Mandela Washington Fellowship 2027 in USA

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship exchange programme of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). It is funded by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX.

In summer 2027, approximately 550 young African leaders will travel to the United States for an intensive executive-style leadership programme. Fellows are placed in groups at participating U.S. educational institutions for six-week Leadership Institutes.

The 2027 Fellowship offers three programme tracks:

• Business and Trade – for professionals working in business, entrepreneurship, trade, workforce development and related areas.
• Emerging Technologies – covering areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, biotechnology, robotics, advanced computing and cybersecurity.
• Governance and Security – for professionals working in public institutions, civil society, policymaking, security, rule of law and related fields.

The six-week programme combines academic sessions, professional site visits, networking, community service and cultural activities. Fellows also engage with American businesses, organisations, institutions and professionals.

Applicants may additionally apply for a four-week Professional Development Experience (PDE). Up to 50 Fellows will be competitively selected for placements with U.S. businesses, non-profit organisations or government agencies. The PDE is optional and is not required for selection into the main Fellowship.

Applicants must:

• Normally be 25–35 years old by 13 October 2026. Exceptional candidates aged 21–24 may also be considered. No applicants younger than 21 or older than 35 are eligible.
• Not be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
• Be eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa.
• Be proficient in reading, writing and speaking English.
• Be both a citizen and resident of an eligible Fellowship country.
• Be permanently residing in an eligible country by 1 February 2027 and at the beginning of the Fellowship in June 2027.
• Not be an alumnus or previous participant of the Mandela Washington Fellowship.
• Not be an employee, or immediate family member of an employee, of the U.S. Government. Current IREX employees/consultants and their immediate family members are also ineligible under IREX rules.

Eligible Countries

Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte 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, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The U.S. Government covers all programme costs for selected Fellows, including:

• J-1 visa support.
• Round-trip travel from the Fellow’s home city to the United States.
• Required domestic travel within the United States.
• Participation in the six-week Leadership Institute.
• Housing during the programme.
• Meals during the programme.
• Limited accident and sickness benefit plan.
• Academic and leadership training.
• Professional site visits.
• Structured networking opportunities with U.S. organisations and professionals.
• Cultural and community engagement activities.
• Access to the Fellowship alumni network and continuing professional-development opportunities.
• Optional four-week Professional Development Experience for up to 50 competitively selected Fellows.

Initial Application

Applicants complete the application online and provide information including:

• Personal and contact information.
• Citizenship and residency information.
• Education history.
• Professional experience.
• Community and volunteer experience.
• Professional training and certifications.
• Awards, honours, fellowships, grants and scholarships where applicable.
• Professional skills and languages.
• Publications, conferences and notable presentations where applicable.
• Professional associations and affiliations.
• English-language self-assessment.
• Previous U.S. experience where applicable.
• Leadership experience.
• Preferred Fellowship tracks.
• Personal statements and essay responses.
• Additional PDE responses if applying for the optional Professional Development Experience.

Passport

A passport is not required to submit the initial application.

Semi-finalists must provide an international passport, if available, or another government-issued photo ID during the interview stage.

Finalists will need a passport from an eligible Fellowship country that remains valid through at least 28 February 2028, or 31 March 2028 for those selected for the Professional Development Experience.

The Fellowship is a merit-based open competition. Applications are evaluated on:

• Proficiency in speaking, reading and writing English.
• Proven accomplishments in business, trade, emerging technologies, governance and/or security.
• Demonstrated interest in developing and maintaining partnerships with American organisations and businesses.
• Commitment to return to Sub-Saharan Africa and contribute skills and talents to local communities.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others.
• Respect for different perspectives.
• Strong social and communication skills.
• Adaptability.
• Ability to lead effectively in changing environments.

• Participate in a fully funded leadership programme in the United States.
• Learn at a U.S. college or university.
• Build leadership and professional skills through practical training.
• Connect with American businesses, institutions and professionals.
• Gain exposure to U.S. innovation, industry and organisational practices.
• Join an international network of African leaders.
• Develop professional partnerships between Africa and the United States.
• Access continuing networking and professional-development opportunities after the Fellowship.
• Potentially gain an additional four-week U.S. professional placement through the PDE.