The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). The Fellows, between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished leaders and have established records of promoting innovation and positive impact in their communities and countries. 

The Fulbright Program, the United States government’s flagship program of international educational and cultural exchange, offers passionate and accomplished students and scholars in more than 160 countries the opportunity to study, teach, conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to mutual understanding. These talented Fulbrighters from all backgrounds inspire, innovate, and contribute to finding solutions to challenges facing our communities and our world.

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program enhances leadership among international professionals who collaborate to address local and global challenges and foster change for our collective good.

Through academic study and professional development with U.S. counterparts, this growing global network shares best practices and builds expertise in fields of critical importance to advance societal and institutional capacity.

SUSI programs are designed to provide undergraduate student with leadership skills, academic programs to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions through intensive academic programs at U.S. Universities and study tours throughout the country. Candidates should: must be highly motivated first through third year undergraduates aged 18-25 who demonstrate strong leadership through high academic achievement, community involvement, and extracurricular activities. 

YALI Regional Leadership Centers (RLCs) are located at higher education institutions in sub-Saharan Africa and offer leadership training programs to young leaders between the ages of 18 and 35. By providing in-person and online training, networking, and professional development opportunities, the RLCs serve as a place for young African leaders to collaborate on continent. The RLCs are funded and managed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in close partnership with The MasterCard Foundation and other private sector partners. Each center is managed as a public-private partnership.

The digital YALI Network was established as a public diplomacy tool to help the United States expand beyond the reach of in-person exchange programs.  The Network shares online policy-based information by reaching, engaging, and mobilizing more diverse and wider audiences than traditional messaging alone.  The Network’s public engagement campaigns promote U.S. policy goals in Africa, such as good governance, gender equality, women’s empowerment, and entrepreneurship to help young African leaders develop the skills and connections they need to become a positive force for change in their communities.

​Alumni.state.gov is a website accessible to the general public and all who have participated and completed a U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange program.