The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). The program advances U.S. engagement with Africa by connecting emerging leaders from across Sub-Saharan Africa with American institutions, businesses, communities, and professional networks.
From 2016 to 2025, UC Davis welcomed 226 Mandela Washington Fellows from 39 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa. Working alongside UC Davis faculty, regional businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders, Fellows engaged in academic coursework, professional exchange, and leadership development while building lasting relationships with American institutions and communities. These collaborations strengthened U.S.-Africa partnerships, expanded professional networks, and generated meaningful benefits for the university, local organizations, and the communities they serve.
