Leading in a Crisis
How Laud Anthony Basing, 2016 Fellowship Alumnus, led his team at Incas Diagnostics to success during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn MorePromoting COVID-19 awareness through music
Learn how 2015 Fellowship Alumna Grace Jerry is reaching people of all abilities through song.
Learn MoreIncreasing access to information about COVID-19
Two Fellowship Alumni are committed to ensuring important information about COVID-19 can be accessed by all.
Learn MoreAdvocating for women with disabilities
2014 Fellowship Alumna Lois Auta is amplifying the voices of women with disabilities and using her platform to inspire people around the world.
Learn MoreBringing Africa to the world through e-commerce
Since his Fellowship in 2014, Vital Sounouvou’s company Exportunity has grown from an idea to a thriving e-commerce marketplace and fintech company focused on helping Africa trade with the world.
Learn MoreABOUT US
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. The Fellowship brings young leaders to the United States for academic coursework and leadership training and creates unique opportunities for Fellows and Americans to collaborate as they spur economic growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa and the United States.
Learn MoreBUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX.
Program Impact
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49
?Sub-Saharan African CountriesFellows have come from all 49 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. -
4,400
?Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni NetworkSince 2014, nearly 4,400 Fellowship Alumni have completed the program. -
2,300
?Companies and Organziations EngagedSince 2014, the program has engaged more than 2,300 institutions from the private, nonprofit, governmental, and multilateral sectors across the United States during Institutes, PDEs, Reciprocal Exchanges, and the Summit. -
39,000
?Hours of Support Dedicated to U.S. CommunitiesSince 2016, Fellows have dedicated more than 39,000 hours of service to support U.S. communities during their Leadership Institutes.
Stories
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, companies and organizations worldwide have adopted creative strategies to keep their enterprises afloat. For companies in fragile economies, staying relevant amid the current...
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News
Four Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni selected as YouthLead Ambassadors
January 17, 2020
News
Fellowship Alumni pitch businesses and build networks at Africa Investor Week
December 10, 2019
How are you contributing to the next generation of African Leaders?
“I believe that the Mandela Washington Fellowship has made me a stronger and better leader and has challenged me to think outside the box… There can only be more, bigger, and better to come from me, my fellow Fellows, and the continent of Africa as a whole.”
– Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumuna
The application period for the 2020 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders has closed. Check out the 2020 Fellowship Application timeline and process, eligibility information, and more by clicking here. We can't wait to meet the next Mandela Washington Fellows!
Learn more-
October 9, 2019
Application closed
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Oct - Nov 2019
Application review
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Dec 2019 - Feb 2020
Semifinalists interviewed by local U.S. embassies and consulates
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Late March 2020
Applicants are notified of their status
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May 2020
Finalist visa processing and Pre-Departure Orientations
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Mid-June 2020
Fellowship begins in the United States
Fellowship Directory
Including Fellows, Reciprocal Exchange Awardees, and U.S. Partners
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