Elevate Africa Fellowship 2026 (Cohort II) for Mid-Career Professionals

Application Deadline: February 8, 2026, at 11:59 PM WAT (GMT +1)

Applications are now open for the Elevate Africa Fellowship 2026 Cohort II, a 10-month hybrid leadership development program designed to empower Africa’s next generation of transformative leaders.

This fellowship brings together exceptional mid-career professionals with 10–15 years of meaningful work experience who are driving innovation, leadership, and change across the continent. The Elevate Africa Fellowship is more than a learning experience — it is a platform for growth, collaboration, and impact, connecting leaders who are redefining Africa’s future.

About the Elevate Africa Fellowship

The Elevate Africa Fellowship seeks experienced professionals who are passionate about Africa’s transformation and eager to deepen their leadership capacity. The program blends virtual learning, mentorship, and in-person immersives across different African cities to provide a holistic leadership experience.

Participants engage with some of the continent’s most influential thinkers and practitioners, gaining insights into leadership practice, systems thinking, and cross-sector collaboration. Through structured mentorship and peer learning, fellows strengthen their capacity to lead with vision and drive sustainable change.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience with a track record of measurable impact in their respective fields.
• Proven leadership capacity and commitment to pan-African collaboration and development.
• Access to reliable internet connectivity and availability for the entire program duration.
• Commitment to participating fully in both virtual and in-person fellowship components.

The program is designed for mid-career leaders across sectors including public service, private enterprise, civil society, academia, and social innovation.

Key Benefits of the Fellowship

The Elevate Africa Fellowship offers a rich learning and networking experience designed to accelerate leadership growth and expand professional impact. Fellows will benefit from:

• Structured mentorship by distinguished African leaders and professionals.
• Access to a vibrant continental network of change-makers, professionals, and innovators.
• Curated learning experiences focused on personal leadership development, strategic thinking, and systems change.
• Opportunities for collaboration across countries and disciplines to strengthen regional impact.

By the end of the program, fellows emerge as empowered leaders equipped to influence policy, drive social innovation, and create sustainable impact across Africa.

Program Schedule and Commitment

The 2026 Elevate Africa Fellowship runs from March to November 2026 and includes both virtual sessions and in-person immersive experiences.

Program Components include:

• Virtual Onboarding (March 2026) — an introductory orientation to connect with program facilitators and fellow participants.
• Learning and Mentorship Sessions (March–November 2026) — interactive virtual sessions covering leadership, innovation, and systems change.
• Capstone Project — each fellow designs and executes a leadership or social impact initiative demonstrating their learning in real-world contexts.
• Thought Leadership Engagements — fellows contribute to pan-African conversations through written pieces and collaborative forums.

In-person Immersives:

• May 2026: Kigali, Rwanda
• August 2026: Nigeria
• October/November 2026: Final location to be announced

Participants are expected to fund their travel costs to attend these immersives. However, limited scholarships may be available to support fellows who demonstrate financial need.

Expectations from Fellows

Selected fellows are expected to commit actively to all aspects of the fellowship by:

• Attending and participating in all scheduled activities.
• Engaging meaningfully with mentors, peers, and the alumni community.
• Demonstrating leadership in applying program insights to personal and professional contexts.

Why Apply for the Elevate Africa Fellowship

The Elevate Africa Fellowship is not just a professional development program — it is a transformative leadership journey designed to build networks, expand perspectives, and inspire collaborative solutions to Africa’s most pressing challenges.

By joining this cohort, fellows become part of an influential community of pan-African professionals who are committed to building a prosperous and equitable continent.

If you are a mid-career professional seeking to amplify your leadership capacity and make a broader impact across Africa, the Elevate Africa Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to grow, connect, and lead change.

Learn more and apply here

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