African Leadership Institute (AFLI) Archbishop Tutu Fellowship Programme 2027 for Emerging young African Leaders (Fully Funded)

Application Deadline: 20 September 2026 Applications are now open for the 2027 African Leadership Institute (AFLI) Archbishop Tutu Fellowship Programme . The goal of the African Leadership Institute (AFLI) is to nurture and enhance leadership capability across Africa, with particular focus on Africa’s most promising young leaders. AFLI’s aim is to create a network of high-potential young Africans who have attended our programmes, and who are expected to rise to top leadership positions in their sphere of activity over the next 5-10 years and be actively engaged in contributing to positive change on the continent. AFLI achieves this through its flagship programme, the Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship Programme , which has been offered since 2006. The programme provides leadership learning activities that enhance selected candidates’ experiences, insights, tools and confidence, and provides a support network that will better enable them to become drivers of the transformation of Africa. Requirements For individuals interested in the programme, AFLI opens nominations annually for the approximately 25 slots in the programme. Applicants must be between 30-39 years of age and be nominated to be granted access to apply. Only one nomination is necessary. Direct applications are not accepted The Class of 2027 will be announced in January 2027. Nomination Procedure The fellowship operates through a nomination-first process. The process is straightforward: A nominator submits the candidate’s details. AFLI reviews nominations. Eligible nominated candidates receive access to the official fellowship application. Final fellows are selected through a rigorous competitive process. No login or account is required to submit a nomination. Application Timeline Invited nominations start date 26 August 2026 Nominations close 20 September 2026 at Midnight Johannesburg, South Africa time. Screening of nominees Approximately one week to 10 days after nomination closure, depending on nomination numbers Application process begins On or around 25 September 2026 Deadline cutoff for applications 25 October 2026 at Midnight Johannesburg, South Africa time. Deadline for Letters of Recommendation by Referees 25 October 2026 at Midnight Johannesburg, South Africa time. Selection process begins Early November 2026. Shortlisted candidates informed mid-December 2026. Finalisation by selectors of the Class Mid-January 2027 Communication with final candidates Invitation emails sent to Associates and Reserves – beginning February 2027 Status of all applications All candidates will have received a status email by the time invitation emails are distributed. Most will be sent in mid-December 2026. Finalists will receive a status email in early 2027. Announcement of the Class of 2027 Sometime prior to the first Workshop in South Africa. For More Information: Visit the Official Webpage of the African Leadership Institute (AFLI) Archbishop Tutu Fellowship Programme