Opportunities / Graduate program
Umholi we Africa Fellowship Cohort 5 (2026/2027) at Africa Career Networks
- Company: Africa Career Networks
- Location: Eligible African Countries
- Type: Full-time
- Application Deadline: October 31, 2026
Opportunity Details
**Umholi we Africa Fellowship Cohort 5 (2026/2027) | Fully Funded**
Applications are open for the Umholi we Africa (UwA) Fellowship Cohort 5, a fully funded, 12-month leadership development programme designed to prepare young African professionals for careers in governance, public policy and political leadership.
The fellowship provides selected participants with opportunities to work alongside government ministers, members of parliament and senior public sector leaders in their home countries. Fellows will contribute to research, policy analysis, project management, strategic planning and other activities supporting public institutions.
The programme is intended for experienced young African professionals with a strong commitment to public service, particularly graduates of the African Leadership Academy and Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
Applications close on 31 October 2026.
**About Africa Career Networks and AL for Governance**
Africa Career Networks (ACN) supports career development and professional opportunities for young African leaders, particularly graduates of the African Leadership Academy and Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
Through its programmes and partnerships, the network connects young professionals with career opportunities, professional networks and pathways for contributing to Africa’s development.
AL for Governance is a leadership network focused on increasing the participation of young Africans in governance, policymaking and public leadership.
The network develops ethical public leaders through professional placements, leadership development, mentorship and opportunities to contribute to public institutions.
The Umholi we Africa Fellowship is implemented through AL for Governance and Africa Career Networks, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
**About the Umholi we Africa Fellowship Cohort 5**
The Umholi we Africa Fellowship is a 12-month professional placement and leadership development programme that prepares young Africans for meaningful participation in government and public policy.
The fellowship places selected professionals in strategic positions supporting ministers, members of parliament and senior public sector leaders in their home countries.
Participants work directly within public institutions, contributing to policy research, programme coordination, data analysis, communications and strategic advisory activities.
Alongside their professional assignments, fellows receive structured leadership development, mentorship and ongoing coaching through the AL for Governance network.
The programme focuses on developing ethical, accountable and effective public leaders who can contribute to institutional development and improved governance across Africa.
**Fellowship Details**
* **Programme:** Umholi we Africa Fellowship Cohort 5
* **Programme Cycle:** 2026/2027
* **Organisations:** AL for Governance and Africa Career Networks
* **Partner:** Mastercard Foundation
* **Programme Duration:** 12 Months
* **Funding:** Fully Funded
* **Destination:** Eligible African Countries
* **Placement:** Government and Public Sector Institutions
* **Maximum Age:** 35 Years
* **Minimum Qualification:** University Degree or Equivalent
* **Professional Experience:** Minimum of 4 Years
* **Application Deadline:** 31 October 2026, 11:59 PM SAST (UTC+2)
**Eligibility and Requirements**
The fellowship is intended for young African professionals who demonstrate leadership potential, professional experience and a commitment to public service.
Applicants must satisfy the following requirements:
* Be a national of an eligible African country.
* Be 35 years old or younger.
* Be an alumnus or alumna of the African Leadership Academy (ALA) or African Leadership University (ALU), and/or a Mastercard Foundation Scholar.
* Possess a university degree or equivalent qualification.
* Have at least four years of full-time professional experience.
* Demonstrate a strong commitment to public service and ethical leadership.
* Show a genuine interest in governance, policymaking or political leadership.
* Possess strong analytical, research, communication and interpersonal skills.
* Demonstrate the ability to contribute to institutional development and civic engagement.
**Eligible African Countries**
The fellowship supports placements in participants’ home countries across Africa, subject to country-specific eligibility restrictions.
For Cohort 5, applicants from countries holding presidential or legislative elections in 2027 are excluded from the eligible applicant pool.
Candidates must therefore satisfy both the general nationality requirement and the country eligibility conditions for the fellowship cycle.
**Eligible Educational Backgrounds**
The fellowship requires a university degree or equivalent qualification.
Applicants are assessed based on their academic background, professional experience, leadership potential and commitment to public service.
The programme is particularly relevant to professionals with experience or interests in:
* Public Administration
* Political Science
* Law
* Economics
* Public Policy
* International Relations
* Development Studies
* Research and Data Analysis
* Project Management
* Communications
* Governance and Institutional Development
These fields represent relevant professional backgrounds rather than an exclusive list of eligible disciplines.
**What Fellows Will Do**
Selected participants will support senior government and public sector leaders through practical assignments involving research, administration, policy development and programme implementation.
Their responsibilities will include:
**1\. Research and Policy Analysis**
* Conduct research on governance and public policy issues.
* Collect and analyse data to support policy decisions.
* Prepare policy briefs, analytical reports and advisory materials.
* Support evidence-based decision-making within public institutions.
**2\. Project Planning and Management**
* Assist with planning and coordinating government programmes and projects.
* Support budgeting, implementation monitoring and evaluation activities.
* Track project progress and contribute to programme reporting.
* Assist with strategic planning and institutional initiatives.
**3\. Government Communications**
* Draft speeches, reports, briefing documents and communication materials.
* Support communication activities involving government officials and stakeholders.
* Prepare written materials for public sector programmes and initiatives.
**4\. Stakeholder and Community Engagement**
* Assist with stakeholder consultations and public engagement activities.
* Support communication between government institutions and relevant communities.
* Participate in civic engagement and public outreach initiatives.
**5\. Strategic and Administrative Support**
* Provide research and strategic support to ministers, parliamentarians and senior public leaders.
* Contribute to institutional planning and policy implementation activities.
* Work with government teams on assignments relevant to national development priorities.
**Fellowship Structure and Leadership Development**
The programme combines practical public sector experience with professional leadership development.
**Government and Public Sector Placement**
Fellows are assigned to work alongside ministers, members of parliament and other senior public sector leaders in their home countries.
These placements provide practical exposure to governance, institutional operations and public policy processes.
**Leadership Training**
Participants undertake leadership development activities designed to strengthen their professional capabilities and understanding of ethical public leadership.
**Mentorship and Coaching**
Fellows receive mentorship and ongoing coaching through the AL for Governance network.
The mentorship component supports professional development, leadership growth and participants’ long-term interests in public service.
**Professional Networking**
Participants become part of a network of emerging African public leaders, providing opportunities to engage with professionals working in governance, policy and related fields.
**Benefits of the Umholi we Africa Fellowship**
Selected fellows will receive:
* A fully funded, 12-month fellowship.
* Professional placement within government or public sector institutions.
* Practical experience working with ministers, parliamentarians and senior public leaders.
* Leadership training and professional development.
* Mentorship and ongoing coaching.
* Exposure to policy analysis, governance and institutional decision-making.
* Opportunities to develop research, project management and strategic advisory skills.
* Access to a network of African public leadership professionals.
The published information identifies the fellowship as fully funded but does not establish specific stipend amounts or individual allowances.
**Application Requirements**
Applicants must demonstrate their eligibility through their educational background, professional experience, leadership interests and connection to the qualifying alumni or scholarship networks.
Candidates should ensure they meet the age, nationality, professional experience and country eligibility requirements for Cohort 5.
**Deadline:****31 October 2026**
[Apply Here for Umholi we Africa Fellowship Cohort 5 (2026/2027) | Fully Funded](https://careernetworks.africa/umholi-we-africa/)