The Green RISE Africa Fellowship, offered by Acumen Canada in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, aims to empower women and youth in poverty to contribute to a sustainable green economy. Participants receive practical tools and frameworks to enhance their leadership skills, improve business models, and create inclusive green jobs. The fellowship specifically targets entrepreneurs in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia, focusing on climate solutions and providing dignified employment opportunities for young rural women and youth.
Application Deadline:
- 11 May 2026
Tell Me About The Fellowship:
The Green RISE West Africa Fellowship, delivered by Acumen Academy in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is designed to equip entrepreneurs in West Africa with the leadership and enterprise-building skills needed to grow resilient, climate-conscious businesses. The program focuses on creating inclusive green jobs for young rural women and youth while tackling poverty and advancing climate solutions.
Which Fields are Eligible?
- Climate-focused enterprises
- Green economy initiatives
- Social enterprises creating dignified work opportunities for rural women and youth
- Ecosystem enablers supporting resilient green businesses
Type:
- Entrepreneurship Fellowship | Leadership Development | Climate & Poverty Solutions | West Africa
Who can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Lead an enterprise providing green-focused goods or services.
- Have at least 5 full-time employees and demonstrable traction in the last 12 months.
- Possess a minimum of 5 years professional experience.
- Be based and operating in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, or The Gambia.
- Be over 18 years old.
- Demonstrate commitment to solving poverty and climate challenges.
- Have reliable internet access and be available for all sessions.
- Not have previously participated in an Acumen Fellowship program.
How are Candidates Selected?
- Based on commitment to solving poverty and climate challenges.
- Demonstrated leadership capacity and growth potential.
- Values alignment with Acumen’s moral leadership principles.
- Ability to create inclusive green job opportunities.
- Around 20 Fellows selected per year per region.
Which Countries Are Eligible?
- Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia.
Where will the Fellowship be Taken?
- Hybrid program: virtual sessions plus in-person immersives in Nigeria and Kenya.
How Many Awards?
- Approximately 20 Fellows per year per region.
What is the Benefit of the Fellowship?
- Fully funded participation (lodging, food, transport for immersives).
- Leadership curriculum focused on moral imagination, adaptive leadership, storytelling, and inclusive impact strategies.
- Access to Acumen’s Foundry, a global alumni network of 2,000+ social entrepreneurs.
- Post-fellowship opportunities for project funding and entry into the Green RISE Accelerator.
How Long Will the Fellowship Last?
- 6 months hybrid program (virtual sessions, in-person immersives, self-paced learning).
- Fellows commit ~10 hours per month.
- Continued engagement in Acumen’s Foundry after graduation.
How to Apply:
- Read the Applicant Toolkit.
- Submit the online application by 11 May 2026.
- Participate in the Selection Conference (June 4–6, 2026).
- Begin the Fellowship journey in July 2026.
