YALI Regional Leadership Center, Accra, Ghana (Lagos Campus): My Experience

It really won't be nice not to let the world know what the Young African Leaders Initiative, an initiative of the U.S. Department of State, that was instituted by Former President Barack Obama, and continued by President Donald J. Trump, is doing in investing in the next generation of African leaders. Nearly 1 in 3 Africans are between the ages of 10 and 24, and approximately 60 percent of Africa’s total population is below the age of 35. Former President Obama launched YALI in 2010 to support young African leaders as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Young African Leaders Initiative, or YALI, is not just a fellowship, or an online community, or a place to go for regional leadership training. YALI is all three!

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is YALI’s flagship program, bringing African civic, business, and community leaders for academic coursework, leadership training, and networking at U.S. colleges and universities.

The four YALI Regional Leadership Centers provide in-person and online training throughout the year in business and entrepreneurship, civic leadership and public management. They also offer extensive opportunities for professional development and networking.

Through the YALI Network, young Africans can connect with other leaders in their community, and access free online courses in topics ranging from entrepreneurship to human rights and civic participation.

The Business and Entrepreneurship track caters to the range of emerging or aspiring entrepreneurs who expect to take on leadership roles within the private sector or build their own business ventures on the continent.

The Civic Society Management track is oriented to those who are or aspire to be civically engaged and serve the public through non-governmental organizations, community based organizations, or volunteerism.

Public Policy and Management track is tailored to those who work or aspire to work in any level of government (including elected positions), regional organizations such as the African Union or the West Africa Community, international organizations such as the United Nations, or other publicly minded organizations or think tanks.

Together with 114 young Africans from 9 different African countries, I participated in the YALI Regional Leadership Center West Africa, Accra (Lagos Campus). My track was Business and Entrepreneurship. It really was an amazing experience, sufficiently interesting and absolutely memorable.

I'll be sharing, subsequently, how each day was.

Enjoy!

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