Moremi Initiative Leadership Empowerment and Development (MILEAD) Fellows Program 2026 for Young African Women – Application Open

Application Deadline: March 20, 2026

Applications for the 2026 Moremi Initiative Leadership Empowerment and Development (MILEAD) Fellows Program are now being accepted from exceptional young African women. A call for applications has been issued by the Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa (MILEAD) to identify outstanding candidates for this paradigm-shifting leadership initiative, which is dedicated to discovering and cultivating Africa’s next generation of courageous and visionary female leaders.

Through the MILEAD Program, a transformational long-term leadership development fellowship is offered to young African women. Participants will be provided with world-class leadership training, transformative tools and competencies, a lifelong support network, and the principles and approaches necessary to thrive as leaders in the 21st century. Dynamic young women who demonstrate genuine passion for tackling the most pressing challenges confronting women and girls throughout Africa are actively sought by the program.

Eligibility Criteria

The following requirements must be satisfied by prospective applicants:

• Age between 19 and 25 years and identification as an African woman
• Residence either within Africa or the Diaspora
• Evidence of proven leadership capability
• Willingness to fulfill all program requirements
• Dedication to executing a community change project

Program Highlights

Participants selected for the fellowship will experience:

• Three-week fully residential Summer Institute in Ghana – This compulsory intensive leadership immersion brings continental fellows together for approximately 22 days of in-person training encompassing lectures, discussions, workshops, research activities, presentations, and engagement with influential leaders
• Twelve-month fellowship period – Comprising online learning components, mentorship relationships, and community-based action through a MiCHANGE (community change) project addressing critical issues affecting their community or African women more broadly
• Flexible engagement model – Fellows may maintain full-time employment or academic studies throughout the year, with attendance at the mandatory three-week Summer Institute being the sole exception
• Cohort composition – Selection of 25 distinguished young women representing 25 distinct countries

Program Benefits

A comprehensive range of advantages will be gained by selected fellows:

• Development of exceptional competencies in leadership, activism, research, mentoring, public speaking, and advocacy
• Exposure to opportunities and resources supporting education, professional development, leadership growth, and personal advancement
• Assistance with admission applications to premier universities for continued education
• Acquisition of knowledge regarding critical contemporary issues including human rights concepts, women’s human rights, leadership frameworks, gender equity, and social justice
• Automatic inclusion in the Moremi Fellows Network upon successful program conclusion
• Sustained support for personal and leadership development through Moremi and associated partner networks
• Promotion of achievements and initiatives via partner networks and media channels to enhance visibility and exposure
• Access to Moremi Initiative mentors, including some of Africa’s most distinguished women leaders
• Support for implementing personal community leadership projects addressing issues significant to their peers, school, community, or nation

Application Procedure

Submission of the following materials via email is required from interested candidates:

• Fully completed application form
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Two letters of recommendation

Important Notes

It should be noted that this fellowship does not operate on a full-time basis. Throughout the program duration, selected candidates may remain enrolled as full-time students or employed full-time, with the exception of the three-week summer institute, which demands intensive full-time residential participation. Community-based activities, online learning, and other distance engagement formats constitute the remainder of the program structure.

Application Materials

Access to the complete 2026 Application Package is available for download (Application Pack | Recommendation Form)

Click here to apply