WIA Young Leaders Program 2026 – Women in Africa Philanthropy – Apply Now

Application Deadline: May 15, 2026

About the Program

Since 2021, the WIA Young Leaders program has aimed to support and highlight young African women who are actively contributing to building a dynamic, innovative, and inclusive Africa. This initiative is part of the fight for equal opportunities and enables the training of young African women leaders by providing quality support in their professional careers and social advancement, helping them fully realize their potential. The program is an initiative of WIA Philanthropy, an organization dedicated to empowering African women leaders and entrepreneurs. The WIA Young Leaders program has already built a remarkable network of 43 alumnae who have successfully completed the program and are now making significant strides in their respective fields. Each year, 10 Young Leaders are selected through a highly competitive selection process.

Program Benefits

Selected participants join a pan-African community of high-potential leaders and gain access to:

• A network of senior African and international leaders – Mentorship and connections with established leaders across industries and continents
• Opportunities for visibility and recognition – Highlighting your work and impact through WIA platforms
• Participation in curated discussions and initiatives – Invitations to exclusive events, forums, and high-level conversations
• Connections across sectors and countries – Building relationships with peers from diverse backgrounds and industries

Fully Sponsored Participation:

The WIA Young Leaders program is fully sponsored. WIA covers:

• International flights
• Accommodation
• All program-related costs

Selected participants are only responsible for their visa fees and any personal expenses.

Eligibility Criteria

Leader Profile:

• Age: 25 to 40 years old (flexibility possible depending on experience level)
• Nationality: African – born in an African country or having parents born in an African country
• Language: Francophone, Anglophone, or Lusophone (ideally speaking several languages)
• Leadership skills: Humility, empathy, resilience
• Involvement and vision: Demonstrated involvement in the development of the continent
• Self-made: Ability to take on responsibilities at the highest level

Additional Requirements:

• The program is open exclusively to women who are citizens of an African country, regardless of their country of residence
• Applicants may live in Africa or abroad, provided they demonstrate a strong commitment to contributing positively to the development of the African continent
• Candidates should already be demonstrating leadership potential and tangible impact through their professional or entrepreneurial activities

Can members of the African diaspora apply?

Yes. Candidates who are citizens of an African country but currently living abroad are welcome to apply. Applicants may therefore indicate their African nationality, any additional nationality, and their current country of residence.

Can I apply if I have applied before?

Yes. Candidateswho applied in previous years are welcome to apply again.

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Application Information

What information will I need to provide in the application form?

Applicants will be asked to provide information about:

• Personal information (name, contact details, date of birth)
• Nationality and country of residence
• Languages spoken
• Educational background
• Professional experience
• Current organization or initiative
• Leadership experience and impact
• Motivation for joining the program
• Vision for Africa

Applicants may also upload a CV (optional).

How should I choose my sector?

Applicants should select the sector that best reflects their main professional activity or initiative. If their work spans several sectors (for example, health technology or climate finance), they may indicate a secondary sector.

The sectors used in the application form are:

• Technology, AI & Digital Innovation
• Finance, Investment & Fintech
• Health & Life Sciences
• Agriculture & Food Systems
• Climate, Energy & Environment
• Creative Industries (Media, Fashion, Film, Video Games, Design)
• Industry, Manufacturing & Engineering
• Infrastructure, Construction, Transport & Logistics
• Entrepreneurship & Business Services
• Public Sector, NGOs & International Organizations

What Type of Profiles Are You Looking For?

The program seeks high-potential leaders who are already demonstrating impact in their professional or entrepreneurial activities. This includes, for example:

• Founders and entrepreneurs
• Executives and professionals
• Researchers and innovators
• Policy leaders and public sector professionals
• Leaders in civil society and international organizations

Applicants should demonstrate leadership potential, a commitment to Africa, and a clear vision for the future.

Selection Criteria

Applications are reviewed by a jury based on several criteria, including:

• Leadership trajectory
• Demonstrated impact
• Commitment to Africa
• Clarity of vision for the future
• Potential to benefit from and contribute to the WIA network

Selection Process

Applications are reviewed through several stages:

1. Eligibility screening – Verifying that applicants meet basic criteria
2. Pre-selection review – Evaluating applications against selection criteria
3. Jury evaluation – Final review by a jury of leaders
4. Notification – Shortlisted candidates may be contacted if additional information is required

Results: Selected candidates will be contacted directly once the selection process is completed. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application.

Is there a participation fee?

No. The WIA Young Leaders program is fully sponsored. WIA covers international flights, accommodation, and all program-related costs. Selected participants are only responsible for their visa fees and any personal expenses.

How to Apply

Click on the link to the application website to apply.

Application Link: Click here to apply for WIA Young Leaders program

For More Information: Visit the Official WIA Philanthropy Young Leaders Program Page