Applications are now open for the 2026 Emerging Leaders Programme, a six-month leadership development opportunity designed for mid-level executives across Africa who want to strengthen their leadership skills, build resilience and drive meaningful change.
The programme is delivered by UONGOZI Institute in collaboration with HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management Ltd (HAUS kehittämiskeskus Oy).
Starting in December 2026, the programme provides participants with a dynamic, self-paced learning experience focused on personal leadership, resilience, growth and the ability to mobilise others around positive change.
A limited number of merit-based scholarships are also available, giving selected participants an opportunity to access the programme through financial support.
What Is the Emerging Leaders Programme?
Leadership in today’s rapidly changing environment requires more than technical expertise or professional experience. Leaders increasingly need the ability to understand themselves, respond effectively to challenges, adapt to uncertainty and inspire others to work towards shared goals.
The Emerging Leaders Programme is designed around these leadership capabilities.
Delivered over six months, the programme challenges participants to develop greater self-awareness while embracing a mindset focused on resilience and continuous growth.
Participants will also explore how they can mobilise other people to contribute to change within their organisations, communities and wider societies.
The self-paced format is designed to allow participants to engage with the programme alongside their existing professional responsibilities.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is specifically aimed at mid-level executives working in any sector across Africa.
This makes the opportunity potentially relevant to professionals working in government, business, civil society, development organisations, academia and other sectors.
Applicants should be professionals who are ready to deepen their leadership capabilities and take greater responsibility for driving change.
Rather than focusing on a single professional discipline, the programme is open to mid-level executives across different sectors, creating the potential for participants to learn from a diverse group of African professionals.
What Will Participants Gain?
The programme focuses on several important dimensions of leadership development.
One of its central areas is self-awareness. Understanding personal strengths, behaviours, motivations and areas for improvement can help leaders become more effective in their professional roles.
Participants will also be challenged to develop a resilience and growth mindset. This is particularly important for leaders working in environments where organisations and communities face uncertainty, rapid change and complex challenges.
Another key component is the ability to mobilise others to drive change.
Effective leadership is not simply about holding a position of authority. It also involves influencing, motivating and working with others to turn ideas into meaningful action.
The programme therefore provides an opportunity for participants to reflect on their leadership approach and consider how they can create greater impact through collaboration and collective action.
A Six-Month Self-Paced Leadership Experience
The Emerging Leaders Programme begins in December 2026 and runs for six months.
Its self-paced structure can be particularly useful for mid-career professionals who need to balance professional responsibilities with leadership development.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage with the programme while continuing their existing work.
The six-month duration also provides time for participants to reflect on leadership concepts and consider how they can apply their learning in their own professional environments.
Merit-Based Scholarships Available
A limited number of merit-based scholarships are available for the 2026 cohort.
Because the number of scholarships is limited, interested professionals should carefully review the application requirements and submit their applications before the deadline.
Applicants interested in receiving scholarship consideration should follow the official application process and provide any information requested through the application form.
Why African Professionals Should Consider Applying
The programme provides an opportunity for mid-level executives from across Africa to invest in their leadership development while connecting with a broader community of professionals working in different sectors.
For professionals preparing to take on greater responsibilities, developing stronger self-awareness, resilience and people-mobilisation skills can be an important step towards becoming a more effective leader.
The programme’s cross-sector focus also means participants can potentially gain perspectives from professionals working beyond their own field.
This can be particularly valuable for executives who want to understand leadership challenges from different organisational and professional perspectives.
Application Deadline
Applications for the 2026 Emerging Leaders Programme are open until 23 October 2026.
The programme starts in December 2026 and will run for six months.
Interested mid-level executives across Africa are encouraged to apply before the deadline, particularly those who wish to be considered for one of the limited merit-based scholarships.
Apply here: https://tally.so/r/Y5NGO5
Programme Details at a Glance
- Programme: Emerging Leaders Programme 2026
- Target group: Mid-level executives
- Geographic focus: Africa
- Sector: Any sector
- Start date: December 2026
- Duration: 6 months
- Format: Self-paced
- Scholarships: Limited merit-based scholarships available
- Application deadline: 23 October 2026
- Delivered by: UONGOZI Institute, in collaboration with HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management Ltd
About the Organisers
The programme is delivered by UONGOZI Institute in collaboration with HAUS kehittämiskeskus Oy / HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management Ltd.
The collaboration brings together organisations focused on leadership and public management development to deliver the Emerging Leaders Programme for professionals across Africa.
For eligible professionals, the 2026 cohort provides an opportunity to pause, reflect on their leadership journey and develop practical capabilities for navigating change and mobilising others.
