The African Union Digital and Innovation Fellowship is a 12-month program that aims to identify and deploy skilled tech innovators from Africa to various units and organs within the African Union headquarters as resident fellows.
These fellows are allowed to understand their assigned units, pinpoint data management challenges, and collaboratively devise innovative solutions. The goal is to enhance data management processes and improve the AU’s overall efficacy, ensuring the sustainability of these solutions beyond the fellowship period by empowering AU staff internally.
Fellows are tasked with co-creating tailored products and processes that specifically enhance the African Union’s delivery of its mandate, particularly focusing on areas like good governance and citizen engagement. The program also fosters long-term capacity building within the host African Union organs.
Since its launch in September 2021, the program has seen its first cohort of 13 fellows deployed across different units and organs of the African Union, actively addressing digital gaps in data management and operational efficiency.
highlights of the African Union Digital and Innovation FellowshipÂ
- Capacity Building Training
- Mentorship by industry experts
- Learning Tours
- Peer-to-Peer Learning
- Networking Opportunities
- Professional Career Development
- All-expense Paid Trips
- Grand Graduation Ceremony
Benefits for Fellows
As a Fellow, you will:
- Participate in capacity-building training led by experts from the African innovation ecosystem.
- Receive mentorship from experienced industry experts from the AfriLabs community.
- Network and engage in peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
- Receive monthly stipends throughout the fellowship period.
- Enjoy all-expense paid trips for various program-related activities.
- Receive a certificate upon graduation and recognition as a fellow/alumni of the African Union Digital and Innovation Fellowship Program.
Eligibility for the African Union Digital and Innovation Fellowship
For you to be eligible for the Fellowship, you need to be:
- Based in Africa and a National of an African Union member state.
- Age under 34 at the time of application.
- Hold a tertiary education degree or equivalent.
- Ability to gather and analyze information to identify key issues and propose solutions.
- Experience in designing innovative technology products/solutions.
- Willingness to relocate to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the 12-month fellowship period.
- Fluency in one or more AU official languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swahili) is advantageous.
How You Can Apply for the African Union Digital and Innovation Fellowship
- Apply online through the provided link: https://auinnovationfellowship.com/apply.
- Shortlisted candidates will undergo interviews with AU departments/organs.
- Finalists will attend an Induction Workshop and pre-deployment training before starting the fellowship.
For more information, visit the application link here or refer to the program website.
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