Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship 2027: Prestigious African Leadership Fellowship for Emerging Leaders Across Africa
The Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship Programme 2027 is inviting nominations for the next generation of high-potential African leaders who are expected to take on significant leadership roles and contribute to Africa’s transformation over the coming years.
Organised by the African Leadership Institute (AFLI), the Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship is the organisation’s flagship leadership development programme. The programme has been offered since 2006 and is designed to identify, develop and connect promising young African leaders across different sectors of society.
For the Class of 2027, approximately 25 high-potential individuals from across Africa will ultimately be selected through a rigorous and competitive process. However, unlike many fellowship programmes, individuals cannot directly apply or nominate themselves. Candidates must first be nominated by another person and, following the nomination and screening stages, eligible nominees will be invited to complete the full fellowship application.
The programme is designed for Africans between 30 and 39 years of age who demonstrate strong leadership potential and the capacity to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s social, economic and political transformation.
Nomination deadline for the Class of 2027: September 20, 2026, at midnight Johannesburg, South Africa time.
The subsequent candidate application process is scheduled to begin around September 25, 2026, with applications and letters of recommendation due by October 25, 2026, at midnight Johannesburg time.
About the African Leadership Institute
The African Leadership Institute (AFLI) is focused on nurturing and strengthening leadership capabilities across Africa, particularly among young people who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential.
The Institute’s broader objective is to develop a network of high-potential African leaders who can progress into senior leadership positions within their respective fields over the following five to ten years.
AFLI seeks to develop leaders who will not only advance professionally but also remain actively engaged in creating positive change across Africa.
The Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship is the Institute’s flagship programme through which it pursues this objective.
The fellowship has been running since 2006, creating a network of alumni who have participated in leadership learning and development activities designed to strengthen their experiences, insights, leadership tools and confidence.
What Is the Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship?
The Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship Programme is a prestigious leadership development programme aimed at identifying and developing the next generation of African leaders.
Each year, approximately 25 high-potential individuals from across Africa are selected following a rigorous competitive selection process.
The programme targets individuals who are expected to become influential leaders in their respective fields over the next five to ten years.
Importantly, the fellowship is not limited to one profession or sector.
The programme is intended for emerging leaders across all sectors of African society, meaning that candidates can come from different professional, social, economic, public, private, civil society and other leadership backgrounds.
The central question is not simply what sector an individual works in, but whether the person demonstrates the leadership potential, experience and commitment necessary to contribute to Africa’s transformation.
The Purpose of the Tutu Fellowship
The fellowship is designed around the idea that Africa’s future depends significantly on the development of capable, ethical and transformative leaders.
AFLI therefore seeks individuals who have already demonstrated leadership potential and who can develop into influential leaders in their respective fields.
Through the fellowship, selected participants receive leadership learning activities intended to strengthen:
- Leadership experience
- Strategic insight
- Personal confidence
- Leadership tools
- Understanding of complex African challenges
- Capacity to influence positive change
- Professional networks
- Collaboration across sectors and countries
The programme also seeks to create a lasting network of fellows who can support one another and contribute to Africa’s transformation beyond the fellowship itself.
Approximately 25 Fellows Will Be Selected
The Archbishop Tutu Fellowship is highly selective.
For each annual class, approximately 25 individuals are selected from across Africa.
This means that becoming a Tutu Fellow is a competitive achievement.
The programme describes its selected participants as some of the continent’s most promising future leaders and specifically targets individuals expected to rise into top leadership positions within their areas of activity over the next five to ten years.
Applicants and nominators should therefore understand that meeting the basic age and geographic requirements does not automatically result in selection.
The selection process is designed to identify candidates who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential and a strong capacity to contribute to the transformation of Africa.
Who Is the Fellowship Designed For?
The programme is designed for high-potential African leaders between 30 and 39 years of age.
The fellowship is not restricted to one professional discipline.
Potential candidates may come from sectors such as:
- Government and public service
- Business and entrepreneurship
- Civil society
- Non-governmental organisations
- Education
- Academia and research
- Media and communications
- Technology
- Finance
- Development
- Health
- Law
- Agriculture
- Arts and culture
- Social enterprise
- Community development
- International development
- Other sectors of society
The key consideration is the candidate’s leadership potential and capacity to contribute to positive change.
Age Requirement for the Class of 2027
Candidates must be between:
30 and 39 years of age.
