Apply Now for 2025 Africa’s Data Future Fellowship

The 2025 Africa’s Data Future Fellowship is a dynamic 3-month remote capacity-building programme for emerging leaders in the African data governance landscape. Organised by the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), the fellowship equips early-career professionals and changemakers with the knowledge, skills, and mentorship to influence data governance and digital transformation across Africa.
For the 2025 cohort, 5 fellows will be selected from each sub-region across the continent. At the end of the fellowship, each fellow will be required to develop a policy brief on one of the fellowship themes and present their findings at a dedicated workshop.
This is a unique opportunity to turn expertise into meaningful impact. Join us in shaping Africa’s data future. Apply now and become part of this transformative programme!

Fellowship Structure
1. The 2025 Africa’s Data Future Fellowship will focus on the following thematic areas:
-Data Sharing
-Ethical Data Stewardship
-Digital Public Infrastructure
-Interoperability Standards & APIs
-AI Governance & Responsible Innovation
-Cross-Border Data Flows
2. Fellowship duration: 3 months (Starting in mid-August)
3. Geographic Representation: 1 fellow per African sub-region (North, West, East, Central, and Southern). Francophone candidates with intermediate English proficiency are also encouraged to apply. 
4. Mode of delivery: Virtual
5.Commitment: Bi-weekly virtual expert brainstorming sessions
6.Language: English and French

Fellowship Benefits
-A stipend of a total of $1,500 upon successful completion of the fellowship
-Bi-weekly virtual masterclasses and expert sessions with sector leaders
-Fellows’ work featured on CSEA’s platforms
-Pan-African professional network

Expected Outcome
Upon completion of the fellowship, fellows are required to develop a detailed policy brief on one of the fellowship’s thematic areas and present their work at a dedicated workshop.

Eligibility Criteria
The 2025 Africa’s Data Future Fellowship is open to:
-A postgraduate degree and at least one year of professional experience in social sciences, law, technology, data policy, or related fields
-Applicants from any sub-region of Africa (North, West, East, Central, Southern) 
-Applicants with demonstrated interest and experience in data governance, digital policy, and/or technology
-Applicants should be able to commit 2 hours per week for the duration of the fellowship.
-Access to a reliable internet connection and a functional computer is required for participation.

Application and selection modality
The fellowship is granted through a competitive process based on the application submitted by qualified candidates. All applications should be sent via the online application system and submitted in English.
Applicants are expected to submit:
-A completed application form
-A 2-page CV 
-Statement of interest (200 words max)
-Problem statement on a data governance challenge in your sub-region related to any of the thematic areas highlighted above (300 words max)
-A writing sample (e.g., policy brief or research paper)

Click link to Apply– https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTR6VF01RY3ymPHyc-R5r1ljLYJJEqac01nxUCKkn2h4LlfA/viewform