Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders 2027 (Fully-funded to the U.S.)

Overview

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders 2027 brings approximately 550 young leaders to the United States in the summer of 2027 for a six-week, executive-style programme at a U.S. college or university. Tracks are offered in Business, Civic Engagement and Public Management. The programme is designed to empower Fellows to lead in their sectors and communities and to build partnerships with American counterparts.

What you get

Fellows take part in the institute alongside American experts, meet leaders from the public and private sectors, and explore American innovation, industry, history and culture. They engage with experts in business and trade, emerging technologies, and governance and security, and join an active network of nearly 7,800 alumni. The fellowship is fully funded. Fellows may not be accompanied by dependents, including spouses and children.

Who can apply

Applicants must be citizens of one of the eligible African countries, including Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe among many others across sub-Saharan Africa, and must live in one of them. They must be aged 25 to 35 by the deadline, although exceptional applicants aged 21 to 24 may be considered.

Requirements

Applicants must not be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, must be eligible for a U.S. J-1 visa, and must be proficient in reading, writing and speaking English. They must not be employees of the U.S. Government, or immediate family members of such employees, and must not have taken part in the fellowship before. They must be permanently residing in their country as of February 1, 2027 and at the start of the fellowship in June 2027.

Selection looks at English proficiency, a record of accomplishment in business, trade, emerging technologies, governance or security, interest in partnerships with American organisations, a commitment to return to Sub-Saharan Africa and serve communities, teamwork, communication skills and adaptability.

How to apply

Applicants should read the 2027 application instructions, which explain the components, criteria and deadlines, and then apply online.

Key dates

The application deadline is October 13, 2026. The fellowship begins in June 2027.