FINAL CALL TO JOIN THE ACN AFFILIATES PROGRAM

Are you a mission-driven non-profit organisation based in Egypt, Morocco, Ethiopia, Senegal, Niger, or the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)? Do you work in career services, youth transition programming, or related initiatives that support young Africans in launching meaningful careers? If so, this is your opportunity to become part of a transformative pan-African network. We’re excited to open our second and final call for Affiliate partners as we recruit the last 6 organisations to complete our target of 15 Affiliates across Africa.

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Our mission is simple, to address the campus to career transitions gap, while amplifying the opportunities young leaders have to collaborate and make an impact on the continent. With over 3,000 internships and 2,000 job placements made, it is with pride we scale our impact in Africa, reaching critical geographies while providing greater support, safeguarding and inclusion.

Africa Career Networks, in partnership with Mastercard Foundation invites your organization to become an ACN Affiliate.

About the ACN Affiliate Program

To increase ACN’s impact in geographic areas and communities where it has historically had limited impact and demographic reach, ACN has evolved into a network of career networks by recruiting non-profit organisations (Affiliates) who are working to train and connect youth to career opportunities in Africa.

Over a period of 5 years, starting in 2024, ALA is sub-contracting these organisations annually, to help recruit Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni, to become ACN program participants, and facilitate job and internship opportunities for them in critical sectors, with a particular focus on those from marginalised backgrounds (such as women, refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and persons living with disabilities (PWDs)), who may also be in critical geographical locations (such as rural communities). 

What ACN Affiliates Do

In 2024, ACN recruited the first 9 Affiliates for their groundbreaking program. These are exceptional partners strategically selected for their demonstrated commitment to youth empowerment and career readiness. They play a vital role in shaping the future of Africa. Since their onboarding in January 2025, the Affiliate partners have been working tirelessly to: 

  • Train Program Participants: Preparing them with the skills to succeed in the workplace. 
  • Engage Employers: Establishing strong relationships with employers to secure dignified career opportunities for program participants. 
  • Build Network Strategies: Improving collaboration and connection among the program participants. 
  • Monitor, Evaluate, and Report on progress: Measuring impact and outcomes for continuous improvement.
  •  Ensure inclusive and safe career experiences for all participants. 

Take a look at who they are and be inspired to become part of this growing and impact-driven network👇 

Important Dates for the Next Application Cycle

11 July 2025

Applications open

29 August 2025

Applications close

1 – 29 September 2025

Application evaluation

30 September 2025

ACN Affiliates announced

Apply Now
Preview the Application Questions

About Africa Career Networks

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 through professional development, matching and placement as well as creating networking opportunities.

To qualify as an ACN Affiliate, organisations must meet the following criteria:   

  • Legally registered/established NPO that is locally rooted and community-focused 
  • Tax exemption status in the country of operation and prepared to provide a tax clearance certificate of less than one year old 
  • Committed to youth employment and skills development 
  • Working to provide inclusive access and workspaces for young people with disabilities, refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), young women etc. 
  • Be based in Africa or working for African beneficiaries – preferably youths. (We will prioritise organisations based in or serving program beneficiaries from Egypt, Morocco, Ethiopia, Senegal, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of Congo)
  • Be ready to grow with and contribute to a continental network
  • Be a youth-led or women-led organisation (optional) 

To be selected as an ACN Affiliate, your organization will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Are you, the founder/senior leader, who is leading and managing your organization?
  • Is your organization established in working with young people?
  • Is your organization demonstrating impact already?

To be selected as one of our ACN Affiliates, you must:

  • Demonstrate career service activity;
  • Demonstrate success working with young people.

Benefits of becoming an ACN Affiliate

  • Renewable multi-year contract to amplify ACN’s impact in Africa (based on annual performance assessments);
  • Milestone funding;
  • Access to 7 vibrant sector network communities operating across the continent;
  • Access to ACN’s network of program participants; 
  • Access to ACN’s unique training, tools and resources;
  • Access to a cohort of like minded individuals with opportunities for shared learning;
  • Access to ACN’s regional and annual convenings;