Scholarship Overview
Overview
The 2026 Africa’s Data Future Fellowship is a competitive remote programme designed to build the next generation of African leaders in data governance and digital transformation. Organised by the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), this fellowship selects 10 fellows from across the continent for intensive capacity-building, mentorship, and policy development.
For applicants from Zimbabwe and the SADC region, this represents a significant opportunity to engage with continental data policy discussions while remaining based in your home country. The programme specifically values diverse sectoral perspectives—including government, private sector, civil society, and academia.
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What the Fellowship Covers
The fellowship provides substantial professional development support:
- Financial support: Stipend of up to US$1,500 upon successful completion
- Expert access: Bi-weekly virtual masterclasses with sector leaders
- Publication platform: Fellows’ work featured on CSEA’s established platforms
- Network building: Access to a pan-African professional network of data governance practitioners
- Institutional placement: Structured engagement with relevant data/digital policy institutions in your country
Programme Structure and Timeline
The fellowship runs for 3 months starting October 2026. Key structural elements include:
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- Duration: October–December 2026 (3 months)
- Delivery mode: Fully virtual
- Time commitment: Minimum 2 hours per week
- Core activities: Bi-weekly virtual expert brainstorming sessions
- Languages: English and French
- Cohort size: 10 fellows selected across Africa
Thematic Focus Areas
Fellows must work within one of six designated themes:
- Digital Rights
- Data Sharing
- Data Value Chain
- Digital Public Infrastructure
- Regulatory Interoperability
- Data Sovereignty
Required Outputs
Successful completion requires producing:
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- A detailed policy brief on your chosen thematic area
- A blog post communicating findings to broader audiences
- Presentation of your work at a dedicated closing workshop
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all minimum criteria:
- Education: Postgraduate degree (Masters or equivalent) with at least one year of professional experience in social sciences, law, technology, data policy, or related fields
- Residency: Must be from and resident in any African country
- Current engagement: Actively working in data governance, digital policy, artificial intelligence, or technology within one of these sectors:
- Government institutions
- Private sector organisations
- AI start-ups (fintech, edtech, healthtech, agritech, etc.)
- Research institutions, policy think tanks, or universities
- Civil society organisations
- Advantage: Demonstrated interest or experience in public sector, data governance, digital policy, and/or technology
- Commitment: Able to dedicate minimum 2 hours weekly for the full 3-month period
- Technical requirements: Reliable internet connection and functional computer
Note for Zimbabwean applicants: Your current employment in any of the eligible sectors—whether in public service, private sector, civil society, or academia—qualifies you if you meet the postgraduate and experience requirements.
Application Documents
Prepare these materials before accessing the online system:
- Completed application form (submitted through online portal)
- Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)
- Statement of interest (maximum 300 words): Explain your motivation and why you selected your thematic area(s)
- Problem statement (maximum 300 words): Outline a specific data governance or digitalisation challenge in your sub-region related to one of the six thematic areas
- Writing sample: Previous policy brief or research paper on data governance, artificial intelligence, digital policy, or related topic
All documents must be submitted in English.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process
- Prepare your documents: Draft and refine your CV, statement of interest, problem statement, and confirm your writing sample meets requirements.
- Select your thematic area: Choose one of the six focus areas that aligns with your expertise and the problem you wish to address.
- Access the application portal: Visit https://forms.gle/MMzwpYcQzAQXRUnw9
- Complete all fields: Fill the online form comprehensively; incomplete applications are typically disqualified.
- Upload required documents: Attach CV, statement, problem statement, and writing sample as specified.
- Review and submit: Verify all information before final submission—editing may not be possible after submission.
- Confirmation: Ensure you receive submission confirmation; contact [email protected] if issues arise.
Selection Process
Fellowships are awarded through a competitive selection process based on application quality. CSEA evaluates:
- Relevance of professional background to data governance
- Clarity and significance of proposed problem statement
- Quality of writing sample and analytical capacity
- Potential for policy impact in applicant’s country/sub-region
- Commitment to complete fellowship requirements
With only 10 places available across Africa, applications demonstrating concrete, locally-grounded policy problems and strong writing credentials will be most competitive.
Important Dates
| Application deadline | 18 September 2026 |
| Fellowship start | October 2026 |
| Programme duration | 3 months |
Contact and Enquiries
For questions not addressed in this guide, contact: [email protected]
