Apply now for the AFC fellowship 2025 for Young Africans. The AFC Fellowship serves as both a leadership development initiative and a platform for dialogue and exchange among leaders from the emerging generation across the global South and North. Its primary focus is on our collective climate challenge and other significant global issues. This program aims to enhance the capabilities of a group of dynamic emerging leaders who, as they advance in their careers, will foster connections between the global North and South and discover innovative solutions to tackle the climate crisis.

The AFC Fellowship is a partnership between Common Purpose and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC). This marks the third year of the AFC Fellowship, building upon the achievements of the previous two years. To date, more than 90 Fellows from various parts of the world have participated in the Fellowship.

The AFC fellowship 2025 for Young Africans

To become a part of the AFC Fellowship, the initial step is to gain acceptance into the Climate Challenge Leadership Programme. Successful candidates will join a cohort of 40 individuals from diverse backgrounds and sectors globally. The Climate Challenge Leadership Programme consists of two main components:

Leading Beyond Authority
You will be introduced to the Common Purpose thought leadership concept of ‘Leading Beyond Authority’ – the capacity to transcend boundaries and achieve results beyond your immediate sphere of influence. This is essential.

Climate Challenge
You will tackle the question, “How can the world reform carbon markets to encourage the preservation and expansion of forests, grasslands, peatlands, and mangroves in Africa and throughout the global South to achieve global net zero?”

Utilizing the Common Purpose ‘Innoventure’ process, which is grounded in design thinking principles, you will engage with the challenge in a creative and dynamic manner. The concluding phase of this process will involve you presenting your ideas to a panel of senior leaders regarding how to address the challenge.

The Fellows community
Upon successfully completing the programme, you will become a Fellow and will have the opportunity to connect and collaborate with Fellows from your cohort as well as those from previous years through Fellows gatherings.

Who is it for? AFC fellowship 2025 for Young Africans

Successful applicants will come from various sectors, backgrounds, countries, and communities throughout Africa, the broader global South, and the global North.

They will be:

Emerging leaders (generally possessing over 5 years of professional experience)
Highly motivated individuals demonstrating a commitment to fostering positive change, along with the ability to showcase their leadership potential and/or capabilities.
Capable of clearly articulating what they contribute to the programme challenge.
Engaged with climate issues and focused on addressing the disparities between the global North and South.

Why take part? AFC fellowship 2025 for Young Africans

• Participants will:
• Enhance their capacity to Lead Beyond Authority, preparing them to operate across boundaries, which is essential for addressing any complex problem.
• Cultivate new networks by engaging with a diverse array of participants, contributors, and speakers from both the global North and South, whom they would not typically encounter.
• Expand their analytical and creative abilities by introducing them to a novel approach to innovation.
• Refine their influencing skills by placing them in front of senior decision-makers to present their insights.
• Generate innovative ideas and strategies to tackle this critically important challenge.

Applications are now open – AFC fellowship 2025 for Young Africans

• The deadline for applicants is midnight BST on Sunday 21 September 2025
• We will be holding two information webinars where you can find out more about the Fellowship and discuss with us how it works. They will be held on 3 September at 11:00 BST and 9 September at 14:00 BST.
• If you would like to attend, please register using the link below:

  Webinar #1: 3 September 2025 – 11:00 London / 13:00 Nairobi / 11:00 Abuja / 15:30 Delhi / 18:00 Singapore

  Webinar #2: 9 September 2025 – 14:00 London / 16:00 Nairobi / 12:00 Abuja / 18:30 Delhi / 21:00 Singapore

Fellowship details: AFC fellowship 2025 for Young Africans

• Format: Online – the sessions take place live on Zoom. Resources and learning materials are provided via our online platform which is available 24/7.
• For details visit the official website
• Cost: There is no cost to participants as the Fellowship is funded by Africa Finance Corporation.
• Language: The Fellowship is conducted in English; participants must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• A full schedule is available here