UC Davis Global Affairs has welcomed 202 young African leaders from 38 countries through the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, hosting the fellowship since 2016. The flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), the Mandela Washington Fellowship empowers young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking opportunities.

The fellowship provides these outstanding young leaders with the opportunity to hone their skills at U.S. institutions—such as UC Davis—with support for professional development after they return home.