AfricaCDC Youth Digital Health Champions (Y-DHC) Program 2025 for Emerging Leaders

Application Deadline: September 14, 2025

Applications are now open for the AfricaCDC Youth Digital Health Champions (Y-DHC) Program 2025. This prestigious initiative seeks to spotlight and connect outstanding young leaders who are transforming Africa’s digital health landscape. By joining the program, selected champions will take on the role of advocates, innovators, and collaborators advancing digital health across the continent.

The program aims to strengthen youth leadership, foster innovation ecosystems, and create a visible platform for young people to influence policy and practice in public health. Through capacity building, recognition, and continental networking, the Y-DHC program will empower participants to accelerate the growth of digital health solutions that improve lives across Africa.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the AfricaCDC Youth Digital Health Champions 2025, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Age: Between 18 and 35 years old at the time of application.
• Nationality/Residency: Must be a citizen of an African Union member state. Africans in the diaspora are also eligible.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in at least one of these languages – English, French, Arabic, or Portuguese. Ability to engage in cross-lingual platforms is preferred.
• Engagement in Digital Health: Applicants must demonstrate active involvement in at least one of the following areas:
  • Innovation (e.g., startup founder, tech developer)
  • Research and academia
  • Public health programs utilizing digital tools
  • Policy development or advocacy
  • Digital literacy initiatives and capacity building

Benefits of the Program

The AfricaCDC Youth Digital Health Champions program provides a wide range of opportunities designed to amplify youth leadership and scale impact across Africa:

1. Visibility and Recognition
   Champions will be profiled and featured across Africa CDC and YiDHN platforms, gaining visibility at national, regional, and continental levels.
2. Access to High-Level Platforms
   Participants will be invited to policy dialogues, Africa CDC forums, YiDHN-branded webinars, and the Africa HealthTech Summit (AHTS 2025), where they can share insights, influence agendas, and showcase their innovations.
3. Networking and Collaboration
   Champions will join a dynamic pan-African community of peers, innovators, and advocates working together to drive digital health transformation.
4. Capacity Building and Policy Engagement
   Selected youth leaders will access exclusive training, workshops, and mentorship opportunities that strengthen leadership, technical, and advocacy skills.
5. Support for Growth and Scale-Up
   The initiative will connect champions to strategic partnerships, sponsorships, seed funding opportunities, mentorship, and entry into continental and global innovation challenges, fellowships, and accelerator programs.

Program Duration

The Youth Digital Health Champions program runs for 12 months, offering continuous learning, engagement, and opportunities to scale individual and collective impact.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following documents by the deadline:

• Completed application form
• CV or résumé (maximum 2 pages)
• One letter of recommendation
• (Optional) Links to projects, publications, or media coverage

Application Timeline

• Opening Date: August 29, 2025
• Deadline: September 14, 2025, at 11:00 PM (GMT+3)
• Announcement of Selected Champions: September 20, 2025

Why This Matters

The AfricaCDC Youth Digital Health Champions Program is more than an opportunity—it is a movement to position Africa’s young innovators at the heart of digital health transformation. By equipping young leaders with the visibility, networks, and resources they need, the program is shaping the future of health on the continent.

If you are passionate about digital health and committed to driving change, this is your chance to step forward, gain recognition, and be part of Africa’s health innovation story.

For more information and to apply, ClLICK HERE