About the opportunity
The 2026 Africa’s Data Future Fellowship is a dynamic 3-month remote capacity-building program organized by the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA). Designed for early-career professionals and changemakers across Africa, the fellowship equips participants with the knowledge, skills, and mentorship needed to drive data governance and digital transformation across the continent. A total of 10 fellows will explore key themes including Digital Rights, Data Sharing, Data Value Chain, Digital Public Infrastructure, Regulatory Interoperability, and Data Sovereignty. Each fellow develops a policy brief and blog post, engages with a local ecosystem institution, and presents findings at a dedicated workshop.
Funding and benefits
- Stipend of up to US$1,500 awarded upon successful completion of the fellowship
- Bi-weekly virtual masterclasses and expert brainstorming sessions with sector leaders
- Fellows' research and outputs featured on CSEA's public platforms
- Access to a pan-African professional network in data governance and digital policy
Who can apply?
- Be a national of, and currently residing in, any African country
- Hold a postgraduate degree
- Possess at least one year of professional experience in social sciences, law, technology, data policy, or related fields
- Be actively working or engaged in data governance, digital policy, artificial intelligence, technology, or related fields in government, private sector, AI startups (fintech, edtech, healthtech, agritech), think tanks, academia, or civil society
- Demonstrate an interest and/or background in the public sector, data governance, digital policy, or technology
- Be able to commit at least 2 hours per week for the 3-month duration starting October 2026
- Have access to a functional computer and a reliable internet connection
- Proficiency in English or French (all applications must be submitted in English)
Required documents
- Completed online application form
- Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)
- Statement of interest explaining motivation for chosen fellowship thematic areas (maximum 300 words)
- Problem statement detailing a data governance or digitalization challenge in the applicant's sub-region related to fellowship themes (maximum 300 words)
- Writing sample such as a policy brief or research paper on data governance, AI, digital policy, or related topics
When to apply
- Application posted: September 4, 2026
- Application deadline: September 18, 2026
- Fellowship start date: October 2026
How to apply
- Review eligibility requirements and thematic focus areas
- Prepare all required application documents in English
- Access the official Google Form application link (https://forms.gle/MMzwpYcQzAQXRUnw9)
- Submit the completed form and upload supporting files before September 18, 2026
Additional information
- Delivery mode: 100% virtual/remote
- Institutional engagement: Fellows are expected to engage with a relevant institution in their country's digital policy ecosystem to disseminate findings
- Cohort size: Exactly 10 fellows will be selected across Africa
- Enquiries can be directed via email to info@cseaafrica.org
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Early-career professionals and changemakers holding a postgraduate degree and at least one year of professional experience in social sciences, law, technology, data policy, or related fields.
- Individuals who are nationals of and currently residing in any African country, actively engaged in data governance, digital policy, AI, or technology sectors.
- Candidates proficient in English or French who can commit at least two hours per week to a fully remote, three-month capacity-building program starting in October 2026.
What should you think carefully about?
- Applicants must commit to specific deliverables, including a policy brief, a blog post, local institutional engagement, and workshop presentation to receive the stipend of up to $1,500 upon successful completion.
- Candidates need a functional computer and a reliable internet connection to participate fully in the virtual masterclasses and expert brainstorming sessions.
- All applications must be submitted in English, including a statement of interest, a problem statement, a CV, and a writing sample.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This fellowship fits well into the plans of an emerging African professional looking to build specialized expertise in data governance, digital public infrastructure, and data sovereignty without interrupting their current local employment. By balancing a light time commitment of two hours per week with high-impact outputs like published research, expert mentorship, and access to a pan-African professional network, participants can effectively advance their policy careers and amplify their regional influence.
Our take
Early-career African professionals and researchers actively working in digital policy or data governance should seriously consider applying for this skill-building and networking opportunity. Those unable to commit to the required written outputs and local institutional engagement within the three-month timeframe may find it less suitable.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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