a dynamic environment. You demonstrate an ability to think in systems and dream big.
Candidates should exhibit a desire to grow as leaders and contribute to their communities and sectors through the fellowship experience.
Candidates demonstrate how they contribute to influencing, shaping, and promoting positive narratives about the continent.
Complete and submit the online application form and your CV.
Applications will be evaluated by a selection committee of industry leaders and experts.
Candidates will be selected based on their potential for impact and alignment with the program’s goals.
* Selected Fellows will cover international flight cost, while Elevate Africa will cover local travel, accommodation and other associated Fellowship cost.
* Applicants are to provide two references and upload one reference letter (PDF) during application
* Only applicants who clear the basic eligibility criteria will be able to access the remaining sections of the application.
Elevate Africa commits to providing high-quality leadership learning and mentorship and platforms for visibility, storytelling, and collaboration. Each cohort births a supportive, values-driven community of leaders with sustained alumni engagement and network building.
The Elevate Africa Fellowship is a leadership development program designed for mid-career professionals across Africa. It aims to empower participants to create positive social change and contribute to community development through enhanced skills and networking opportunities.
The fellowship is open to mid-career professionals with 10-15 years of experience in their respective fields. Applicants should demonstrate leadership potential, a commitment to community development, and an innovative mindset. We seek candidates between 30 and 45 years old. We are flexible with age and years of experience, as long as you have a track record of growth, impact, and excellence.
Interested candidates must submit an online application form, an updated CV, application essays, and video-format questions. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee, and shortlisted candidates will be notified.
No, there is no fee to apply for the Elevate Africa Fellowship.
While Elevate Africa will cover all fellowship accommodation, meals, & local flight costs. Fellows expected are to cover their international flight costs to the three in-person convenings holding in May 8th-16th in Rwanda, August 10th-23rd in Nigeira and October Annual Convening (TBD)
The fellowship program typically runs for a period of 9 months and includes various training sessions, workshops, and networking events.
Expect 10–12 hours per month on fellowship activities, including VVMs, trainings, mentorship/coaching, speaking engagements, thought leadership articles, capstone projects, peer learning, and group work.
Fellows will gain access to leadership training, mentorship from industry experts, networking opportunities with like-minded professionals, and resources to support their projects and initiatives.
Fellows will not be paid a stipend.
No. The Elevate Africa Fellowship does not provide grants or direct financial support for fellows’ individual work or projects during the fellowship.
While all fellowship costs outside fellows' airfare are fully covered, there are no direct additional funding opportunities to fellows. Fellows will, however, have access to networks, mentors, and funders during the course of the fellowship who may opt to fund fellows' projects or initiatives.
We encourage you to start the application. Early questions in the application process are designed to help determine eligibility before you proceed further.
Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications after 8th February 2026, 11.59 pm Western African Time (GMT +1).
Yes, all participants who complete the program will receive a certificate of completion.
Applications will be assessed based on the candidate's professional experience, leadership potential, commitment to social change, and alignment with the fellowship's objectives.
Yes. You will be asked to provide the names and email addresses of two references when submitting your application. Elevate Africa will contact these references directly using the information you provide.
The Elevate Africa Fellowship requires a strong time commitment (about 10–12 hours/month). We ask fellows to make every effort to attend all core programming. While we understand occasional conflicts, fellows should not miss more than three sessions over the 9-month program to maintain their status as an Elevate Africa Leader.
Yes. There may be occasional assignments and reflective exercises, especially during convenings. However, we recognise that fellows work full-time and have other commitments, so we intentionally keep additional work focused and minimal.
The Elevate Africa Fellowship is hybrid, combining quarterly virtual sessions and connection opportunities with 3 in-person convenings across the program year.
Fellows are encouraged to continue their engagement with the Elevate Africa community and leverage the skills and networks gained through the program to drive impactful change in their communities.
If you have previously participated in an Elevate Africa Fellowship program, you are not eligible to apply.
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