The Umholi We Africa (UwA) Fellowship is your gateway to a career of influence, impact, and service. Fully funded and designed for exceptional young African changemakers, this 12-month fellowship places you directly in high-impact government and policy roles, working alongside ministers, members of parliament, and senior public leaders in your home country.
Read Also:
- PalmPay Flagship Scholarship Programme 2025 for Bayero University Kano (BUK) Students — ₦500,000 Award for 20 Students
- The US and Canada are losing international students to Asia and Europe
- The King’s Foundation Oxford DPhil Scholarships 2026/2027 (Nature, Health & Wellbeing Research Opportunity at the University of Oxford)
- NOVA Bank Graduate Trainee Program 2026 | Launch Your Banking Career in Nigeria
- Rise Academy Tech Internship Program 2025 | Paid Tech Training for Young Africans
- How to Apply for Bachelors and Masters Programmes at the University of Luxembourg: A Step-by-Step Guide
Application Deadline: 31 October 2026
Tell Me About The Award:
The Umholi we Africa (UwA) Fellowship is a fully funded, 12-month leadership fellowship for exceptional young African changemakers. It places selected fellows in high-impact government and policy roles in their home countries, where they work alongside ministers, members of parliament, and senior public leaders.
The fellowship is designed to provide practical experience in governance, policymaking, public service, and institutional transformation. Fellows support public sector leaders through research, data collection, policy analysis, project management, communications, and strategic planning while receiving leadership training and mentorship.
The programme is run by AL for Governance and Africa Career Networks, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
Which Fields are Eligible?
The fellowship focuses on:
- Governance
- Public service
- Policymaking
- Political leadership
- Policy analysis
- Research and data collection
- Project management
- Strategic planning
- Communications
- Civic engagement
- Institutional transformation
Type:
Fully funded leadership and public service fellowship.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Be an African national.
- Be a graduate of the African Leadership Academy (ALA) or a graduate of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
- Hold at least a university degree.
- Have at least 4 years of professional experience.
- Demonstrate a passion for public service.
- Aspire to pursue political or policy leadership roles.
- Demonstrate strong analytical, research, and interpersonal skills.
- Show a commitment to ethical leadership, governance, and institutional transformation.
How Are Applicants Selected?
The source states that applications will be evaluated between January and February 2027. It does not provide detailed selection criteria or a specific selection process beyond the eligibility requirements and application evaluation period.
Which Countries Are Eligible?
The fellowship is open to African nationals. The source does not provide a specific list of eligible African countries.
Where Will the Award Be Taken?
Fellows are placed in government and policy roles in their home countries, working with ministers, members of parliament, and senior public sector leaders.
The fellowship also includes pre-fellowship training and ongoing leadership development through the AL for Governance network.
How Many Awards?
The source does not specify the number of fellows to be selected for Cohort 5.
What Is the Benefit of the Award?
The fellowship provides:
- Fully funded participation.
- A 12-month placement in government or policy roles.
- Practical experience working alongside ministers, members of parliament, and senior public leaders.
- Experience in research, data collection, policy analysis, project management, communications, and strategic planning.
- Leadership training.
- Mentorship.
- Ongoing coaching through the AL for Governance network.
- Opportunities to contribute to national development and institutional transformation.
- Exposure to public service and policymaking.
How Long Will the Award Last?
The fellowship lasts 12 months.
The application timeline also includes:
- 4 September 2026: Applications open
- 31 October 2026: Applications close
- January–February 2027: Application evaluation
- June 2027: Pre-Fellowship Training
How to Apply:
Applicants should download and complete the application form provided by Africa Career Networks and submit their application before the 31 October 2026 deadline.
