Join Archbishop Tutu Fellowship Programme 2025 for Young African Leaders

As AFLI’s flagship leadership development programme, the Tutu Leadership Fellowship Programme welcomes an elite group of Africa’s highest potential young leaders, representing a wide range of sectors. 

Application Deadline: 16th September 2024.

Eligible Countries: African countries

To be taken at (country): South Africa. Other locations will be split between Oxford University and London (UK)

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About the Archbishop Tutu Fellowship Programme: Applications are now open for the 2025 African Leadership Institute (AFLI) Archbishop Tutu Fellowship Programme. The flagship programme of the Institute is the Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship Programme (ATLP).

Each year, around 25 high-potential individuals from across Africa are awarded the prestigious Archbishop Tutu Fellowship, following a rigorous, competitive selection process. The awards are aimed at the cream of the continent’s future leaders, as indicated by the demanding selection criteria below, specifically targeting the next generation of Africa’s leaders in all sectors of society, between the ages of 30 and 40.

The ATLP is a multi-faceted leadership learning experience, whose focus is African leadership in a Global context. It is a 5-month part-time programme run in partnership with Oxford University’s Said Business School. The world class faculty and guest speakers are drawn from both Africa and outside, and the programme incorporates modules in Africa and at Oxford, reflecting the African/Global duality of the leadership that will be required of future African leaders. Over the thirteen years since its inception the ATLP has established itself as arguably the foremost leadership programme designed specifically for high potential African leaders in the 30-40 age range.

Type: Fellowship

Who can apply?

• Candidates of the Archbishop Tutu Leadership Programme (ATLP) will be between 30 and 40 years of age.  They must be older than 30 on 30 April 2025 and younger than 40 years on 30 April 2025.
• Candidates can come from any sector of society – business, government or civil society.
• The Fellowships are limited to a maximum of fewer than 20 selected participants who will be chosen by panels of selectors from the accepted nominated individuals from across Africa.
• The selected candidates will attend workshops in South Africa and Oxford, UK, and it is obligatory that they commit to being available for the full period of both workshops.
• They should also be prepared to commit time out of normal work hours to tasks required to be completed between the two workshops.
• The selected candidates will be joined on the programme by candidates nominated by the sponsors.

Selection Criteria: In terms of selection criteria, AFLI emphasizes integrity, strong values and responsibility, courage and a demonstrated ability to lead and inspire. A candidate must demonstrate a commitment to Africa and to serving the greater community. We seek leaders not managers.

 Candidates nominated and selected for the programme must demonstrate many of the following characteristics:

• Ability to Inspire others to believe in themselves and the cause; to liberate and empower others to succeed
• Committed to serving their constituency (stakeholders/cause) and community, ahead of self-gratification
• Confident, optimistic, with high expectations and high energy
• Courage to take risks – be prepared to fail; challenge the status quo; do things that may be unpopular
• Determination and strong professional will
• High values, standards and ethics
• Humility – chosen to lead rather than a self-imposed leader
• Visionary, strategic and forward thinking – leading for a better future
• Systemic thinker – ability to assimilate, simplify and channel complex inter-connected forces to advantage
• Empathy and a strong relationship builder

Selection Process: Only once candidates have been nominated, may they submit an application to AFLI.

Number of Awardees: 20

Value of Fellowship: 

• Entry into awards
• Thought-leadership and speaking opportunities
• Advocacy opportunities
• Networking opportunities and network memberships
• Access to projects, causes and campaigns
• Collaborating with like-minded peers on projects
• Job opportunities
• Pan-African exposure
• Attendance of multi-country meetings
• Leadership of, and participation in, multi-country organisations and projects
• International exposure
• Opportunities for ongoing debate and knowledge-exchange
• Profiling in the media
• Peer to Peer accountability
• Selected as board members or trustees to high profile companies/organisations

Duration of Fellowship: 1 year

Timeline:

How to Apply for Archbishop Tutu Fellowship Programme: Apply here. Candidates can also be nominated. 

Visit Fellowship Webpage for details