Applications are open for the 2026 Africa’s Data Future Fellowship, a paid three-month virtual programme designed for emerging African professionals and changemakers working in data governance, digital policy, artificial intelligence and technology.
Organised by the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), the programme will select 10 fellows from across Africa for its 2026 cohort.
Successful fellows can receive a stipend of up to US$1,500 upon completing the fellowship, alongside access to expert sessions, professional networking and opportunities to publish their work.
The fellowship begins in October 2026, and applications close on 18 September 2026.
About Africa’s Data Future Fellowship 2026
Africa’s Data Future Fellowship is a capacity-building programme focused on strengthening the next generation of African professionals working within the continent’s rapidly developing data and digital-policy ecosystem.
The programme combines training, mentorship, expert discussions and practical research.
Rather than requiring fellows to relocate, the fellowship is delivered virtually, making it accessible to eligible professionals residing across African countries.
Participants are expected to engage with important questions surrounding the governance, ownership, sharing and use of data across Africa.
The programme lasts three months and begins in October 2026.
Quick Fellowship Details
Programme: Africa’s Data Future Fellowship 2026
Organiser: Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA)
Duration: 3 months
Starting date: October 2026
Format: Virtual
Number of fellows: 10
Stipend: Up to US$1,500 upon successful completion
Languages: English and French
Weekly commitment: At least 2 hours
Eligibility: Applicants from and residing in African countries
Application deadline: 18 September 2026
Fellowship Themes
The 2026 programme will focus on six major areas shaping Africa’s digital future.
These are:
- Digital Rights
- Data Sharing
- Data Value Chain
- Digital Public Infrastructure
- Regulatory Interoperability
- Data Sovereignty
These themes address some of the increasingly important questions facing African governments, businesses, researchers, technology companies and civil society organizations as digital technologies become more important across the continent.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is designed for professionals already building careers connected to technology, data and public policy.
Applicants must hold a postgraduate degree and have at least one year of professional experience in areas such as:
- Social sciences
- Law
- Technology
- Data policy
- Related disciplines
Candidates must also be from and currently resident in an African country.
This makes the fellowship a continent-wide opportunity rather than one restricted to professionals from a small group of countries.
Professional Backgrounds Accepted
Applicants should currently be working or professionally engaged in areas such as:
- Data governance
- Digital policy
- Artificial intelligence
- Technology
- Related digital fields
Professionals can come from several sectors.
These include government institutions, private-sector organizations, research institutions, policy think tanks, universities and civil society organizations.
Professionals working within African technology startups can also qualify.
The fellowship specifically identifies startups operating in areas including:
- Fintech
- Edtech
- Healthtech
- Agritech
- Artificial intelligence
This creates opportunities for applicants whose professional backgrounds extend beyond traditional academic or government policy positions.
Other Eligibility Requirements
In addition to academic and professional qualifications, candidates should demonstrate an interest or experience in public-sector issues, data governance, digital policy, or technology.
Participants must be able to dedicate at least two hours per week to the programme.
Because the fellowship is virtual, candidates also need:
- Reliable internet access
- A functional computer
- Availability throughout the three-month fellowship period
Applicants should consider these requirements carefully before submitting an application.
$1,500 Fellowship Stipend
One of the major benefits of the programme is financial support.
Each fellow can receive a maximum stipend of US$1,500 upon successful completion of the fellowship.
Importantly, this should not be interpreted as a monthly salary of $1,500. The source describes it as a maximum stipend available upon successful completion of the programme.
Other Fellowship Benefits
Financial support is only one part of the programme.
Selected fellows will also receive access to:
- Bi-weekly virtual masterclasses
- Expert sessions with sector leaders
- Opportunities for their work to be featured on CSEA platforms
- A Pan-African professional network
These opportunities could be particularly useful for professionals interested in building careers around technology regulation, responsible AI, digital transformation and data governance.
What Will Fellows Do?
The programme combines learning with practical research and policy engagement.
Fellows will participate in bi-weekly virtual expert brainstorming sessions throughout the programme.
They will also be expected to engage with a relevant institution within their country’s data and digital-policy ecosystem.
This institutional engagement is intended to help participants disseminate findings from their fellowship work.
At the end of the programme, every fellow must produce:
A policy brief addressing one of the fellowship themes.
A blog article exploring an issue connected to their selected topic.
Fellows will then present their findings during a dedicated workshop.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit their applications through the online application system.
The selection process is competitive, and applications must be submitted in English.
Candidates are required to provide:
- A completed application form.
- A CV of no more than two pages.
- A statement of interest of no more than 300 words explaining their interest in their chosen fellowship thematic areas.
- A problem statement of no more than 300 words describing a data-governance or digitalisation challenge affecting their sub-region.
- A relevant writing sample.
The writing sample could be a policy brief or research paper covering data governance, artificial intelligence, digital policy, or another related subject.
Writing a Strong Statement of Interest
With only 10 fellowship positions available across Africa, applicants should make their statement of interest specific.
Rather than simply stating an interest in technology, candidates can explain how their professional experience connects with one or more fellowship themes.
For example, someone working in fintech might focus on digital public infrastructure, regulatory interoperability or data sharing.
A researcher working on artificial intelligence could connect their experience with digital rights, data sovereignty or governance.
The strongest applications are likely to demonstrate a clear connection between the applicant’s existing work, the fellowship theme and a real challenge affecting their country or sub-region.
Choosing Your Problem Statement
The application requires candidates to identify a data-governance or digitalisation challenge in their sub-region.
Potential areas could relate to issues such as:
- Responsible use of data
- Digital public infrastructure
- Cross-border data governance
- Digital rights
- AI governance
- Data sharing
- Technology regulation
- Data sovereignty
Applicants should remain within one of the fellowship’s stated thematic areas and explain the problem clearly within the 300-word limit.
Why This Fellowship Could Be Valuable
Africa’s digital economy is creating growing demand for professionals who understand both technology and public policy.
Issues surrounding artificial intelligence, digital identity, data protection, fintech and digital public infrastructure increasingly require professionals who can work across technology, research, government and policy.
The Africa’s Data Future Fellowship provides participants with an opportunity to strengthen these interdisciplinary skills while connecting with professionals from across the continent.
The programme’s virtual format also allows selected participants to continue their existing professional work while participating.
Important Dates
Applications for the fellowship close on:
18 September 2026
The three-month programme is expected to begin in:
October 2026
Applicants should prepare their CV, statement of interest, problem statement and writing sample before beginning their application.
Final Thoughts
The CSEA Africa’s Data Future Fellowship 2026 offers African professionals working in data governance, artificial intelligence, technology and digital policy an opportunity to strengthen their expertise through a structured three-month virtual programme.
Only 10 fellows will be selected from across Africa.
Participants will benefit from expert masterclasses, networking, opportunities to publish their work and a maximum US$1,500 stipend upon successful completion.
Eligible applicants must be from and resident in an African country, hold a postgraduate degree, and have at least one year of relevant professional experience.
Applications close on 18 September 2026.
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