AFLI Archbishop Tutu Fellowship Programme 2027 for Emerging Young African Leaders (Fully Funded)

 

AFLI Archbishop Tutu Fellowship Programme

Apply for the 2027 African Leadership Institute (AFLI) Archbishop Tutu Fellowship Programme, a fully funded leadership opportunity for emerging young African leaders aged 30-39. Offered since 2006, this flagship programme nurtures Africa's most promising talents through leadership learning activities that enhance experiences, insights, tools, and confidence. Approximately 25 fellows are selected annually to join an elite network of high-potential young Africans expected to rise to top leadership positions over the next 5-10 years. The fellowship operates through a nomination-first process—direct applications are not accepted. Nominators submit candidate details, AFLI reviews nominations, and eligible candidates receive access to the official application. No login or account is required to submit a nomination. The Class of 2027 will be announced in January 2027. Nominations close September 20, 2026, at midnight Johannesburg time. Don't miss this transformative leadership opportunity to become a driver of positive change across Africa.

Overview

Criteria	Details
Programme	Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship
Organizer	African Leadership Institute (AFLI)
Available Slots	Approximately 25 fellows
Age Requirement	30-39 years
Application Type	Nomination-first (no direct applications)
Funding	Fully Funded
Nominations Close	September 20, 2026 (Midnight Johannesburg time)
Class Announcement	January 2027

About the African Leadership Institute (AFLI)

The African Leadership Institute (AFLI) is dedicated to nurturing and enhancing leadership capability across Africa, with particular focus on the continent's most promising young leaders. AFLI's mission is to create a network of high-potential young Africans who, having completed its programmes, are expected to rise to top leadership positions in their respective fields over the next 5-10 years and actively contribute to positive change across the continent.

AFLI achieves this vision through its flagship programme, the Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship, which has been offered since 2006. The programme provides leadership learning activities that enhance selected candidates' experiences, insights, tools, and confidence, while building a support network that empowers them to become drivers of Africa's transformation.

For other prestigious opportunities designed for young African talents, explore the ARCGSSP Scholarship Programme for Africans, which offers valuable academic funding.

Programme Benefits

Benefit	Description
Full Funding	Complete financial coverage for the fellowship
Leadership Development	Structured learning activities and workshops
Elite Network	Access to a network of high-potential African leaders
Mentorship	Guidance from experienced leaders and experts
Skills Enhancement	Tools, insights, and confidence-building
Continental Impact	Platform to drive transformation across Africa

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the Archbishop Tutu Fellowship Programme, candidates must meet the following criteria:

Requirement	Details
Age	Between 30-39 years of age
Nomination	Must be nominated to gain access to apply
Nomination Count	Only one nomination is necessary
Application Method	Direct applications are NOT accepted
Nationality	African emerging leaders

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Emerging young African leader with high potential
• Demonstrated leadership capability in their field
• Expected to rise to top leadership positions within 5-10 years
• Committed to contributing to positive change in Africa
• Active engagement in their sphere of activity

Nomination Procedure

The fellowship operates through a nomination-first process. The procedure is straightforward:

Step	Action
Step 1	A nominator submits the candidate's details
Step 2	AFLI reviews all nominations
Step 3	Eligible nominated candidates receive access to the official fellowship application
Step 4	Final fellows are selected through a rigorous competitive process

Important: No login or account is required to submit a nomination. This makes the nomination process accessible and simple for nominators.

If you're passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship alongside leadership, you may also be interested in the Pitch Perfect Africa Innovation Fellowship.

For researchers and academics seeking additional opportunities, the AfricaLics Visiting PhD Fellowship for African Students provides excellent academic advancement options.

Official Links

Resource	URL
Official Webpage	https://tutufellows.africa/
Programme Details	https://tutufellows.africa/programme
African Leadership Institute	https://alinstitute.org/
Age Eligibility Check	https://tutufellows.africa/programme