The nomination form explicitly requires the nominator to confirm the candidate’s age.
Applicants outside the specified age range should not be nominated for the programme.
Prospective candidates should therefore verify their age eligibility before approaching a potential nominator.
An Important Difference: You Cannot Apply Directly
One of the most important aspects of the Archbishop Tutu Fellowship is that direct applications are not accepted.
Individuals interested in becoming Tutu Fellows must first be nominated by another person.
This means:
- You cannot nominate yourself.
- You cannot submit a direct application without first being nominated.
- You need someone else to put your name forward.
- Only one nomination is necessary.
- Multiple nominations may be regarded as abuse of the nomination process.
The programme specifically advises interested individuals who wish to be considered to read the relevant candidate guidance and seek nomination.
How the Nomination Process Works
The nomination process is designed to identify individuals who have demonstrated strong leadership potential.
A nominator must provide information about both themselves and the candidate.
The nomination form asks the nominator to provide:
- Their name
- Email address
- Position or job title
- How long they have known the candidate
- The capacity in which they know the candidate
- Confirmation that they have contacted the candidate
- Confirmation that the candidate has given permission to be nominated
The nominator must therefore have some meaningful knowledge of the candidate.
The form provides different options for how long the nominator has known the candidate, including:
- 1 year
- 2 years
- 2+ years
- 5+ years
- 10+ years
The form also asks the nominator to explain the capacity in which they know the candidate.
Click HERE to fill the nomination form.
Candidate Information Required During Nomination
The nomination form requires several details about the proposed candidate.
These include:
- Candidate’s first name
- Candidate’s last name
- Age
- Gender
- Nationality
- Country of residence
- Occupation
- Candidate’s personal email address
- Relevant information concerning inhibiting factors
- The nominator’s motivation for recommending the candidate
The candidate must therefore give the nominator permission to submit the nomination.
Candidate Permission Is Required
The nomination form specifically asks:
Has the nominator contacted the candidate and obtained permission to nominate them?
The available responses are:
- Yes
- No
This means individuals should not be nominated without their knowledge and permission.
Anyone considering nominating a colleague, professional contact, community leader or other person should first discuss the opportunity with that individual.
The Importance of the Nominator’s Motivation
One of the most significant parts of the nomination form is the section requiring the nominator to explain why the candidate would be a strong fit for the fellowship.
The programme specifically asks nominators to provide personal insight into the candidate rather than simply copying the person’s CV or biography.
The nominator is encouraged to address questions such as:
- What makes this candidate a special and successful leader?
- Why does the candidate stand out from other potential leaders?
- What evidence demonstrates the candidate’s leadership ability?
- How could the candidate’s leadership contribute to Africa’s transformation?
- How could the candidate’s leadership contribute to improving the lives of people across the continent?
This section is limited to 2,700 characters.
Do Not Simply Copy the Candidate’s CV
The nomination guidance makes an important distinction between listing achievements and explaining why the person is an exceptional leadership candidate.
Nominators are specifically advised not to copy and paste the candidate’s CV or biography.
Instead, the nominator should provide personal insight that selectors would not obtain simply by reading a résumé.
This means the strongest nominations should explain the candidate’s leadership character, influence, achievements and potential in a compelling and personal way.
For example, a nominator could explain how they have observed the candidate:
- Lead a difficult initiative
- Mobilise communities
- Solve complex problems
- Influence institutional change
- Build effective teams
- Create employment or economic opportunities
- Improve public services
- Develop innovative solutions
- Advocate for marginalised communities
- Drive social or environmental change
- Demonstrate ethical leadership
The objective is to help selectors understand the person behind the résumé.
Nationality and African Eligibility
The nomination form provides a comprehensive list of African countries and includes an option for candidates who were born outside Africa.
The African countries listed include:
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Comoros
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Republic of the Congo
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
The form’s inclusion of “Born out of Africa” is important for candidates whose circumstances require clarification concerning their place of birth and African nationality.
Prospective candidates should provide accurate nationality and residence information when being nominated.
Gender Eligibility
The nomination form provides the following gender options:
- Male
- Female
- Non-binary
The inclusion of these options demonstrates that the nomination process is not presented as being limited to one gender.
The Selection Process for the Class of 2027
The Class of 2027 selection process follows several stages.
According to the updated AFLI schedule provided for the 2027 cycle, the process is structured approximately as follows.
