Empowering African Leaders: The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI)

About the Program:

Launched by the United States government, the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) is a program designed to invest in the next generation of African leaders. With a significant portion of Africa’s population under the age of 35, there is a critical need to groom strong leaders who can shape the future of the continent.

YALI Programs:

YALI offers three models to identify and empower young African leaders: the YALI Mandela Washington Fellowship, YALI Network, and Regional Leadership Centers across Africa. The Accra Regional Leadership Center (RLC), hosted by the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), is part of this initiative and offers a leadership training program.

Program Details:

The program at the Accra RLC consists of two programs: the Emerging Leaders Program for young leaders and the Executive Leadership Program for more experienced leaders.

The Emerging Leaders Program includes a 17-week curriculum with coursework, mentorship, internships, and community service. The curriculum covers leadership, ethics, and contemporary issues, with elective courses in entrepreneurship, public policy, and civil society management.

Reasons to Apply:

• Participants will receive a certificate and become a member of the YALI Alumni network.
• The program offers various forms of leadership training to prepare participants for leadership roles in their respective fields.
• YALI does not discriminate based on factors such as race, gender, religion, or socioeconomic status.

What We Offer:

YALI provides tracks in

• Business and Entrepreneurship,
• Civil Society Management,
• and Public Policy and Management.

These tracks cater to individuals aspiring to leadership roles in the private sector, civil society, government, or international organizations.

Eligibility:

The YALI Regional Leadership Center West Africa is open to

• young leaders aged 18 to 35
• from countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and others.
• Applicants must be proficient in English and eligible to receive a visa to Ghana.

Apply by 18 August, and read more information here.