The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) was launched by the United States of America Government as a signature effort to invest in the next generation of African business and social enterprise leaders launched the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).

YALI promotes three models designed to identify and empower young leaders: four Regional Leadership Centers (RLCs), the Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF) and the YALI Network.

YALI is a catalyst for transformational learning and leadership for youth in Africa; a robust program delivered using holistic, interactive, simulations and mentorship approaches.

The four RLCs located in South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and Senegal, offer training throughout the year, with two satellite campuses offering training at select times of the year.

The Centers draw participants from 48 countries in Africa ensuring diversity of language, culture, social economic background, among others.

Youth from these countries converge and interact over a four-week residential program that boosts courage, innovation, Pan Africanism, diversity & social inclusion, change making and design thinking. The centers have empowered over 13,000 alumni across 48 countries.

Youth from these countries converge and interact over a four-week residential program that boosts courage, innovation, Pan Africanism, diversity & social inclusion, change making and design thinking. The centers have empowered over 13,000 alumni across 48 countries.

YALI AFRICA signifies the next chapter in the evolution of the 4 Regional Leadership Centers and seeks to harness their collective power to develop the Centers into long-standing, sustainable institutions.

The establishment of YALI Africa is central to this success. YALI Africa, as a legal entity, will connect the four independent RLCs and serve as a secretariat – a central point for setting and maintaining the YALI RLCs’ mandate and unified vision, public presentation and branding, setting curriculum standards, and mobilizing resources jointly.

YALI Africa will also enable the Centers to breakdown regional boundaries and leverage their vast youth network for sustainability.  

At scale, YALI has the potential to create high-impact, long-lasting change in communities throughout the continent.