Lead For Africa (LFA) is dedicated to cultivating ethical and effective leaders who drive meaningful social change in Africa. We focus on addressing educational inequity and leadership gaps by identifying, training, and placing talented recent graduates in underserved schools to teach and lead in underserved communities. For us, it is important for the next generation of leaders in Africa to understand first-hand the challenges facing the educational sector and their root causes.
The fellowship is a leadership development program designed to select and train exceptional individuals from diverse academic backgrounds. We equip associates with the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed to become transformative leaders across all sectors of development.
The program is open to graduates with a bachelor’s degree and above who are passionate about education, change, leadership and community development. Eligible applicants must be either citizens of the given country or non-citizens with a permit to work in the country. The eligibility age is 18 to 35.
Associates commit to serving as full-time teachers in under-resourced schools across Africa for two years. They collaborate with school stakeholders to enhance educational outcomes, introduce innovative teaching methodologies, and foster a positive learning environment. Associates also dedicate efforts to identifying development gaps within their communities and implement sustainable solutions to address these gaps.
First, you must apply online through our application portal, which usually opens at the beginning of each year, and complete a set of essay questions about yourself and your leadership journey. If successful, applicants will progress to the in-person assessment stage, after which they will be accepted into the program if successful. Click here to start your application: https://apply-za.leadforafrica.org
If you are in the process of completing a bachelor’s or graduate program in a university in Africa, you can apply to be a Lead For Africa Campus Ambassador to help create awareness about the LFA brand on your campus. Click here for more information: https://leadforafrica.org/about-us
After the two-year service, associates become a part of the Lead For Africa Leadership Network, a pantheon of leaders with a shared experience of leading change in under-resourced communities. With the training, experience, and the network they have developed, our alumni go on to work in diverse sectors, set up their own organizations, or pursue higher learning.
The program is strictly for two years due to its design that allows for maximum impact for associates, schools and communities. There is no provision for a one-year commitment.
No, associates can be posted to any of the regions/provinces in the given country based on needs and strengths. Postings maximize the strengths and fellowship experience for participants.
Associates are paid a monthly salary with pension benefits.