Empowering Africa’s Future: The WIA Young Leaders Program for Rising Female Changemakers

The WIA Young Leaders Program is a prestigious and fully funded initiative designed to empower Africa’s emerging female leaders. Now in its fourth edition, this high-impact program is organized by Women In Africa Philanthropy and supported by prominent partners including Dior, Lazard France, KPMG, and TotalEnergies. It aims to nurture a new generation of African women changemakers who demonstrate leadership, resilience, and a strong commitment to the continent’s socio-economic development (wia-initiative.com).

The program targets African women aged between 25 and 40, with some flexibility for exceptional candidates. Eligible applicants must be either born in Africa or have African parentage, and ideally be bilingual or multilingual. Beyond age and origin, the program looks for women who embody qualities such as humility, empathy, and resilience, and who have a clear vision and involvement in Africa’s development. Preference is given to self-made women capable of assuming high-level responsibilities and leadership roles (wia-initiative.com, opportunitiesforyouth.org).

Selected participants—typically ten outstanding women—embark on a tailored leadership development journey that includes specialized training in board governance, media skills, and career coaching. Each participant is paired with an international mentor to provide personalized guidance. A hallmark of the program is the immersive learning expedition, usually held in a major global economic capital such as Paris, where participants engage with CEOs, government ministers, journalists, and other influential figures. This business-focused trip offers invaluable networking opportunities and deepens leadership capabilities (wia-initiative.com, opportunitiesforyouth.org).

The selection process opens annually, with applications for the 2025 cycle accepted from May 19 to June 19. Candidates are rigorously evaluated based on their academic and professional achievements, leadership potential, and dedication to making a positive impact. After an initial review, shortlisted candidates face interviews conducted by an international jury of experts. The final cohort is publicly announced in September, celebrating the achievements and promise of these young African women leaders (wia-initiative.com, opportunitiesforafricans.com).

Following their selection, the new WIA Young Leaders participate in the learning expedition toward the end of the year, typically between November and December. This exclusive trip broadens their perspectives, enhances their professional networks, and equips them with tools to drive meaningful change in their communities and across the continent (wia-initiative.com, opportunitiesforyouth.org).

The program’s impact is evident in its alumni network of over 30 women who have gone on to influential roles in consulting, public sector organizations like the UNFPA, entrepreneurship, research, and education. Many credit the program with expanding their networks, securing strategic partnerships, and gaining international recognition through media exposure (wia-initiative.com).

In summary, the WIA Young Leaders Program is a transformative opportunity for African women poised to lead across sectors. By combining leadership training, mentorship, high-level networking, and global visibility, it equips participants to become powerful agents of change in Africa’s ongoing development.

Interested candidates should prepare to apply before the June 19, 2025 deadline and can find more information and application details on the official WIA Young Leaders webpage (wia-initiative.com).