CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: BECOME A UMHOLI WE AFRICA FELLOW

The Umholi we Africa (UwA) Fellowship is your gateway to a career of influence, impact, and service. Fully funded and designed for exceptional young African changemakers, this 12-month fellowship places you directly in high-impact government and policy roles, working alongside ministers, members of parliament, and senior public leaders in your home country.

If you’re driven by purpose, passionate about governance, and ready to shape Africa’s future from the inside, this is your moment. Step into a transformative leadership journey that equips you to lead, serve, and transform Africa..

Download the Application Form

Through this fellowship, graduates of the African Leadership Academy (ALA) and the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship program are placed to serve with ministers and members of parliament in their home countries to contribute to national development and institutional transformation. Fellows support public service leaders in research, data collection, project management, communications, and strategic planning, while gaining valuable firsthand experience in governance and policymaking

AL for Governance and Africa Career Networks, in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, invite you to become a Fellow.

About the Umholi we Africa Fellowship

The Umholi we Africa (UwA) Fellowship is a premier leadership pathway designed to accelerate the next generation of ethical, mission-driven African public leaders.

Each year, the fellowship places outstanding graduates of the African Leadership Academy and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program in strategic roles supporting ministers, members of parliament, and senior public sector leaders in their home countries. Fellows contribute directly to national development through research, policy analysis, project management, communications, and strategic advisory work—while receiving world-class leadership training and mentorship.

What Fellows Do

As a fellow, you will: 

  • Support high-level public leaders in research, data collection, policy analysis, and strategic advisory tasks.. 
  • Assist in project planning, budgeting, monitoring, and evaluation within government or policy institutions. 
  • Draft policy briefs, reports, speeches, and communication materials. 
  • Facilitate stakeholder consultations, community engagement, and public outreach activities.
  • Participate in leadership training, mentorship, and ongoing coaching through the AL for Governance network. 
  • Uphold the values of ethical leadership, accountability, and innovation in public service

We are seeking passionate, high-potential young Africans who demonstrate: 

  • • A strong commitment to public service and ethical leadership.
  • A proven interest in governance, policymaking, or political leadership
  • Strong analytical, research, and interpersonal skills.
  • A drive to contribute meaningfully to institutional transformation and civic engagement

Important Dates for the Next Application Cycle

1 Nov 2025

Applications open

30 Dec 2025

Applications close

5 Jan – 27 Feb 2026

Application evaluation

May 2026

Pre-Fellowship Training

Ready to Apply? Start Here

About AL for Governance

Youth in Africa are isolated and underrepresented in governance across the continent. With 60 percent of its 1.25 billion people under the age of 25 years old, Africa has the youngest population in the world. But this young majority is not being represented in government. This fundamental disconnect between policymakers and youth amplifies problems, and causes African society in general to digress and feel dated. The AL for Governance network exists to address a gap of the voice of the youth in the public sector and civil society on the African continent. Each year, the network develops a new generation of ethical public leaders who work together to address the public leadership crisis in Africa. The network facilitates diverse career pathways for young leaders into the governance sector, catalyse connections between members, and foster powerful intergenerational mentorship relationships to drive lasting change.

What is required to be successful

  • Must be an African national;
  • Must be a graduate of the African Leadership Academy (ALA) or a graduate of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program;
  • Must hold a minimum of a university degree;
  • Must have at least 4 years of professional experience; 
  • Must demonstrate passion for public service and an aspiration to pursue political or policy leadership roles.