Deadline: May 13, 2026
Applications for the Trevor Noah Foundation Education Changemakers Program in East and Central Africa 2026 are now open. The program is inviting passionate young leaders working in education to apply for a transformative leadership development experience.
The program is spearheaded by the Regional Leadership Center East Africa at Kenyatta University in Nairobi and implemented in partnership with the Trevor Noah Foundation (TNF), with support from the Oak Foundation. Together, the partners continue to strengthen a growing network of education leaders committed to improving learning outcomes across the region.
The Trevor Noah Foundation equips underserved youth in Africa with the education, skills, and opportunities needed to thrive. Its work focuses on strengthening youth pathways, supporting and developing teachers, improving school infrastructure, and investing in locally led solutions through the Education Changemakers Program (ECM) and the recently introduced Khulani Nathi Innovation Fund (KNIF), ensuring young people have meaningful learning and livelihood pathways beyond matric.
Program Components
The program consists of two phases:
- Phase 1: Four weeks of immersive, in-person leadership training in Nairobi, Kenya. Participants gain foundational leadership skills, explore how business and public-sector tools can strengthen education systems, and participate in case studies and site visits.
- Phase 2: Six months of post-training support, including coaching, mentoring, and access to small grants to implement school-based initiatives.
- Participants join a growing pan-African alumni network committed to transforming education across the continent.
Eligibility
They are looking for young leaders aged 18–35 from the following East and Central African countries: Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Applicants must:
- Be actively working in or with the primary or secondary education sector
- Demonstrate commitment to improving education outcomes
- Be proficient in English
- Be first-time applicants (not alumni of YALI RLC or Mandela Washington Fellowship)
- Commit to the full in-person training and post-program engagement
Application
For more information, visit Changemakers Program in East and Central Africa.
