The Elevate Africa Fellowship 2026 (Cohort II) represents a bold and timely leadership initiative designed to strengthen Africa’s human capital by investing in experienced professionals who are already shaping impact across the continent.
As Africa navigates complex development challenges alongside immense growth opportunities, the need for visionary, values-driven, and pan-African leaders has become increasingly urgent.
In response to this reality, the Elevate Africa Fellowship has been structured as a rigorous, immersive, and highly selective leadership program aimed at mid-career professionals who are ready to expand their influence beyond national boundaries.
Elevate Africa Fellowship 2026
The fellowship is delivered as a 10-month hybrid program, combining virtual learning, structured mentorship, and intensive in-person immersions across key African locations. Through this design, fellows are enabled to deepen their leadership capacity, refine strategic thinking, and strengthen cross-sector collaboration, while remaining actively engaged in their professional roles.
Consequently, the program does not merely build individual competence; rather, it cultivates a new generation of leaders committed to collective continental progress.
Fellowship Summary Table
| Category | Details |
| Fellowship Name | Elevate Africa Fellowship 2026 (Cohort II) |
| Programme Type | Leadership Fellowship (Hybrid) |
| Duration | 10 months |
| Programme Period | March–November 2026 |
| Eligible Applicants | Mid-career professionals |
| Work Experience Requirement | Minimum of 10 years with measurable impact |
| Target Group | Pan-African leaders across sectors |
| Mode of Delivery | Virtual and in-person immersives |
| In-Person Locations | Kigali (May), Nigeria (August), Oct/Nov location TBA |
| Application Deadline | 8 February 2026, 11:59 pm WAT (GMT +1) |
| Funding Type | Partially Funded (Travel self-funded; limited scholarships available) |
About the Elevate Africa Fellowship
The Elevate Africa Fellowship was conceived as a response to the growing demand for leadership development programs that are deeply rooted in African realities while remaining globally relevant. Unlike short-term trainings or narrowly focused executive courses, this fellowship is intentionally long-term and holistic.
It is designed to support leaders who have already demonstrated impact and who now seek to scale their influence, refine their leadership philosophy, and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s future across borders and sectors.
Cohort II builds on the foundation laid by the inaugural cohort, with an enhanced focus on pan-African leadership, ethical decision-making, systems thinking, and collaborative problem-solving.
The program recognizes that Africa’s challenges are interconnected and that sustainable solutions require leaders who can think continentally while acting locally. Therefore, fellows are encouraged to bring their lived experiences, professional insights, and sector-specific expertise into a shared learning environment.
Programme Objectives and Vision
At its core, the Elevate Africa Fellowship is driven by a clear and ambitious vision. First, it seeks to strengthen leadership capacity among mid-career professionals who are positioned to influence policy, institutions, and communities.
Second, it aims to foster a pan-African mindset, where collaboration across countries and sectors is normalized and actively practiced. Third, the fellowship is designed to support the development of leaders who are not only competent but also principled, reflective, and committed to long-term impact.
Furthermore, the program emphasizes the importance of thought leadership. Fellows are encouraged to articulate ideas, share insights, and contribute to public discourse on Africa’s development trajectory. Through this process, leadership is framed not merely as positional authority, but as the ability to shape narratives, inspire action, and mobilize others toward shared goals.
Structure and Learning Model
The Elevate Africa Fellowship 2026 is delivered through a carefully structured hybrid model that balances flexibility with intensity. This approach ensures that fellows can remain engaged in their professional roles while fully benefiting from the program.
Virtual Onboarding and Continuous Learning
The fellowship officially begins with a virtual onboarding in March 2026, during which fellows are introduced to the program framework, expectations, and community values. From this point onward, structured virtual learning sessions are held regularly. These sessions focus on leadership theory, practical tools, and reflective exercises that help fellows examine their leadership styles and assumptions.
In addition, curated learning experiences are provided throughout the program. These experiences are designed to strengthen leadership thinking and practice, with content tailored to the African context. As a result, learning is not abstract but directly applicable to the fellows’ professional environments.
In-Person Immersive Experiences
A defining feature of the fellowship is its three in-person immersives, which take place at strategic points during the program:
- May 2026 – Kigali, Rwanda
- August 2026 – Nigeria
- Late October / Early November 2026 – Location to be announced
These immersives are designed to deepen relationships, facilitate experiential learning, and expose fellows to diverse African leadership ecosystems. During these periods, workshops, site visits, peer learning sessions, and leadership dialogues are conducted. Consequently, fellows can translate virtual learning into lived experience while also building strong interpersonal bonds within the cohort.
Mentorship, Coaching, and Capstone Experience
Another cornerstone of the Elevate Africa Fellowship is its emphasis on structured mentorship and coaching. Fellows are matched with experienced pan-African leaders who provide guidance, perspective, and accountability throughout the program. This mentorship is not transactional; rather, it is developmental, focusing on both professional growth and personal leadership journeys.
In parallel, fellows are expected to engage in a capstone project. This project serves as an opportunity to apply learning to a real-world challenge aligned with the fellow’s expertise and passion. Through the capstone, leadership concepts are translated into action, and tangible outcomes are generated. Additionally, fellows are encouraged to share insights from their capstone work as part of the program’s thought leadership component.
Eligibility Criteria
To maintain the quality and impact of the program, clear eligibility requirements have been established. Applicants must have a minimum of 10 years of professional experience with demonstrable and measurable impact. This requirement ensures that participants bring depth of experience and practical insight to the cohort.
Moreover, demonstrated leadership capacity and a clear pan-African commitment are essential. Applicants are expected to show evidence of influence beyond their immediate roles, whether through organizational leadership, sectoral contributions, or regional engagement. Reliable internet access and full availability for the duration of the program are also required, given the hybrid nature of the fellowship.
Benefits and Professional Support
Participants in the Elevate Africa Fellowship gain access to a wide range of benefits designed to support both personal and professional growth. These benefits extend beyond traditional training and reflect a comprehensive approach to leadership development.
Fellows benefit from structured mentorship, curated learning experiences, and access to a strong continental professional network that continues beyond the fellowship period. In addition, practical support is provided in areas such as professional training programs, grant writing workshops, and guidance related to university applications where relevant.
Support with professional presentation, including access to professional attire, is also incorporated, recognizing the importance of executive presence. Furthermore, visa application support is offered where necessary, reducing administrative barriers for in-person participation.
Commitment Expectations and Responsibilities
The Elevate Africa Fellowship is intensive and requires a high level of commitment. Fellows are expected to participate fully in all learning sessions, mentorship engagements, capstone activities, and thought leadership initiatives between March and November 2026. Active engagement with fellow cohort members and the broader alumni community is strongly emphasized, as peer learning is considered a core component of the program.
Attendance at all three in-person immersives is mandatory. While fellows are generally expected to fund their own travel for these immersives, limited scholarships may be available to support participants with demonstrated need.
Application Timeline and Deadline
Applications for the Elevate Africa Fellowship 2026 (Cohort II) must be submitted no later than 8 February 2026 at 11:59 pm WAT (GMT +1). Given the competitive nature of the program and the limited number of fellowship slots, early and carefully prepared applications are strongly encouraged.
Application link: https://weelevateafrica.org/fellowship.html
MORE RELATED CONTENT:
Turkish Government Scholarships 2026 (Fully Funded)
Hungarian Government Bilateral State Scholarships 2026 (Fully Funded)
University of Oulu Scholarship in Finland 2026
KAS Scholarship 2026 in Germany (Fully Funded)