The Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) is inviting applications for the 2025 Africa’s Data Future Fellowship, a three-month, fully virtual capacity-building programme for early-career professionals, researchers, and changemakers across Africa. The fellowship will strengthen the capacity of future leaders in data governance and digital transformation across the continent.
Selected fellows will receive mentorship, professional exposure, and the opportunity to contribute to regional policy discussions through the development and presentation of a policy brief. For the 2025 cohort, five fellows will be selected, one from each African sub-region. The programme will be delivered in English and French, and Francophone applicants with intermediate proficiency in English are strongly encouraged to apply.
You can also Apply for the McKinsey Young Leaders Program (YLP) Fellow
Host Country
Virtual (Fellows will participate remotely from their home countries)
Application Deadline
30 July 2025
Eligibility Criteria for the Africa’s Data Future Fellowship
- Hold a postgraduate degree in social sciences, law, technology, data policy, or related fields.
- Have at least one year of professional experience in relevant sectors,
- Reside in or represent one of Africa’s sub-regions: North, West, East, Central, or Southern Africa.
- Demonstrate interest and experience in data governance, digital policy, or technology innovation.
- Have intermediate English proficiency (Francophone applicants),
- Be able to commit at least two hours per week for the duration of the fellowship,
- Have access to a reliable internet connection and a functional computer.
Fellowship Structure
- Duration: Three months, starting mid-August 2025,
- Mode of Delivery: Fully virtual,
- Commitment: Bi-weekly expert-led virtual brainstorming sessions,
- Languages: English and French,
- Geographic Representation: One fellow will be selected per African sub-region.
- Thematic Focus Areas:
- Data Sharing,
- Ethical Data Stewardship,
- Digital Public Infrastructure,
- Interoperability Standards and APIs,
- AI Governance and Responsible Innovation,
- Cross-Border Data Flows.
Benefits of the Africa’s Data Future Fellowship
- A stipend of $1,500 upon successful completion,
- Access to virtual masterclasses and expert sessions with sector leaders,
- Opportunity to publish and present a policy brief,
- Fellows’ work featured on CSEA’s platforms,
- Membership in a Pan-African professional network.
African Futures Lab AfaRise Fellowship for African Changemakers
Expected Outcome
By the end of the fellowship, each fellow is expected to:
- Develop a policy brief addressing a key data governance challenge in their sub-region.
- Present their findings at a final virtual workshop hosted by CSEA.
How to Apply for the Data Future Fellowship
Applicants must submit the following:
- A completed application form,
- A two-page CV,
- A statement of interest (maximum 200 words),
- A problem statement on a data governance challenge in their sub-region related to the thematic areas (maximum 300 words),
- A writing sample, such as a policy brief or research paper.
Apply for the 2025 Africa’s Data Future Fellowship
Enquiries may be directed to: enquiries@cseaafrica.org.
Selection will be based on merit through a competitive process.
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: 30 July 2025,
- Fellowship Start Date: Mid-August 2025.
This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to shape Africa’s digital and policy future while gaining hands-on experience in high-impact areas of data governance.
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