The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), the U.S. Government’s signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders, will be celebrating ten years of existence from the 24th -28th of May 2021.
Established in 2010, YALI has grown from just 115 young leaders to more than 24,000 alumni of the Mandela Washington Fellowship exchange program. In addition, it has added four Regional Leadership Centers (RLCs) in Africa, and an extensive digital community called the YALI Network with more than 700,000 members. These programs aim to strengthen democratic institutions and good governance, spur economic growth and prosperity, and foster peace and security in Africa.
The 10th Anniversary Summit’s theme is: “Ten Plus Ten: YALI and the United States Look Back, and Ahead, Together.”
Speaking during a virtual question-and-answer session with alumni of the YALI program, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken remarked:
“A continent of 1.3 billion people, median age 19 – the best way to expand opportunities, grow economies, promote human rights is to invest in Africa’s young leaders.”
The YALI 2021 Virtual Summit will be hosted by the U.S. Department of State and USAID, in partnership with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Africa Program. It will feature several high-level speakers, policymakers, YALI alumni and experts from the United States and across Africa. Attendees will also include alumni from various YALI programs as well as its vast network.
