CSEA 2026 Africa's Data Future Fellowship: US$1,500 Stipend for Emerging African Data Leaders

CSEA 2026 Africa's Data Future Fellowship

 

Apply for the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) 2026 Africa's Data Future Fellowship, a 3-month remote capacity-building programme for emerging leaders in African data governance. This fellowship offers a stipend of up to US$1,500 upon completion, bi-weekly virtual masterclasses with sector leaders, and access to a pan-African professional network. Ten fellows will be selected across Africa to explore themes including digital rights, data sharing, data sovereignty, and digital public infrastructure. Open to early-career professionals holding a postgraduate degree with at least one year of experience in social sciences, law, technology, or data policy. Fellows develop a policy brief and blog, then present their findings at a dedicated workshop. Delivered virtually in English and French, the programme starts in October 2026. Applicants must be from and resident in an African country.

Overview

Criteria	Details
Organiser	Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA)
Programme	Africa's Data Future Fellowship 2026
Stipend	Up to US$1,500
Fellows Selected	10 across Africa
Duration	3 months (from October 2026)
Mode	Virtual/Remote
Languages	English and French
Eligibility	African nationals resident in Africa
Deadline	18 September 2026

About the Fellowship

The 2026 Africa's Data Future Fellowship is a dynamic 3-month remote capacity-building programme designed for emerging leaders in the African data governance landscape. Organised by the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), the fellowship equips early-career professionals and changemakers with the knowledge, skills, and mentorship needed to influence data governance and digital transformation across the continent.

For the 2026 cohort, 10 fellows will be selected across Africa. Each fellow will develop a policy brief and a blog on one of the fellowship themes, then present their findings at a dedicated workshop.

If you're exploring capacity-building and academic opportunities for African professionals, you may also be interested in the University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars Program, which supports emerging African scholars.

Thematic Areas

The fellowship focuses on six key thematic areas shaping the future of data on the continent:

Theme	Focus
Digital Rights	Protecting rights in the digital ecosystem
Data Sharing	Frameworks for responsible data exchange
Data Value Chain	Maximising value across the data lifecycle
Digital Public Infrastructure	Building foundational digital systems
Regulatory Interoperability	Harmonising cross-border regulations
Data Sovereignty	Ensuring African control over African data

Fellowship Structure

Element	Details
Duration	3 months (starting October 2026)
Institutional Placement	Engagement with a relevant data/digital policy institution in fellow's country
Mode of Delivery	Virtual
Commitment	Bi-weekly virtual expert brainstorming sessions
Languages	English and French
Final Output	Policy brief + blog + workshop presentation

Fellowship Benefits

Benefit	Details
Stipend	Up to US$1,500 upon successful completion
Masterclasses	Bi-weekly virtual sessions with sector leaders
Visibility	Fellows' work featured on CSEA's platforms
Network	Access to a pan-African professional network

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the fellowship, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• ✅ Hold a postgraduate degree with at least one year of professional experience in social sciences, law, technology, data policy, or related fields
• ✅ Be from and resident in an African country
• ✅ Be currently working or professionally engaged in data governance, digital policy, Artificial Intelligence, technology, or related areas
• ✅ Commit at least 2 hours per week for the duration of the fellowship
• ✅ Have access to a reliable internet connection and a functional computer

Application Requirements

All applications must be submitted through the online system in English. Applicants are required to submit:

Document	Specification
Application Form	Completed online form
CV	Maximum 2 pages
Statement of Interest	Why you're interested in your chosen theme (max 300 words)
Problem Statement	A data governance/digitalisation challenge in your sub-region (max 300 words)
Writing Sample	Policy brief or research paper on data governance, AI, or digital policy

For other fellowship opportunities connecting African professionals to global institutions, consider the Chevening British Library Coptic Collections Fellowship and the Nordic Africa Institute Scholarships, both offering enriching research and professional development experiences.

How to apply ?

Resource	URL
Apply Now	Google Application Form
Official Webpage	CSEA Africa Fellowship Page