US Vice President Kamala Harris has announced plans to work with Congress to fund an additional $100 million government investment in the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).
The announcement was made by VP Harris at the recent US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C.
USAID will establish the Young African Leaders Exchange, the first pan-African virtual platform, in collaboration with partners. This will allow the Diaspora and other key stakeholders to connect directly with nearly 28,000 YALI alumni from 49 Sub-Saharan countries since the program’s inception in 2010.
A well-intended action
The Exchange promotes networking, strengthens women’s and marginalized youth leadership, highlights initiatives, strengthens the role of mentors and coaches, and assists young African leaders in obtaining grants or internships.
YALI will be able to train and mentor more young African men and women in leadership roles as a result of the additional funding, resulting in transformational change for the continent as a whole.
Furthermore, with these funds, YALI will be able to mobilize the private sector, the African Diaspora, and governments to advance social inclusion, gender equality, digital connectivity, business and entrepreneurship, and public administration and civic leadership among young African leaders.
The additional funding will also allow for the first pan-African YALI Alumni Expo and Trade Show, which will highlight alumni innovations and strengthen alumni connections with professionals from business, civil society, government, and the diaspora.
YALI’s Background
The United States‘ signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders is the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). It was launched in 2010 and has provided Africans with skills that have changed their lives and enabled them to address challenges in communities and countries throughout the African continent.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is YALI’s flagship program, bringing African civic, business, and community leaders to U.S. colleges and universities for academic coursework, leadership training, and networking.
Another example is the YALI Regional Leadership Centers (RLCs), which have four (4) locations and offer in-person and online training in business and entrepreneurship, civic leadership, and public management throughout the year. They also provide opportunities for professional growth and networking.
Another program that provides free tools and resources to help young African leaders develop the skills and connections they need to be a positive force for change in their communities is the YALI Network.
