About this opportunity
The Obama Foundation opens the 2027/2028 round of Leaders Africa, an eight month, hybrid leadership journey for 35 leaders from across the African continent. The programme focuses on exploring values based leadership skills and building deep relationships with fellow cohort members, and participants join the Obama Leadership Network after the programme ends.
The foundation is direct about the money: there is none. Its FAQ states that Leaders will not be paid a stipend, that participants selected for the programme incur no fees, and that the Obama Foundation does not offer grants or other types of financial support for selected participants' work.
The value is the cohort, the curriculum and the network.
Eligibility
is continental. The programme invites individuals residing in all nations and territories on the continent, and applicants must be living in the region for the duration of the programme while meeting one of four tests: citizen of an eligible country, permanent resident of an eligible country, a refugee or asylum seeker in an eligible nation or territory, or having lived in an eligible country for at least the last five years.
Applicants must be between 24 and 45 years of age on 1 September 2027, demonstrate at least three years of relevant experience in their issue area, be professionally proficient in English, and show a strong commitment to continue focusing their work in Africa. Timing matters on this round.
Applications opened on 9 November 2026 and close December 4, 2026 at 12:00 PM United States Central Time, and the FAQ strongly encourages applicants to submit by the priority
Application timeline
of 23 November 2026. Applications submitted after the priority
Application timeline
are reviewed as space allows, while late or incomplete applications are not considered. Participants are expected to attend consistently and should not miss more than four sessions across the eight months to keep their status as an Obama Leader, and those accepted refrain from standing in an electoral campaign from acceptance through 1 May 2028.
Applications run through the foundation's Submittable portal.
What you receive
- An eight-month hybrid leadership journey with a cohort of 35 leaders from across the African continent
- Values-based leadership training and deep relationships with fellow cohort members
- No participation fees, with ongoing engagement in the Obama Leadership Network after the programme ends
Who can apply
- Individuals residing in all nations and territories on the African continent
- Citizen of an eligible country, permanent resident of an eligible country, a refugee or asylum seeker in an eligible nation or territory, or resident there for at least the last 5 years
- Between 24 and 45 years of age on 1 September 2027
- At least 3 years of relevant experience in your issue area and professional proficiency in English
- A strong commitment to continue focusing your work in Africa, and access to a computer with a camera and reliable internet
- Accepted leaders refrain from participating in an electoral campaign as a candidate for political office from acceptance through 1 May 2028
Who should not apply
- No stipend is paid and the foundation offers no grants or financial support for participants' work
Documents to prepare
- References are required for the application, per the foundation FAQ
How to apply
- Open the Leaders Africa page and start the application on the foundation Submittable portal
- Complete the form before the priority deadline of 23 November 2026 where possible
- Submit the full application by 4 December 2026 at 12:00 PM United States Central Time
Sources and verification
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Questions applicants ask
Is there a stipend for Obama Foundation Leaders Africa?
No. The FAQ states Leaders will not be paid a stipend and that the foundation does not offer grants or financial support for participants' work, though there are no fees to take part.
Can I apply after the priority deadline?
Yes. Applications missing the 23 November 2026 priority deadline can still be submitted until 4 December 2026 at 12:00 PM U.S. Central Time and are reviewed as space allows, but late or incomplete applications are not considered.
Important disclaimer
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