Call for Applications: African Academy for Women in Political Leadership

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the African School of Governance (ASG), the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), today opened applications for the inaugural cohort of the African Academy for Women in Political Leadership, a continental programme designed to build the next generation of women who govern Africa.

Thirty women will be selected for a fully funded, four-week blended programme combining virtual learning with a residential convening in Kigali. Nominations are now open to government institutions, political parties, AU member state bodies, and civil society organisations across all five African regions.

Why the Academy

Africa’s political representation of women remains critically low. Where women do hold office, they often navigate systems that were not designed with their leadership in mind. The African Academy for Women in Political Leadership was built to change that — by equipping women leaders with the skills, networks, and strategic resources required to lead, govern, and shape reform agendas at the highest levels.

The Academy is anchored in African leadership and ownership, and is positioned as a continental public good. It builds on the curriculum framework developed and validated through an inclusive co-design process held in Kigali in October 2025.

What Participants Will Experience

The four-week blended programme combines high-impact virtual learning, an immersive residential convening, mentorship from senior African leaders, and applied leadership practice. The curriculum covers:

• Political leadership and governance
• Strategic communications
• Coalition-building and legislative processes
• Campaign and political financing
• Ethical leadership and inclusive governance

All programme costs, including tuition, travel, and accommodation for the residential convening, are fully covered for selected participants.

Who Should Apply

Applications are open to women who are currently holding, or credibly pursuing, elected or appointed political office anywhere in Africa. Eligible profiles include:

• Electoral Cycle Leaders: Women from countries scheduled for presidential or parliamentary elections within the next 12–36 months, including declared candidates, parliamentary candidates, senior campaign strategists, and MPs seeking re-election or higher office.
• Sitting Political Leaders: Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament or Senate, Speakers and Deputy Speakers, Mayors and Governors, and senior political party leaders such as Secretaries General and Women’s League Leaders.
• Young Women Leaders: Women aged 21–35 with strong political leadership potential, including aspiring candidates at the local and national level and emerging leaders within political parties or public institutions.

The Academy strongly encourages nominations of women with disabilities and women from fragile or transitional political contexts.

Baseline Eligibility

• Female citizen of an African Union Member State
• Aged 21 or older at the time of nomination
• Demonstrated active engagement in political leadership or political ambition
• Formal endorsement from a government institution, recognised political party, NGO or relevant stakeholder
• Commitment to full participation in the programme and to post-Academy alumni engagement and peer mentoring

Selection: Merit-Based and Continentally Balanced

The 30 participants will be selected through a competitive, merit-based review by a joint panel comprising UNDP, the AUC, AWLN, and ASG. Selection is designed to ensure fairness, regional balance, political inclusivity, and strategic impact across the continent.

The inaugural cohort will reflect:

• Representation from all five African regions, with a maximum of two participants per country
• At least 60% of participants from countries facing elections within 12–36 months
• At least 40% young women leaders aged 21–35
• Linguistic diversity across Anglophone, Francophone, Lusophone, and Arabophone Africa
• Balance between executive, legislative, and party leadership roles, and between ruling and opposition parties

How to Apply

Government ministries, political parties, AU member state institutions, and civil society organisations are invited to submit nominations. Self-nominations supported by an institutional endorsement are also welcome.

Each nomination package must include:

• An official nomination or endorsement letter, signed by an authorised senior official, political party leader, NGO or recognised stakeholder
• The nominee’s curriculum vitae (maximum two pages)
• A personal statement from the nominee (maximum 1,000 words)

Africa’s next generation of women political leaders starts here. Apply online: Submit your application

Deadline for applications: 15 May 2026

Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. Only selected nominees will be contacted directly with further information regarding participation.