Preparing Africa’s youth to meet the continent’s future challenges is essential to ensure Africa’s sustainable development.
The launch of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) in 2010 by President OBAMA follows this logic of empowering young people to facilitate their contribution to the emergence of a better Africa.
With the support of USAID and the MasterCard Foundation, this program is implemented in four regional leadership centers in South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, and Senegal.
The African Center for Advanced Management Studies (Prime) and its partners, Synapse and the West African Research Center, are responsible for executing the program in West Africa, offering three specialized tracks: Business Entrepreneurship, Civic Leadership, and Public Management.
Business & Entrepreneurship
Designed and implemented by Synapse, the Business & Entrepreneurship program targets emerging entrepreneurs or aspiring entrepreneurs who wish to take on leadership roles in the private sector or start their own businesses on the continent. The main objective of the program is to raise awareness among young entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs that they are key actors in shaping their own future and that numerous opportunities are available to them. These include the possibility of creating their own ventures, achieving professional fulfillment, generating economic and social wealth, creating jobs, and, in doing so, contributing to building their communities, their countries, and Africa.
Program Odyssey
Learning
approaches
Hybrid training
Online training
Classroom training (Hybrid approach)
Retreat
The retreat is an activity that marks the official start of face-to-face training.
Gathered for a common purpose, these young people create, through these moments of introspection, self-discovery and sharing, the first contact with the environment but also with their peers. In this way, various activities and spaces served as a framework for expression, exchange and practical application for the participants.
Pedagogical expedition
Following the retreat, the pedagogical expedition enables participants to step out of their comfort zones, habits and usual contexts, in order to explore and learn from a new and relevant experience related to their current challenges. Educational expeditions also help to build relationships with key stakeholders and to see things in a systemic way.
Community service project
The idea behind this activity is to get young leaders to understand that the challenge is no longer just to create a business to generate income, but also to meet the challenges identified in society. Participants implement projects in the agribusiness, education/training, environment and crafts sectors, among others, in order to provide solutions and contribute to improving people’s living conditions.
Pedagogical outing
In addition to the educational expeditions, participants take part in company immersion activities on field trips. Through contact with the managers of these host structures, they will learn from their experiences and discuss issues related to entrepreneurship. During these activities, the leaders receive advice and guidance on their business projects from the managers of the host companies.
Jury
The jury is the activity that marks the end of the Business & Entrepreneurship training sessions. Divided into several juries according to their sector, the entrepreneurs present their projects to a panel of judges after three intensive weeks of training. Jury members assess the relevance, sustainability and impact of the young leaders’ initiatives, before offering advice and suggestions for the next stage of their entrepreneurial adventure.
Networking
Throughout the course, participants are invited to strengthen their network through various activities. This networking goes beyond the training, with the integration of alumni from their respective countries and the creation of links between participants from different sessions.
Online training
Orientation session
The orientation session, the course’s only synchronous activity, is designed to help participants get to grips with the platform, understand the training methodology and make contact with their peers.
Leadership
The orientation session is followed by 3 weeks of leadership training. Participants are introduced to the concept of leadership, system thinking and communication skills.
Business & Entrepreneurship
BE training enables participants to draw up their personal action plan, understand entrepreneurship in the African context and the typical profile of the African entrepreneur, design their entrepreneurial project and learn the fundamentals of running a business.
Evaluation
Participants assess their level at the start and end of each Business and Entrepreneurship training module. These assessments enable them to measure the evolution of their level after completing the training.
Tutoring
Tutors provide support to participants, creating an environment conducive to peer learning and collaboration. They contribute to the creation of a framework that enables participants to break down the barriers of distance and develop their network, beyond their borders, while remaining at home.
Networking
Throughout the course, participants are invited to strengthen their network through various activities. This networking goes beyond the training, with the integration of alumni from their respective countries and the creation of links between participants from different sessions.
For more information on the program, download the one pager.
Tangible impact and prospects
Since its launch, the YALI program has impacted thousands of young people across Africa, giving them the tools and skills they need to transform their communities. Discover the scale of this initiative in figures!
20+
Country
1740+
Recipients
220+
Community service
projects
950+
Entreprises
YALI is also
The program offers training in a choice of three streams: Business and Entrepreneurship, Civic Leadership and Public Management. The training also aims to provide participants with cross-disciplinary leadership skills.
Public Management
This program is designed for those working or aspiring to work in governments, regional organizations such as the African Union, or international institutions such as the UN. It offers exposure to public management models and best practices, while strengthening participants' technical and leadership skills.
Civic Leadership
This program is geared towards those who are or aspire to be civically engaged and to give back to the public through non-governmental organizations, community organizations, or by volunteering. It familiarizes participants with the meaning of civic leadership, while strengthening their technical capabilities.
Power Africa
Power Africa, launched by Obama in 2013, supports access to reliable, sustainable energy in Africa to foster economic growth. In collaboration with the LRC, the initiative trains young women in the energy sector in leadership, in line with YALI DAKARA's goal of promoting governance, prosperity and peace in Africa.
Past participants’ stories
Dive into the heart of our training program through the inspiring testimonials of those who have lived it. Each story reflects a unique journey, challenges met and opportunities seized. These participants share their experience, their transformation and the impetus they received to realize their ambitions. Their success is our greatest achievement.
Pascal ANGO— Gabon
Israël Odjanabaye, Tchad
Marièm Seydou Wone — Mauritanie
Agassi Nadège AHIDE, Bénin
Partners
