Africa's Data Future Fellowship 2026 For Emerging Leaders (US$1,500 Stipends + Fully funded Virtual Masterclass)

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Applications are open for Africa’s Data Future Fellowship 2026. The 2026 Africa’s Data Future Fellowship, organised by the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), is a 3-month remote capacity-building programme for emerging leaders in the African data governance landscape.

The fellowship is aimed at professionals who want to deepen their understanding of the policies and systems shaping Africa’s digital future while connecting with experts and peers from across the continent.

Selected fellows will receive a US$1,500 stipend upon successful completion of the fellowship. The programme will also provide access to virtual masterclasses, professional networking and opportunities for fellows to be featured on CSEA’s platforms.

The Africa’s Data Future Fellowship is organised by CSEA, a Nigerian research and policy think tank focused on generating evidence to inform economic and development policy in Nigeria and Africa.

The 2026 fellowship will run for three months and will be delivered remotely, allowing selected participants from different African countries to participate without relocating.

Africa’s Data Future Fellowship Structure

The 2026 Africa’s Data Future Fellowship will focus on the following thematic areas:
- Digital Rights
- Data Sharing
- Data Value Chain
- Digital Public Infrastructure
- Regulatory Interoperability
Data Sovereignty
Fellowship duration: 3 months (Starting in October, 2026)
Institutional Placement: Fellows are expected to engage with a relevant institution within the data and digital policy ecosystem in their country during the fellowship period to disseminate the findings of their fellowship output
Mode of delivery: Virtual
Commitment: Bi-weekly virtual expert brainstorming sessions
Language: English and French

Fellowship Benefits

A stipend of US$1,500 maximum upon successful completion of the fellowship
Bi-weekly virtual masterclasses and expert sessions with sector leaders
Fellows’ work featured on CSEA’s platforms
Pan-African professional network

Expected Outcome

Upon completion of the fellowship, fellows are required to develop a detailed policy brief and a blog post on any of the fellowship’s thematic areas and present their work at a dedicated workshop.

Eligibility Criteria for Africa’s Data Future Fellowship

The 2026 Africa’s Data Future Fellowship is open to applicants who meet the following minimum criteria:

Hold a postgraduate degree and have at least one year of professional experience in social sciences, law, technology, data policy, or related fields
Be from, and resident in any African country
Be currently working or professionally engaged in data governance, digital policy, Artificial Intelligence, technology, or related areas within any of the following sectors: government institutions; private sector organisations; AI start-ups, including fintech, edtech, healthtech, agritech, and related ventures; research, policy think tanks, universities; and civil society organisations.
Demonstrate an interest in and/or experience in the public sector, data governance, digital policy, and/or technology as an added advantage.
Be willing and able to commit at least 2 hours per week for the duration of the fellowship.
Have access to a reliable internet connection and a functional computer for the duration of the fellowship.

Application and selection modality

The fellowship is granted through a competitive selection process based on applications submitted by eligible candidates. All applications must be submitted through the online application system and in English.

How To Apply for Africa’s Data Future Fellowship

Applicants are required to submit:

A completed application form
A CV (maximum 2 pages)
A statement of interest explaining why you are interested in your chosen fellowship thematic areas (maximum 300 words).
A problem statement outlining a data governance and digitalisation challenge in your sub-region related to any of the thematic areas highlighted above (maximum 300 words)
A writing sample, such as a policy brief or research paper, on data governance, Artificial Intelligence, digital policy, or a related topic.

Click Here To Apply

Application Deadline: 18 September, 2026