Apply Now! 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the premier program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), empowering exceptional young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa. Since 2014, nearly 6,500 fellows from all 49 regional countries have been selected for their outstanding achievements and dedication to driving positive change in their communities and nations. This prestigious fellowship identifies and supports accomplished leaders aged 25-35, cultivating the next generation of African innovators and changemakers.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship has announced plans to bring up to 700 young leaders to the United States in the summer of 2025. These exceptional individuals will participate in a comprehensive executive-style program designed to build skills and empower them to drive positive change in their communities and countries. The 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship program promises to be an exciting opportunity for these young leaders to enhance their leadership skills, network with like-minded individuals, and gain valuable insights into innovative approaches to addressing Africa’s most pressing challenges.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship offers:

• Participation in a six-week Leadership Institute at a U.S. college or university to share your experiences with and learn from U.S. citizens and other Fellows.
• Opportunities to explore industries beyond your current work and expand your expertise.
• Attendance at a Summit with other young African leaders.
• Meetings with U.S. Government, civic, and business leaders.
• Access to a continental and global Alumni Network.
• Opportunities to strengthen your work through new skills, connections, and ideas.

The 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship Selection Process and Criteria 

The Mandela Washington Fellowship follows a merit-based, open competition for selection. After the application deadline, all eligible submissions are reviewed by independent evaluators. Semi-finalists are then chosen and will be interviewed by U.S. embassies or consulates in their respective home countries.

These interviews must be attended in person within Africa. Semi-finalists are required to present a copy of their international passport (if available) or other government-issued photo ID during the interview. Finalists who are selected must also attend a mandatory Pre-Fellowship Orientation in their home country within Africa.

What are the criteria for selection?

The following criteria will be used to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):

• A proven record of leadership and accomplishment in business or entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and/or public/government service; 
• ​A demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship; 
• ​The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and to respect the opinions of others; 
• ​Strong social and communication skills; 
• ​An energetic, positive, and flexible attitude; 
• ​A demonstrated knowledge of, interest in, and professional experience in the preferred sector/Fellowship track and concrete goals for applying lessons knowledge and skills gained from the Fellowship to current and/or future work; and  
• ​A commitment to return to Sub-Saharan Africa and contribute skills and talents to build and serve their communities.

The 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship Application and Selection Timeline

• August 13, 2024  | Application opens
• September 10, 2024  |  Application deadline
• November 2024 – January 2025  |  Semi-finalists interviewed by local U.S. embassies and consulates
• March 2025 |  Applicants notified of their status
• May 2025  |  Visa processing and Pre-Departure Orientations for Finalists
• June 2025  |  Fellowship begins in the United States

The 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship Eligibility Criteria 

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is open to young African leaders who meet the following criteria:

• Are between the ages of 25 and 35 as of the application deadline (September 10, 2024), although exceptional applicants ages 21-24 may be considered;
• Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States;
• Are eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa;
• Are not employees or immediate family members (spouses, parents, children, or siblings) of employees of the U.S. Government (including a U.S. embassy or consulate, USAID, or other U.S. Government entity);
• Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English (additional guidance coming for applicants who are deaf);
• Are citizens of one of the following countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe;
• Are residents of one of the above countries and will be permanently residing there as of May 1, 2025, and at the beginning of the Fellowship in June 2025; and
• Are not Alumni or prior participants of the Mandela Washington Fellowship.

Note: The Mandela Washington Fellowship does not discriminate against applicants because of race, ethnicity, colour, national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic location, education, income, socio-economic status, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other protected characteristic as established by U.S. law.  The Fellowship is committed to fairness, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Please also note that Fellows are not allowed to have dependents, including spouses and children, accompany them during the Fellowship.

Selection of finalists from all eligible countries may be subject to review in response to local, national, or global events that impact the ability to conduct program activities.

The U.S. Department of State and IREX reserve the right to verify all information included in the application.  In the event of a discrepancy, or if the information is false, the application will immediately be declared invalid and the applicant ineligible.

The 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship Application Process 

To apply for the 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship, click the link to register and start your application. 

Learn more about the 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship here.