The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) is a signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. The need to invest in grooming strong, results-oriented leaders comes out of the statistics: nearly 1 in 3 Africans are between the ages of 10 and 24, and approximately 60% of Africa’s total population is below the age of 35.

Aims

• Create critical thinkers.
• Solve complex and multidisciplinary problems.
• Foster entrepreneurial thinking.
• Innovative use of information, knowledge, and opportunities.
• Encourage communication and multicultural collaboration.
• Create awareness of contemporary African issues.

Requirements

• A proven record of leadership in public service, business, and entrepreneurship, or civic engagement. They can be new entrants in public and private service institutions looking to develop their leadership abilities.
• Proven record of knowledge, interest, and professional experience in the sector/track selected.
• Proven record of active engagement in public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship.
• Selected participants applying for the contact session must be willing to travel to the RLC SA in Midrand, Johannesburg or Maputo for the duration of the program.
• A commitment to apply leadership skills and training to benefit your country and/or community after the program.

Criteria

• Age (18-35)
• English language proficiency.
• Portuguese speaking participants will be accommodated in the Mozambique Hub at UEM.
• A commitment to positively impact Africa, their own countries as well as communities.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities and interest in Public Management, Entrepreneurship Development and Civic Leadership
• Commitment to serve the development agenda of the African continent.

Young leaders from the following countries are eligible to participate in the Young African Leaders Initiative program: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Lesotho, Malawi, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Kingdom of Eswatini, Zambia and Zimbabwe