YALI Emerging Leaders Programme

YALI RLC West Africa Emerging Leaders 2024 Programme (Cohort 50)

The YALI Regional Leadership Center West Africa Emerging Leaders Program for 2024 (Cohort 50) offers transformational training to young African leaders aged 18-35. YALI’s initiative, established through partnerships between public and private sectors, operates across four Regional Leadership Centers (RLCs) within African institutions of higher learning. These centers provide comprehensive training in Civic Leadership, Public Management, and Business and Entrepreneurship through a curriculum rooted in servant leadership principles.

Graduates of the RLCs become part of an alumni network committed to effecting positive change in their communities and mentoring future leaders. The program addresses contemporary African challenges such as waste management, electrification, digital literacy, and education, preparing participants to tackle these pressing issues upon completion.

Launched by the United States Government, the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) aims to nurture the next generation of African leaders in business, entrepreneurship, civil society, and public sector management. The selection process for the YALI RLC West Africa involves a merit-based competition where applicants from countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Burkina Faso are shortlisted based on eligibility criteria.

Participants in the YALI RLC West Africa program gain access to a variety of leadership training opportunities tailored to their respective tracks:

Business and Entrepreneurship: For aspiring entrepreneurs aiming to lead within the private sector or initiate their own ventures.
Civil Society Management: Geared towards individuals engaged in or aspiring to engage in civic activities through NGOs, community organizations, or volunteerism.
Public Policy and Management: Designed for those pursuing careers in government, regional organizations like the African Union, international organizations, or think tanks.

Upon successful completion of the program, participants receive certificates and become part of the YALI Alumni network, gaining access to ongoing networking and mentoring opportunities.

To qualify, applicants must:

Be aged 18-35 at the time of application.
Be citizens and residents of eligible West African countries.
Not hold U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.
Be able to obtain a visa for Ghana.
Possess proficiency in English (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).

The application process involves initial review and shortlisting based on these criteria, followed by interviews and final selection.

The YALI RLC West Africa Emerging Leaders Program encourages young leaders to apply for its upcoming Cohort 50, which includes specialized training for agri-business actors serving vulnerable groups along the agricultural value chain. This unique opportunity promises not only skill development but also the chance to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s development trajectory.

Selection Process

Tracks

Business and Entrepreneurship: This track caters to the range of emerging or aspiring entrepreneurs who expect to take on leadership roles within the private sector or build their own business ventures on the continent.
Civil Society Management: This track is oriented to those who are or aspire to be civically engaged and serve the public through non-governmental organizations, community based organizations, or volunteerism.
Public Policy and Management: This track is tailored to those who work or aspire to work in any level of government (including elected positions), regional organizations such as the African Union or the West Africa Community, international organizations such as the United Nations, or other publicly minded organizations or think tanks