The Obama Foundation is accepting applications for the 2027–2028 Obama Foundation Leaders Program. It’s a free leadership programme for changemakers aged 24 to 45, with four regional tracks: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the United States. Leaders Africa selects 35 leaders from across the continent for an eight-month journey of virtual sessions, coaching and peer learning.
Deadlines: the priority deadline is 23 November 2026. The final deadline is 4 December 2026 at 12:00 noon US Central Time, which is 18:00 in Accra, 19:00 in Lagos, 20:00 in Johannesburg and 21:00 in Nairobi. Applications after the priority date are only reviewed if there’s space, so apply early.
At a Glance
| Organiser | The Obama Foundation |
| Programme | Obama Foundation Leaders Africa, 2027–2028 cohort |
| Places | 35 leaders from across Africa |
| Format | Eight months (between September 2027 and May 2028), 8–12 hours a month, mostly virtual |
| Cost | Free |
| Age | 24–45 on 1 September 2027 |
| Deadlines | Priority: 23 November 2026 · Final: 4 December 2026, 12:00 noon US Central Time |
What the Programme Involves
- Weekly virtual group sessions: leadership frameworks, conversations with people working in the region, and small-group work.
- Monthly community groups: smaller peer groups for deeper relationships and case studies of African leaders and issues.
- Individual and regional coaching: coaching to clarify your goals, build self-awareness and work through challenges in your issue area.
The Obama Foundation’s main Leaders page describes Leaders Africa as virtual, while the Leaders Africa page calls it “hybrid”. Expect most of the programme to be online, and check the official page for any in-person element.
Benefits
- A free, structured leadership development programme
- Leadership coaching throughout the eight months
- A cohort of 35 changemakers from across Africa, plus links with leaders in other regions
- Membership of the Obama Leadership Network after you finish, with alumni events, a newsletter, an online alumni platform and invitations to Foundation events
Eligibility
- Where you live: you must currently live in Africa, and continue living there for the whole programme. Every African nation and territory is eligible. Africans living outside the continent can’t apply to Leaders Africa.
- Your status: you must be one of the following:
- a citizen of an eligible country
- a permanent resident
- a refugee or asylum seeker in an eligible country
- someone who has lived in an eligible country for at least the last 5 years
- Age: between 24 and 45 on 1 September 2027.
- Experience: at least 3 years of relevant experience in your issue area. Your changemaking work doesn’t have to be your full-time job.
- Focus: your work must aim to create positive change in local communities, an African country or the wider region.
- Language: professional proficiency in English.
- Education: no degree is required.
- Commitment: you must be able to take part in the whole eight months, including 8–12 hours of virtual sessions a month, coaching and community groups.
- Politics: you can’t run as a candidate for political office from acceptance until 1 May 2028.
- Not eligible: past participants of any Obama Foundation Leaders programme. Alumni of other Foundation programmes, such as Voyagers or Scholars, can apply.
- You need a computer with a camera and a reliable internet connection.
You can only apply to one Leaders region.
How to Apply
- Read the Leaders Africa page and FAQs (links below) to confirm you meet every requirement. The Foundation says it makes no exceptions.
- Create a free account on the Foundation’s Submittable application portal, or sign in with Google or Facebook.
- Complete the application. It has:
- general information about you and your work
- your CV
- five or six short written answers of 50–250 words each
- two short videos of up to 2 minutes each (a simple phone recording is fine)
- the names and email addresses of two references
- Save as you go, and submit before 23 November 2026 (priority) or at the latest 4 December 2026, 12:00 noon US Central Time.
Selection decisions are expected in July 2027.
Official Leaders Africa page · Leaders Africa FAQs · Application portal (Submittable)
Tips
- Be specific about impact. Name your issue, who you serve and what has changed because of your work, with numbers if you have them.
- Write in your own voice. The Foundation asks for authentic answers about your leadership journey and values.
- Keep the videos simple. Find a quiet place with good light, speak naturally and stay under 2 minutes.
- Brief your referees early so they know to expect a message.
- Submit well before the deadline. It closes at 12:00 noon US Central Time, which is evening in Africa.
