About the Fellowship

The [Africa Future of Work and Entrepreneurship] Fellowship is designed to equip young innovators across Africa to create research-driven solutions to address employment challenges and enable young Africans to thrive in the entrepreneurial future of work. As part of the fellowship, participants will explore the landscape in their countries through research to understand the realities of employability, the future of work, how jobs are being created in the entrepreneurial sector, the challenges and opportunities, and what can be done to make it more effective and valuable. They will also explore projects that help more young people acquire and use entrepreneurial skills and launch entrepreneurial projects. Fellows will conduct research, engage with stakeholders, uncover market opportunities, and use human-centered design to launch simple and efficient initiatives and solutions that meet the stated objectives. They will pilot their projects and present research reports, a live project, and a presentation of their research/projects at the 2023 Africa Future of Work and Entrepreneurship Summit in Kigali.

This is for young people and professionals passionate about creating entrepreneurial jobs and the future of work.

Stock Market Results

  • Practical data and contextual realities about employment, entrepreneurship, and the future of work in Africa.
  • Innovative and practical solutions that address identified challenges or amplify the effectiveness of existing solutions in the space.
  • Young, skilled African innovators with a research-oriented, innovative, and human-centered mindset, solving employment and the future of work challenges and seizing African opportunities.

Program components and flow

The fellowship includes online experience and the opportunity to attend an offline summit in Kigali, Rwanda, in November 2023.

The learning modules include:

  • The Future of Entrepreneurship at Work
  • Research Techniques and Methodologies
  • Partnerships and Stakeholder Management
  • Market Research and Opportunity Identification
  • Human Centred Design
  • Project Development and Management
  • Communication, Presentation and Pitching
  • Business Models and Business Strategy
  • Marketing and Sales
  • Financial and Legal Considerations

The weekly flow will include self-learning sessions, peer presentations, pitching and feedback, mentoring sessions, progress deliveries, and occasional social sessions.

Project Results and Submission

  • Main Deliveries
  • Research Outcomes Report
  • Innovative Solution implementation
  • Weekly Deliverables

Fellowship Benefits

  • Experiential and Practical Learning Content
  • Guidance from Experts and Mentors
  • Collaborative Peers and Community
  • Support of Innovative Projects
  • Post-Fellowship Network and support
  • Partial or full sponsorship to Africa Future of Work & Entrepreneurship Summit in Kigali, Rwanda.

Program Timelines

June – July 15, 2023

Applications

July 17–21, 2023

Selection Announcements

July 24, 2023

Fellowship Kick-off

July 24, 2023

Mid-program travel sponsorship selection

November 11-12, 2023

Africa Future of Work and Entrepreneurship Summit, Kigali

December 1st and 2nd, 2023

Completion of scholarships and launch of the alumni program.

Application process

  • Citizen and resident of an African country.
  • Passionate about the future of work, employability, and entrepreneurship.
  • Able to commit 15 to 20 hours per week and engage in all program activities.
  • Be a young, passionate, and self-motivated African, aged 18-34.

Click HERE to sign up

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