
Training Africa’s Next Generation of Political & Civic Leaders
If emerging young politicians and civic leaders are equipped with political knowledge, ethical grounding, strategic tools, and supportive networks, then they will be able to navigate political systems more effectively, ethically, and inclusively, leading to increased youth representation, improved governance practices, and stronger democratic institutions across Africa.

Facilitated by Nobel Laureates, Presidents, and global leaders
Empowering Leaders to Ignite Change
"Building Emerging Young Politicians and Civic Leaders Advancing ethical, accountable, and people-centered leadership across Africa"
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The Young Political Leadership School Africa (YPLS-Africa) is a program that contributes to the formation of a new generation of character-driven political and socially active leaders that would be accountable, responsive, and accessible to the needs and interests of their citizens and help to shape the future of their respective countries in the positive direction. Over the course of one year, fellows engage in a series of theoretical and interactive exercises to develop their knowledge and skills to play greater leadership roles in political affairs.
The program includes the following:
One-week Professional Development Training: Fellows participate in a week-long training to enhance their skills in planning, organizing, and implementing political campaign events, strengthen their leadership, management, communication, and networking skills, etc.
Practicum: Post-Program Civic and Political Action:
After the convening, participants return to their countries and communities to implement civic and political engagement activities. These include policy dialogues, town hall meetings, debates, media and radio programs, civic education initiatives, digital engagement campaigns, and participation in grassroots political and civic processes.
This phase ensures learning translates into visible action and community impact.
Mentorship, Internship, Alumni Engagement, and Leadership Support :
Participants are connected to mentorship and legislative internship opportunities, alumni networks, and leadership support platforms that promote continued growth and ethical public service. Through peer learning, mentorship, and alumni engagement, YPLS Africa strengthens long-term leadership readiness and democratic impact, with targeted support for women leaders.
Pan-African Participation:
YPLS Africa draws participants from across the African continent, fostering cross-country learning, collaboration, and a shared commitment to ethical leadership, civic responsibility, and democratic governance.
“A decade of building leadership capacity and democratic impact across Africa.”
YPLSA 2025 FELLOW SPOTLIGHT
PREVIOUS SPEAKERS & FACILITATORS
Our fellows listen to leaders to drive their passion.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS
YPLS Africa is a leadership development program that combines political education, practical engagement, and sustained leadership support to build emerging young politicians and civic leaders across Africa.
1. One-Week Leadership and Political Education Convening
Participants take part in an intensive one-week leadership convening focused on the realities of political
and civic leadership in Africa today.
Learning is organized around four thematic areas:
Democratic Governance, Ethics, and Integrity
Building values-based leadership, accountability, and public trust in democratic institutions.
Political Participation, Power, and Leadership Pathways
Supporting young leaders to move from participation into real decision-making roles, while strengthening emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and leadership maturity.
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Featured Blog Post
Hall of Fame
Our leaders are driving positive change
in their diverse fields

Satta Fatumata Sheriff
Human Rights Advocacy
A Liberian Human Rights Activist, Founder and Executive Director Action for Justice.
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100 Most Influential Young Africans: 2020

Godbless Otubure
Political & Public Sector
2019 Mandela Washington Fellow, Founder, and President of ReadyToLeadAfrica.

Titus B. Pakalah
Human Rights Advocacy
Lead Campaigner, March for Justice, A social movement notable for the End Rape protest in Liberia.
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Adepo Francis
Educationist
National Youth League Chairperson at the Forum for Democratic Change Party, FDC in Uganda

Titilope Anifowoshe
NGO Management and policy strategist
A legal practitioner, writer, social impact strategist, and humanitarian passionate about charity and human rights.
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2021 recipient of the 100 most outstanding youths in Africa ( Royal African Youth Leadership Award )

Cllr Easter Isaak
Elected Deputy Mayor of Keetmanshoop Municipal Council
After attending the YPLS Africa cohort 9, Easter was elected Deputy Mayor and sworn into office on the 14th of December 2022.

Alhassan Mariam
Political & Public Sector
Founder of Marisky Empowerment Foundation and first female elected in the GbumGbum Electoral Area Assembly in Ghana.

Christopher B. Jones
Technology
Tech Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Ezee Market Inc.
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2021 Global Youth Digital Champion
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Recipient of the 2021 Liberian Young Entrepreneur Award

Lamin Saidykhan
Political & Public Sector
Youth Inclusion Advocate and Founder of the Progressive Democratic Party, The Gambia,





























