Stage 1: Invited Nominations Open
August 26, 2026
Invited nominations for the Class of 2027 begin on August 26, 2026.
This marks the opening of the nomination stage through which prospective candidates can be put forward for consideration.
Stage 2: Nominations Close
September 20, 2026 at midnight Johannesburg, South Africa time
This is the critical deadline for nominations.
The nomination deadline is described as a hard deadline.
The nomination form will be taken down at the deadline and nominations submitted afterward will not be accepted.
Stage 3: Screening of Nominees
Following the nomination deadline, AFLI will screen the submitted nominees.
The screening process is expected to take approximately:
One week to 10 days after nominations close, depending on the number of nominations received.
Stage 4: Candidate Application Begins
The candidate application process is expected to begin:
On or around September 25, 2026.
Candidates who progress through the nomination and screening stage will then be able to proceed with the formal fellowship application.
Stage 5: Candidate Application Deadline
The deadline for the full fellowship application is:
October 25, 2026 at midnight Johannesburg, South Africa time.
This is separate from the September 20 nomination deadline.
Prospective candidates and their nominators should therefore understand that there are two important deadlines:
- September 20, 2026: nomination deadline
- October 25, 2026: candidate application deadline
Stage 6: Recommendation Letter Deadline
Letters of recommendation from referees are also due by:
October 25, 2026 at midnight Johannesburg, South Africa time.
Candidates should therefore begin preparing their referees well in advance.
Stage 7: Selection Process Begins
The formal selection process is scheduled to begin in:
Early November 2026.
Stage 8: Shortlisted Candidates Informed
Shortlisted candidates are expected to be informed around:
Mid-December 2026.
Stage 9: Final Selection
The selectors are expected to finalise the Class of 2027 by:
Mid-January 2027.
Stage 10: Final Candidate Communication
Invitation emails are expected to be sent to Associates and Reserves beginning in:
February 2027.
Stage 11: Status of Applications
All candidates are expected to receive a status notification as the selection process progresses.
Most candidates are expected to receive status communications around November or December 2026, while finalists will receive status communication in early 2027.
Stage 12: Announcement of the Class of 2027
The Class of 2027 will be announced before the first programme workshop in South Africa.
The information provided does not give an exact announcement date.
The Nomination Deadline Is a Hard Deadline
A particularly important warning from AFLI concerns the nomination deadline.
The programme explicitly describes the deadline as a hard deadline.
This means candidates and nominators should not wait until the final hours to submit the nomination.
Technical problems can prevent a form from being successfully submitted.
The nomination guidance specifically warns against assuming that a last-minute submission will be successful.
Nominators are therefore encouraged to submit their nominations well before the deadline.
Why Early Submission Matters
Online application systems can experience problems for many reasons, including:
- Slow internet connections
- Browser problems
- Server congestion
- Incorrect information
- Form errors
- Difficulty uploading information
- Connectivity interruptions
Because the nomination deadline is hard, a technical problem occurring shortly before midnight does not necessarily result in an extension.
The programme therefore advises nominators to submit early.
The Role of Referees
For candidates who progress to the formal application stage, letters of recommendation are an important component of the selection process.
The deadline for recommendation letters for the Class of 2027 is:
October 25, 2026 at midnight Johannesburg time.
Candidates should therefore identify appropriate referees early and make sure they understand the deadline.
A candidate should ideally select people who can provide meaningful evidence of their leadership, professional achievements, character and potential.
Leadership Potential Is Central to the Fellowship
The Archbishop Tutu Fellowship is specifically aimed at the next generation of African leaders.
Therefore, simply having a successful career may not be enough.
Candidates should be able to demonstrate evidence of leadership potential.
This may include:
- Leading organisations
- Building successful businesses
- Driving institutional reforms
- Developing innovative initiatives
- Leading social movements
- Creating community programmes
- Influencing policy
- Building partnerships
- Improving systems
- Mentoring others
- Advancing social justice
- Promoting economic development
- Addressing environmental challenges
- Creating opportunities for other people
The strongest candidates are likely to be individuals whose leadership extends beyond personal advancement and demonstrates wider social value.
Contribution to Africa’s Transformation
AFLI’s nomination form specifically asks how a candidate’s leadership will contribute to the transformation of Africa and improve the lives of people on the continent.
This makes the candidate’s broader vision particularly important.
