Networks that accelerate careers of impact

Africa Career Networks (ACN) transforms the lives of African youth with foundational leadership experience by bridging the gap between job seekers and employers. Our dynamic offering spans institutional capacity building for universities and employers, in addition to intensive cohort-based learning and fellowships. We ignite problem solving, ideation and sector specific interventions through initiatives such as hackathons, growth labs as well as design and innovation challenges. 

Accelerating career pathways

Our commitment is to accelerate career pathways of young leaders who can address Africa’s grand challenges in key sectors such as agribusiness, education, healthcare, governance, infrastructure and the arts. Our high-impact approach has allowed them to not only secure dignified early-career opportunities in these sectors, but then actively build a sector-focused network that can shape further interest, enable collective impact and open new horizons. Our experience stems from a decade of enabling high-potential youth from programs such as African Leadership Academy and Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. We do this in the following ways, always with a sector lens. 

  • Professional Development: Sharpen soft skills and increase employability in the job market. 
  • Matching and Placement: Connecting young Africans to career opportunities that are a best fit for their personal career goals. 
  • Networking Opportunities: Build connections that can open doors to career development opportunities with industry stakeholders, mentors, peers and partners. 
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3,200

Young leaders in the network, from 57 countries

5,000

Young leaders connected with jobs and internships since 2010

86%

of our Earliest Graduates are currently engaged in work and projects in Africa

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Amanda Chembezi

Senior Program Manager, Arts & Governance
Botswana
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Camille Bastien

Program Associate - University Engagement & Partnerships
Mauritius
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Dimakatso (Nono) Sekhoto

Program Manager, Agribusiness
South Africa
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Dr. Kedei Ibiang

Program Manager, Health
Nigeria
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Faith Muange

People with Disability & Inclusivity Lead
Kenya
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Jomo Erick

Program Manager, Infrastructure
Kenya
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Lerato Kubuzie

Senior Program Manager, Employer Engagement & Partnerships
South Africa
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Michelle Peters

ACN Recruitment and Screening Analyst
South Africa
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Miriro Matema

Head of Marketing & Communications, Networks
Zimbabwe
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Pearl Utuk

Program Manager, Professional Services
Nigeria
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Renatus Mshomba

Program Associate
Tanzania
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Sidoine Felix M Leudjie

Francophone Program Associate
Cameroon
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Tinyiko Nyathi

Program Coordinator
South Africa
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Val Wiggett

Senior Director, Career Programs
South Africa

Partnering Employers

Central to our work is authentic relationships with employers across Africa and around the world. These employers share our enthusiasm for the future of Africa’s youth and invest with us to secure transition into employment and further career opportunities. Employers also partner with us to learn! Our employer engagement program supports organisations of all sizes to better make available opportunities and improve the quality of their early career experiences. 

Enabling Career Organisations

From 2024, ACN will pursue a new strategy by rapidly building a Network of Networks. A certified training program for career service professionals in Africa will provide a springboard for organizations in different career contexts (secondary education, tertiary education, youth organisations and career-sector startups) to access financial and other resources from ACN and our partners to build contextualised and localized career networks across Africa. 

Our Partners

Our work is made possible by the generous support of hundreds of partners who have invested in our mission to develop the next generation of leaders for Africa. Below are some of ALA’s long-standing and high-impact partners. For a full list of our partners, please see ALA’s Annual Report.

Funding Partners

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Have a query? Contact us on the details below, we would be happy to help!

1050 Printech Ave
Honeydew, Johannesburg
South Africa, 011 699 3000
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