WIA YOUNG LEADERS
The call for applications will last for a month starting May 19th. Do not hesitate to go through the form in the FAQ section before you apply!
L’appel à candidatures durera un mois à compter du 19 mai. N’hésitez pas à consulter les questions posées dans le formulaire dans la rubrique FAQ pour préparer vos réponses avant de candidater ! Si vous rencontrez des problèmes de traduction du formulaire en français lors de votre inscription, vérifier vos paramètres ou essayez via un autre navigateur. Normalement, la traduction des questions s’effectue automatiquement et vous devriez voir le formulaire en français si votre navigateur est en français.
in partnership with
Since 2021, the WIA Young Leaders program has aimed to support and highlight young African women who are actively contributing to building a dynamic, innovative, and inclusive Africa. This initiative is part of the fight for equal opportunities and enables the training of young African women leaders by providing quality support in their professional careers and social advancement, helping them fully realize their potential.
HIGH-LEVEL NETWORKING
with CEOs, ministers, journalists, public figures, accomplished business leaders, and entrepreneurs.
TRAINING PROGRAM
with board training, media training, career coaching, women’s leadership, customized training based on individual needs.
VISIBILITY
through WIA’s communication channels and media presence.
MENTORSHIP
Each awardee is assigned a mentor (an international leader profile).
LEARNING EXPEDITION
in the third quarter with a business trip organized in a major global economic capital.
LEADERS
PROFILE
25 to 40 years old
Flexibility possible depending on experience level
African
Born in an African country or having parents born in an African country
Francophone, Anglophone, Lusophone
Ideally speaking several languages
Leadership skills
Humility, empathy, resilience
Involvement and vision
Involvement in the development of the continent
Self-made
& Ability to take on responsibilities at the highest level
PROGRAM
ALUMNAE
The WIA Young Leaders Program boasts a remarkable network of 33 alumnae
who have successfully completed the program and are now making significant strides in their respective fields.
PROGRAM
TESTIMONIALS
“The program allowed me to develop partnerships, thanks to the WIA Young Leaders I was able for example to develop a partnership with the Embassy of France in Gabon and organize the One Forest Youth Forum, with a speech during the High Level Segment in the presence of French and African Heads of State.”
Tamarah Moutotekema-Boussamba
“The meetings, individual appointments, and so on were extraordinary.”
Nafissatou Koko Titikpina
“The networking, the community and network of other amazing women doing fantastic work on the continent, the publicity through the various WIA platforms, the KPMG academy and the intended mentorship programme have all been very beneficial for my professional growth”
Folake Oni
“Thank you for this life-changing opportunity.”
Megane Boho
“I have been able to meet some World Bank representatives and make good connections for me.”
Grace Mzumara
PROGRAM
CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER 2025
Official announcement
PROGRAM
FAQ
Who can apply?
All women aged 25 to 40, born in an African country or having parents born in an African country from an African country are eligible. Toutes les femmes âgées de 25 à 40 ans, nées dans un pays africain ou ayant des parents nés dans un pays africain d’un pays africain sont éligibles.
Application Form - Formulaire de candidature
A few questions might require some preparation. See below.
Certaines questions pourraient nécessiter une certaine préparation. Voir ci-dessous.
Kindly describe your commitments to positively and persistently impact the African continent. (max. 1000 characters)
Veuillez décrire vos engagements pour avoir un impact positif et durable sur le continent africain. (1 000 caractères maximum)
Please write in about ten words your slogan for Africa today and tomorrow.
Veuillez rédiger en une dizaine de mots votre slogan pour l’Afrique d’aujourd’hui et de demain.
What do you think make a good leader ?(max. 1000 characters)
Selon vous, qu’est-ce qui fait un bon leader ? (1 000 caractères maximum)
What are your motivations for becoming a member of the WIA Young Leaders program ?(max. 1000 characters)
Quelles sont vos motivations pour rejoindre le programme Jeunes Leaders de WIA ? (1 000 caractères maximum)
What do you expect from the Young Leaders Program ?(max. 1000 characters)
Qu’attendez-vous du programme Jeunes Leaders ? (1 000 caractères maximum)
What does the program include?
Selected candidates will benefit from specialized training, mentorship from international leaders, a business trip and significant visibility within our network.
How does the selection process work?
The selection process takes place in two phases: an application review followed by an interview with a panel of experts for pre-selected candidates.
How can I apply?
To apply, click here! Make sure you read the Application Form questions first in the FAQ!
Pour postuler, cliquez ici ! Assurez-vous de lire d’abord les questions du formulaire de candidature dans les FAQ !
Are there any costs associated with the program?
The WIA Young Leaders Program is fully funded for selected candidates, covering training, mentorship, and program-related activities.
When will I know if I’m accepted?
Applicants are usually notified of their status a few weeks after the interview phase. Exact timelines may vary, so check the program website or stay subscribed to the newsletter for updates.
Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
For additional inquiries, you can reach out via contact@wia-initiative.com mentioning the name of the program in your email 🙂