A prospective candidate should be able to articulate:
- What major challenge they are addressing
- Why the challenge matters
- What they have already done
- What impact they have achieved
- What they hope to accomplish in the future
- How their leadership can contribute to broader African development
The emphasis should be on measurable or observable impact wherever possible.
The Fellowship Is Not Limited to One Career Path
One of the strengths of the Archbishop Tutu Fellowship is its cross-sector approach.
The programme seeks future leaders from all sectors of society.
This means that a candidate does not necessarily need to work in government, politics or international development.
A leader in business, technology, education, health, civil society, entrepreneurship, media, agriculture, science or another sector can potentially be considered.
What matters is the combination of leadership potential, achievement, vision and commitment to positive change.
The Fellowship’s Leadership Network
AFLI aims to create a network of high-potential African leaders who have participated in its programmes.
The purpose of this network is to connect individuals who are expected to move into significant leadership positions over the next five to ten years.
This network can provide an environment in which fellows can exchange ideas, develop relationships and collaborate across countries and professional sectors.
The fellowship therefore has a longer-term objective that extends beyond the immediate programme activities.
What Does the Programme Aim to Develop?
The leadership learning activities are designed to strengthen selected candidates’:
- Experiences
- Insights
- Leadership tools
- Confidence
- Professional and leadership networks
- Capacity to drive transformation
The programme seeks to give participants practical leadership resources that they can apply within their organisations, communities and wider societies.
Preparing for the Tutu Fellowship Nomination
If you are a prospective candidate, the first step is not to complete an application yourself.
Instead, you should identify an appropriate person who can nominate you.
Potential nominators could include people who know your work and leadership closely, depending on their relationship with you.
Before asking someone to nominate you, consider whether they can genuinely explain:
- How they know you
- What leadership they have observed
- What makes you exceptional
- What impact you have made
- Why you have the potential to become a major African leader
A nomination from someone who knows your work deeply is likely to provide more meaningful insight than a nomination from someone who knows you only superficially.
What Makes a Strong Nomination?
A strong nomination should tell a convincing leadership story.
It should answer questions such as:
What problem has the candidate addressed?
Describe the challenge or opportunity that motivated the candidate’s leadership.
What did the candidate do?
Explain the candidate’s specific role rather than describing a collective achievement without identifying the individual’s contribution.
What changed because of the candidate’s leadership?
Where possible, provide evidence of outcomes.
Why is the candidate different?
Explain what distinguishes the person from other capable professionals.
What could the candidate achieve in the future?
Describe the candidate’s future leadership potential and how it could contribute to Africa.
The Importance of Impact
Impact is an important concept throughout the fellowship’s nomination process.
Candidates should therefore consider the difference their leadership has made.
Impact can take many forms, including:
- People reached
- Jobs created
- Policies influenced
- Organisations transformed
- Communities served
- Innovations introduced
- Educational outcomes improved
- Health outcomes improved
- Environmental benefits
- Economic opportunities created
- Young people mentored
- Women and marginalised communities empowered
The relevant evidence will depend on the candidate’s sector.
Click HERE to learn more about the Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship.
Application Guidance and Official Resources
Prospective nominators and candidates should review the official AFLI resources before participating in the process.
Useful resources include:
- Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship Programme
- Guidelines for Candidates
- Guidelines for Nominators
- Guidelines for Selectors
- Key Dates and Deadlines
- AFLI Contact Page
- African Leadership Institute
The official programme website also provides information about subscribing to the AFLI mailing list for announcements concerning the fellowship and other AFLI programmes.
Important Application and Nomination Tips
Prospective candidates and nominators should keep the following points in mind:
- Do not self-nominate. Direct applications and self-nominations are not accepted.
- Secure permission first. A candidate should know about and approve their nomination.
- Read the nomination guidance carefully.
- Submit the nomination early. The September 20 deadline is a hard deadline.
- Do not submit multiple nominations. The programme states that only one nomination is necessary and multiple nominations may be considered abuse.
- Choose a knowledgeable nominator. The person should be able to provide meaningful insight into the candidate’s leadership.
- Prepare for the formal application. Candidates who progress beyond screening should be ready to complete the next stage quickly.
- Choose referees early. Recommendation letters have a firm October 25 deadline.
- Focus on impact. Demonstrate what your leadership has changed.
- Think beyond personal achievement. Explain how your leadership contributes to Africa’s transformation.
