The African Young Women Leaders (AfYWL) Fellowship Programme, a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the African Union Commission (AUC), is helping cultivate a new generation of African women leaders equipped to contribute to sustainable development, policymaking and inclusive growth.
Established in 2019, the fellowship programme was created to provide young African women with leadership skills, professional experience and opportunities to contribute to development programmes aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
The programme brings together talented young women from across Africa and provides them with practical experience through assignments within UNDP offices in Africa and around the world.
About the AfYWL Fellowship Programme
The African Young Women Leaders Fellowship Programme aims to advance gender equality and women’s leadership by investing in young African women who have the potential to make meaningful contributions to their communities, countries and the continent.
The programme is built around the idea that young women should not only participate in development but also have opportunities to influence decisions and shape policies across public, private and multilateral institutions.
Through the fellowship, participants gain exposure to diverse development environments while developing their professional and leadership capabilities.
The programme also seeks to create a strong network of African women professionals who can continue collaborating and promoting innovative, sustainable and inclusive development after their fellowship experience.
The Three Pillars of the Programme
The AfYWL Fellowship Programme is structured around three major pillars.
1. Developing young women leaders
The programme equips outstanding young African women with leadership skills and practical experience needed to advance the SDGs and contribute effectively to decision-making within public, private and multilateral institutions.
2. Building a diverse talent pool
The fellowship helps create a diverse pool of talented African professionals who can contribute to UNDP’s organisational effectiveness while supporting the development of more responsive and effective policies and programmes.
3. Creating a professional network
The programme develops a network of African young women professionals committed to innovative, sustainable and inclusive development. The network also encourages South-South development exchange, allowing participants to share knowledge and experiences across countries and regions.
Fellowship Structure and Professional Experience
A central feature of AfYWL is the opportunity for fellows to undertake one-year assignments within UNDP country, regional and headquarters offices.
These placements expose participants to different development contexts and allow them to gain hands-on experience working within an international development organisation.
The assignments can provide valuable exposure to areas connected to sustainable development, policymaking, programme implementation, leadership and international cooperation.
The fellowship therefore combines leadership development with practical professional experience, helping participants strengthen the skills required for careers in development and public service.
Previous AfYWL Cohorts
Since its establishment, the programme has expanded its reach across Africa and internationally.
The first cohort, covering 2019–2021, included 21 fellows from 20 African countries who were deployed to 20 UNDP offices globally.
The second cohort, covering 2022–2023, brought together 38 fellows representing 22 African countries. They were deployed across 26 UNDP offices in Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States.
The third cohort, covering 2024–2025, consisted of 36 fellows representing 24 African countries and placed across 25 UNDP country, regional and global offices.
The programme’s fourth phase, covering 2025–2026, includes 45 fellows from 31 African countries. These fellows are deployed across 24 UNDP country, regional and global offices.
The increasing number of participating countries and fellows demonstrates the programme’s growing continental and international reach.
What Participants Gain
The AfYWL Fellowship provides participants with opportunities to develop both professional and leadership capabilities.
Key benefits of the programme include:
- Practical experience within UNDP offices.
- Exposure to international development programmes.
- Leadership development opportunities.
- Experience working in diverse development contexts.
- Opportunities to contribute to SDG-related initiatives.
- Exposure to public, private and multilateral development environments.
- Opportunities to build an international professional network.
- Participation in South-South knowledge exchange.
- Opportunities to develop innovative approaches to sustainable and inclusive development.
The programme also provides an environment where young women can learn from other leaders and professionals while developing their own approaches to leadership.
A Platform for African Women Leaders
The AfYWL programme emphasises the importance of young African women in shaping the future of the continent.
Its leadership approach encourages fellows to combine competence and confidence with resilience, purpose and a commitment to positive change.
The programme also recognises that women’s leadership can have a wider impact by creating opportunities for other women and strengthening participation in decision-making.
By connecting young women from different African countries, AfYWL contributes to the development of a broader community of emerging women leaders.
Who Is the Programme For?
The programme is designed around young African women leaders with the potential to contribute to sustainable development and leadership across Africa and globally.
However, the UNDP programme page provided does not currently publish a new open application call, eligibility criteria for a future cohort, application deadline or application form.
The current information highlights the fourth phase running from 2025 to 2026. Prospective applicants should therefore avoid relying on outdated application announcements and should monitor official UNDP Africa and AUC channels for any future fellowship call.
Why the Fellowship Matters
The African Young Women Leaders Fellowship represents an important investment in Africa’s next generation of women leaders.
By combining professional experience, leadership development, international exposure and networking, the programme gives young African women opportunities to strengthen their ability to contribute to sustainable development and decision-making.
Its focus on the SDGs, Agenda 2063, gender equality, inclusive development and South-South cooperation also makes the programme relevant to young professionals interested in Africa’s long-term transformation.
For aspiring women leaders seeking international development experience, the AfYWL Fellowship is a programme worth monitoring for future application announcements.
Application Information
The current UNDP AfYWL programme page does not announce an open application period for a new cohort. The latest information identifies 2025–2026 as the programme’s fourth phase, involving 45 fellows from 31 African countries.
Interested candidates should consult official UNDP Africa announcements for future calls and verify the eligibility requirements, application deadline and submission procedure when a new cohort is announced.
The AfYWL Fellowship continues to demonstrate the value of investing in young African women as future leaders capable of shaping more sustainable, inclusive and equitable communities and institutions across the continent.
