Emerging African professionals working in data governance, digital policy, artificial intelligence and technology are invited to apply for the 2026 Africa’s Data Future Fellowship, a three-month virtual capacity-building programme organised by the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA).
The fellowship is designed to equip emerging leaders and changemakers with the knowledge, skills and mentorship needed to contribute to Africa’s evolving data governance and digital transformation landscape. For the 2026 cohort, 10 fellows will be selected from across Africa.
Successful fellows can receive a maximum stipend of US$1,500 upon successful completion, participate in expert-led virtual masterclasses and gain access to a growing Pan-African professional network.
About the Africa’s Data Future Fellowship 2026
The Africa’s Data Future Fellowship is a three-month remote programme focused on strengthening the capacity of professionals working within Africa’s data governance and digital policy ecosystem.
The 2026 programme is scheduled to begin in October 2026 and will be delivered entirely online. Fellows will participate in bi-weekly virtual expert brainstorming sessions and engage with relevant institutions within the data and digital policy ecosystem in their respective countries.
The programme provides a platform for participants to deepen their understanding of emerging digital policy issues while developing practical policy-oriented outputs.
Key Thematic Areas
The fellowship will focus on six major areas shaping Africa’s digital future:
- Digital Rights
- Data Sharing
- Data Value Chain
- Digital Public Infrastructure
- Regulatory Interoperability
- Data Sovereignty
These thematic areas provide fellows with an opportunity to examine important policy and governance questions surrounding Africa’s growing digital economy and data ecosystems.
Applicants should demonstrate a clear interest in one or more of these themes and explain how their professional background connects with their selected area.
Fellowship Benefits
The 2026 Africa’s Data Future Fellowship provides selected participants with a combination of financial support, professional development and networking opportunities.
Fellows will receive a maximum stipend of US$1,500 upon successful completion of the fellowship. They will also participate in bi-weekly virtual masterclasses and expert sessions featuring leaders from relevant sectors.
Additional benefits include:
- Opportunities for fellows’ work to be featured on CSEA platforms.
- Access to a growing Pan-African professional network.
- Exposure to experts and sector leaders.
- Opportunities to develop policy-focused research and written outputs.
The fellowship’s language of delivery is English and French, making it relevant to professionals across different parts of the continent.
What Will Fellows Do?
The fellowship is designed around practical outputs rather than learning alone.
Each fellow will be expected to develop a detailed policy brief and a blog post addressing one of the programme’s thematic areas. Fellows will subsequently present their findings at a dedicated workshop.
Participants are also expected to engage with a relevant institution within the data and digital policy ecosystem in their country during the fellowship. This engagement will help fellows disseminate their fellowship findings and connect their work to broader policy discussions.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is open to emerging professionals from across Africa who meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
Applicants must:
- Hold a postgraduate degree.
- Have at least one year of professional experience in social sciences, law, technology, data policy or a related field.
- Be from and resident in an African country.
- Currently work or be professionally engaged in data governance, digital policy, artificial intelligence, technology or related areas.
- Work in or be professionally engaged with government institutions, private-sector organisations, AI start-ups, research institutions, policy think tanks, universities or civil society organisations.
- Demonstrate an interest in or experience related to the public sector, data governance, digital policy and/or technology.
- Be willing and able to commit at least two hours per week for the duration of the fellowship.
- Have access to a reliable internet connection and a functional computer.
The fellowship can therefore accommodate professionals from diverse backgrounds, including those working in fintech, edtech, healthtech, agritech and other technology-driven ventures.
Application Requirements
The selection process is competitive, and all applications must be submitted through the online application system in English.
Applicants will need to provide:
A completed application form: Candidates must complete the online fellowship application.
A two-page CV: The CV should be no longer than two pages and should highlight relevant academic and professional experience.
A statement of interest: Applicants must provide a statement of no more than 300 words explaining their interest in their selected fellowship thematic areas.
A problem statement: Candidates must submit a maximum 300-word problem statement outlining a data governance or digitalisation challenge in their sub-region related to one of the fellowship’s thematic areas.
A writing sample: Applicants must provide a policy brief, research paper or similar writing sample relating to data governance, artificial intelligence, digital policy or a related topic.
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for the 2026 Africa’s Data Future Fellowship is 18 September 2026. Interested professionals should ensure that their application materials are complete and submitted before the stated deadline.
Why Emerging African Professionals Should Apply
Africa’s digital transformation is creating an increasing need for professionals who understand the relationship between technology, data, policy and governance.
The CSEA fellowship offers emerging professionals an opportunity to strengthen their policy knowledge while producing practical research outputs and connecting with peers and experts from across the continent.
For professionals already working in digital policy, AI, technology, research or data governance, the fellowship can provide an opportunity to expand their professional network and develop work that contributes to policy conversations within their countries and across Africa.
With only 10 fellows expected to be selected, prospective applicants are encouraged to prepare strong applications that clearly demonstrate their experience, interests and understanding of the programme’s thematic areas.
How to Apply
Eligible candidates should submit their applications through the official online application system before 18 September 2026. The application requires a completed form, CV, statement of interest, problem statement and relevant writing sample.