Key Dates for the Archbishop Tutu Fellowship Class of 2027
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Invited nominations open | August 26, 2026 |
| Nominations close | September 20, 2026 at midnight Johannesburg time |
| Screening of nominees | Approximately 1–10 days after nomination closure |
| Candidate application begins | On or around September 25, 2026 |
| Candidate application deadline | October 25, 2026 at midnight Johannesburg time |
| Recommendation letter deadline | October 25, 2026 at midnight Johannesburg time |
| Selection process begins | Early November 2026 |
| Shortlisted candidates informed | Mid-December 2026 |
| Class finalisation | Mid-January 2027 |
| Final candidate communications | Beginning February 2027 |
| Class of 2027 announcement | Before the first workshop |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship?
It is the flagship leadership development programme of the African Leadership Institute, designed to identify and develop high-potential African leaders who are expected to contribute to the continent’s transformation.
How many people are selected?
Approximately 25 individuals are selected for each annual class.
What age group is eligible?
Candidates must be between 30 and 39 years old.
Can I apply directly?
No. Direct applications and self-nominations are not accepted. A candidate must first be nominated by another person.
Can I receive more than one nomination?
Only one nomination is necessary. The programme warns that multiple nominations may be considered abuse.
Do I need to be living in Africa?
The information provided includes nationality and country-of-residence fields and lists African nationalities. Prospective candidates should carefully review the official candidate guidance if their nationality, residence or place of birth creates a special circumstance.
Is the fellowship limited to one profession?
No. The programme targets future leaders across all sectors of African society.
How many years has the fellowship been running?
The Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship has been offered since 2006.
When is the nomination deadline?
For the Class of 2027, nominations close on September 20, 2026, at midnight Johannesburg, South Africa time.
When does the full application begin?
The application process is expected to begin on or around September 25, 2026, following screening of nominees.
When is the full application deadline?
The deadline for applications and letters of recommendation is October 25, 2026, at midnight Johannesburg time.
When will the Class of 2027 be announced?
The Class of 2027 will be announced before the first workshop in South Africa. The information provided does not specify an exact announcement date.
Visit HERE to read the Full FAQs.
Final Checklist for Prospective Candidates
Before seeking nomination, prospective candidates should ask themselves:
- Am I between 30 and 39 years old?
- Am I an African national or otherwise eligible under AFLI’s nationality requirements?
- Can I demonstrate significant leadership experience or potential?
- Have I contributed to positive change?
- Can I explain how my leadership contributes to Africa’s transformation?
- Am I prepared to commit to the fellowship process?
- Do I know someone who can provide a strong and genuine nomination?
- Have I discussed the nomination with that person?
- Can my nominator provide personal insight rather than simply copying my CV?
- Have I reviewed the official fellowship guidance?
- Am I prepared for the subsequent application process if I am shortlisted?
Conclusion
The Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship 2027 represents a major leadership development opportunity for high-potential Africans who are already demonstrating the capacity to influence their organisations, communities, sectors and societies.
Run by the African Leadership Institute, the fellowship has been offered since 2006 and seeks to build a network of emerging African leaders who are expected to rise into significant leadership positions over the next five to ten years.
For the Class of 2027, approximately 25 individuals will be selected through a rigorous process. The programme is open to emerging leaders across sectors rather than being restricted to a particular profession. Candidates must be between 30 and 39 years old and must first be nominated by another person.
The most important point for prospective candidates is that there is no direct application route. Interested individuals must secure a nomination, and only one nomination is necessary. Candidates should therefore identify someone who knows their leadership and achievements well enough to provide a compelling and personal assessment of their potential.
The nomination deadline is September 20, 2026, at midnight Johannesburg time. Candidates who successfully progress through the nomination and screening stage are expected to begin the formal application process around September 25, with the application and recommendation-letter deadline set for October 25, 2026.
Because the nomination deadline is a hard deadline, prospective nominators should begin early and avoid submitting at the last minute. A strong nomination should go beyond repeating a candidate’s CV and should clearly explain what makes the candidate an exceptional leader, what impact they have already created and how their future leadership could contribute to the transformation of Africa.
For African professionals and emerging leaders who meet the age requirements and have a demonstrated record of leadership, service and positive impact, the Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship offers an opportunity to join a network specifically focused on developing the continent’s next generation of influential leaders.
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