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YALI Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders 2020

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). It was established in 2014 and since then, nearly 4,400 young leaders from Sub-Saharan African countries have participated in the Fellowship.

Annually The Mandela Washington Fellowship sponsors young fellows, and this year it will bring up to 700 young leaders to the United States in the summer of 2020 to participate in a comprehensive executive-style program that is designed to build skills and empower Fellows to lead in their respective sectors and communities.

In addition they will also participate in a six-week Leadership Institutes, studying Business, Civic Engagement, or Public Management at U.S. colleges or universities.

The Fellows, to be selected by the fellowship will have to be between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished leaders and have established records of promoting innovation and positive impact in their communities and countries.

If you are selected for the Mandela Fellowship program, you will get the chance to
participate in a six-week Leadership Institute at a U.S. college or university to share your experiences with and to learn from Americans and other Fellows and also explore industries beyond your daily work and expand your expertise.

You can freely apply as you will not be discriminated based on race, colour, gender, religion, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. 


Your application will be accepted if you are between the ages of 25 and 35 on or before the application deadline, although exceptional applicants ages 21-24 will be considered and is not a U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States.


Mandela Washington Fellowship Entrepreneur

Application DeadlineOctober 9, 2019
Funding TypeFully Funded
Country to studyUnited States
TypeEntrepreneurs
SponsorMandela Washington Fellowship
GenderMen and Women

Benefits of Mandela Washington Fellowship Entrepreneur

  1. Participate in a six-week Leadership Institute at a U.S. college or university to share your experiences with and to learn from Americans and other Fellows.
  2. Explore industries beyond your daily work and expand your expertise.
  3. Attend a Summit with young African leaders in Washington, D.C.
  4. Meet with U.S. Government, civic, and business leaders.
  5. Strengthen your work through new connections, skills, and ideas.
  6. Join a continental and global Alumni network to help you seek innovative solutions to common challenges.

Requirements for Mandela Washington Fellowship Entrepreneur

Applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.  The Mandela Washington Fellowship is open to young African leaders who meet the following criteria:

  1. Are between the ages of 25 and 35 on or before the application deadline, although exceptional applicants ages 21-24 will be considered;
  2. Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States;
  3. Are eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa;
  4. Are not employees or immediate family members of employees of the U.S. Government (including a U.S. embassy or consulate, USAID, and other U.S. Government entities);
  5. Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English (applicants who are deaf should refer to the English Language instructions on the Resources page);
  6. Are citizens and residents of eligible countries (to be announced); and
  7. Are not Alumni of the Mandela Washington Fellowship.

Please note that Fellows are not allowed to have dependents, including spouses and children, accompany them during the Fellowship. The U.S. Department of State and IREX reserve the right to verify all information included in the application.  In the event of a discrepancy, or if information is found to be false, the application will immediately be declared invalid and the applicant ineligible.

Selection Process

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

  1. A proven record of leadership and accomplishment in business, civic engagement, or public service;
  2. A demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship;
  3. The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and to respect the opinions of others;
  4. Strong social and communication skills;
  5. An energetic, positive attitude;
  6. A demonstrated knowledge of, interest in, and professional experience in the preferred sector/track; and
  7. A commitment to return to Africa and apply leadership skills and training to benefit the applicant’s country and/or community after they return home.

Application Deadline

October 9, 2019

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Mandela Washington Fellowship on yaliapp.irex.org to apply
  1. September 12, 2019 | Application opens
  2. October 9, 2019 | Application deadline
  3. December 2019 – February 2020 | Semifinalists interviewed by local U.S. embassies and consulates
  4. Late March 2020 | Applicants are notified of their status
  5. May 2020 | Visa processing and Pre-Departure Orientations for Finalists
  6. Mid-June 2020 | Fellowship begins in the United States

For more details, please visit the scholarship website here


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