Applications are open for the Women in Africa Young Leaders Program 2021. In 2021, WIA is launching the first edition of the WIA Young Leaders program, developed in collaboration with its partners Dior and Lazard. Through this program, WIA and its partners want to support and promote young African women leaders. In 2021, five selected Young Leaders will benefit from an international support program. The goal is to roll out this program every year, with the vision of opening it up to more than 400 young women by 2030.

Program Details

The five winners will benefit from a two-part program: they will first take a digital training course covering women’s leadership and skills needed for the future, taking place in the second quarter of 2021. Then, they will attend the in-person-session part of the Women in Africa Young Leaders Program, during the month of September, which will take place in Paris.

Personalized monitoring will be implemented by WIA. It will enable to identify the individual needs of Young Leaders and to respond precisely to the rise in skills of each of them.

The face-to-face part of the program will take place in Paris. During their stay in Paris, the Young Leaders will have the opportunity to visit Paris and make many meetings essential to the development of their network. They will also have, for example, the exclusive opportunity to visit the Maison Dior archives, as well as to be welcomed into the Lazard offices. A virtual event will finally be organized on the return from this trip, to allow the very first WIA Young Leaders promotion to share their experience.

Eligibility

• Women in Africa Young Leaders Program is open to young African women.
• They must show a strong interest in the development of the continent.

Candidates should be African nationals and must show a strong interest in the development of the continent. The winners will be selected by a prestigious international jury for their career and their exemplary leadership capacities. The jury welcomes candidates from underprivileged backgrounds.

Selection Criteria

• Interest in Africa’s development and a vision for the continent.
• The ability to reconcile business conduct and social impact.
• Awareness of the need for and importance of public-private dialogue.
• The ability to become decision-makers at the highest level.
• The strength of conviction combined with a sense for teamwork.
• Social ascension: self-made paths will be a priority.
• Strong bonds to Africa: the candidate – or her parents – must be born in an African country or be linked to an activity or cause in Africa.
• Humility, empathy and resilience.