Africa is home to the youngest population in the world, with more than 60% under the age of 25. This demographic advantage offers a unique opportunity to transform the continent. But the question remains: who is equipping these young people to lead? One of the most impactful answers to that question is the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).
Founded in 2010 by former U.S. President Barack Obama, YALI is more than a leadership program. It is a movement dedicated to identifying, nurturing, and empowering Africa’s brightest young minds to become transformational leaders. At LaliMotivates, we recognize YALI as a powerful driver of youth development across the continent and a shining example of what investment in young people can accomplish.
🌍 What Is YALI?
The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) was created to support emerging leaders aged 18–35 across three key sectors:
- Business and Entrepreneurship
- Civic Leadership
- Public Management
It operates through three main platforms:
1. Mandela Washington Fellowship
This is the flagship program of YALI. Each year, over 700 exceptional young Africans travel to top U.S. universities for six weeks of leadership and skills development in their chosen track. The program ends with a prestigious summit in Washington, D.C., where fellows engage directly with U.S. government officials, business leaders, and peers from across Africa.
What it offers:
- Academic and hands-on leadership training
- Cultural exchange and collaboration
- Long-term support through alumni networks
2. YALI Regional Leadership Centers (RLCs)
Four YALI Regional Leadership Centers are located across Africa:
- West Africa (Accra, Ghana)
- East Africa (Nairobi, Kenya)
- Southern Africa (Pretoria, South Africa)
- Francophone West Africa (Dakar, Senegal)
These centers provide intensive leadership development training in-person and online. Programs focus on ethical leadership, innovation, civic engagement, and entrepreneurship.
Why RLCs matter:
- Tailored training for local realities
- Collaboration with mentors and business leaders
- Projects that give back to communities
3. YALI Network (Online Community)
With over 1 million members, the YALI Network is a virtual training and networking platform for young Africans who want to grow their leadership skills, even if they haven’t joined a fellowship or RLC.
What it provides:
- Free online courses on leadership, entrepreneurship, gender equity, and civic engagement
- Weekly challenges and toolkits
- Access to webinars and downloadable resources
You can join the network for free at https://yali.state.gov/network/
💡 Real Stories, Real Change
YALI alumni are not waiting for change—they are leading it.
- Ethel Cofie (Ghana): Tech entrepreneur and founder of Women in Tech Africa, a platform that supports women across 30 African countries.
- Diana Ngonyama (Zimbabwe): Civic activist who launched a national campaign to increase youth voter turnout.
- Samson Itodo (Nigeria): Policy advocate and founder of Yiaga Africa, a leading organization promoting youth participation in democracy.
Thousands more are transforming their communities in education, agriculture, health, and governance.
Since its launch:
- 5,800+ Mandela Washington Fellows have been trained
- 20,000+ RLC graduates are leading across sectors
- 1 million+ YALI Network members are taking online training and driving change in real time
🚀 Why YALI Is a Game-Changer for Africa
YALI is building not just leaders—but ethical, empowered, and visionary leaders. Here’s how it’s changing the game:
- Skill Development: Fellows and participants gain practical, real-world knowledge to solve Africa’s toughest challenges.
- Community Impact: Graduates often return home to launch NGOs, start-ups, and social movements.
- Networking & Mentorship: Participants connect with professionals, policy makers, and fellow changemakers.
- Pan-African Unity: YALI bridges the linguistic, cultural, and political divides across the continent, promoting a shared vision of African prosperity.
📝 How to Get Involved
If you’re an aspiring young African leader, YALI offers three pathways:
- Mandela Washington Fellowship
Apply via: https://yali.state.gov/fellowship/
(Applications open annually, typically around August/September) - Regional Leadership Centers (RLCs)
- East Africa (Nairobi)
- Southern Africa (Pretoria)
- Francophone West Africa (Dakar)
- Join the YALI Network
Available to all young Africans, regardless of background or location.
Sign up
🗣️ LaliMotivates Final Word: Africa Needs YOU
At LaliMotivates, we believe Africa’s future lies in the hands of passionate, informed, and empowered youth. YALI is proof that with the right training, mentorship, and community, young Africans can rise to become global influencers, problem, solvers, and ethical leaders.
Are you ready to be one of them?
👉 Take the step. Apply to YALI. Grow your leadership. Inspire your continent.
💬 Already part of YALI? Share your story with us! Tag @LaliMotivates on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
