Mandela Washington Fellowship in USA For Africans (YALI)

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is comprehensive executive-style program that is designed to build skills and empower Fellows to lead in their respective sectors and communities.

The Fellowship brings young leaders to the United States for academic coursework and leadership training to create unique opportunities for Fellows and U.S. citizens to collaborate, spur economic growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa and the United States.

The Fellowship has been a life-changing experience for its beneficiaries.  As a result of the Fellowship, they have built very strong networks with Africans and Americans.  They have  also renewed confidence and determination to contribute to their communities.”

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is open to young African leaders who meet the following criteria:

• Are between the ages of 25 and 35 as of the application deadline, although exceptional applicants ages 21-24 may be considered;

• Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States;

• Are eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa;

• Are not employees or immediate family members (spouses, parents, children, or siblings) of employees of the U.S. Government (including a U.S. embassy or consulate, USAID, or other U.S. Government entity);

• Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English (additional guidance coming for applicants who are deaf);

• Are citizens of one of the following countries:

  • Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Cote d’Ivoire,

• Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius,

• Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe;

Please note that Fellows are not allowed to have dependents, including spouses and children, accompany them during the Fellowship.

Financial Provisions of the Fellowship There is no fee to apply for the Mandela Washington Fellowship. If you are selected for the Fellowship, the U.S. Government will cover all program costs. Program costs funded by the U.S. Government will include:

• J-1 visa support;

• Round-trip travel from Fellow’s home city to the United States and domestic U.S. travel as required by the program.

• A six-week institute;

• A limited accident and sickness benefit plan;

• Housing and meals during the program; and

• An optional four-week Professional Development Experience (for up to 50 Fellows).

The Fellowship is a fully funded unparalleled opportunity to;

• Participate in a six-week Leadership Institute at a U.S. college or university to share your experiences with and learn from U.S. citizens and other Fellows.

• Explore industries beyond your daily work and expand your expertise.

• Participate in a Summit with young African leaders.

• Meet with U.S. Government, civic, and business leaders.

• Strengthen your work through new connections, skills, and ideas.

• Join a continental and global Alumni Network to help you seek innovative solutions to common challenges.

The following criteria will be used to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):

• A proven record of leadership and accomplishment in business, civic engagement, or public service;

• A demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship;

• The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and to respect the opinions of others;

• Strong social and communication skills;

• An energetic, positive attitude;

• A demonstrated knowledge of, interest in, and professional experience in the preferred sector/track; and

• A commitment to return to Africa and apply leadership skills and training to benefit the applicant’s country and/or community after they return home.

• September 22, 2026 | Application opens

• October 13, 2026 | Application deadline

• November 2026 – January 2027 | Semi-finalists interviewed by local U.S. embassies and consulates

• February/March 2027 | Applicants notified of their status

• March – May 2027 | Visa processing and pre-departure orientations for finalists

• June 2027 | Fellowship begins in the United States

To apply for the Mandela Washington Fellowship, interested and qualified applicants should follow the procedures below;

• 1

  Click the button below to visit the fellowship application page

• 2

  Click the "Apply Now" button.

• 3

  Fill out the application form and upload all supporting documents

• 4

  After the deadline, independent readers will review all eligible applications.  

• 5

  Following this review, chosen semi-finalists will be interviewed by the U.S. embassies or consulates in their home countries.  

• 6

  Selected semi-finalists will be required to participate in these in-person interviews in their home country within Africa. 

• 7

  If advanced to the semi-finalist round, applicants must provide a copy of their international passport (if available) or other government-issued photo identification at the time of the interview. 

• 8

  Selected Finalists are required to attend the mandatory Pre-Fellowship Orientation in their home country in Africa.