Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) Fellowship 2026–2027

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) Fellowship 2026–2027

Applications are open for the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) Fellowship 2026–2027, a leadership development programme bringing together emerging leaders from Africa, the wider Global South and the Global North.

The Fellowship focuses on leadership, cross-boundary collaboration and addressing climate challenges from different perspectives.

Programme Details

Organization: Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and Common Purpose

Location: Online

Format: Fully online

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: September 27, 2026

Who Can Apply

The Fellowship is open to emerging leaders from different sectors, backgrounds, countries and communities across Africa, the wider Global South and the Global North.

Applicants should:

• Typically have more than 5 years of professional or voluntary experience.
• Demonstrate leadership potential or leadership capability.
• Show a commitment to creating positive change.
• Be able to clearly explain what they can contribute to the programme challenge.
• Have an interest in climate issues and addressing the imbalance between the Global North and South.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Be able to commit to the full Fellowship programme.

What the Fellowship Covers

The Fellowship is funded by Africa Finance Corporation, so there is no cost to participants.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Develop leadership and influencing skills.
• Work with emerging leaders from different countries and sectors.
• Explore complex climate and environmental challenges.
• Collaborate across different cultures, sectors and perspectives.
• Develop and present ideas around a real-world climate challenge.
• Join a growing international community of Fellowship alumni.

2026–2027 Programme

The programme includes independent online learning, live leadership sessions and a Climate Challenge programme.

The 2026–2027 cohort will explore how carbon markets can be reformed to support the preservation and expansion of forests, grasslands, peatlands and mangroves in Africa and across the Global South.

Application Requirements

Applicants will be asked to provide information about:

• Their professional or voluntary experience.
• Their organisation and current role.
• Their leadership experience.
• What they can contribute to the climate challenge.
• Why they want to participate in the Fellowship.
• Their interest in environmental issues and the relationship between the Global North and South.

Applicants will also be required to submit a short video response as part of the application.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should complete the application form through the official Common Purpose application page.

Apply: https://commonpurpose.org/the-afc-fellowship/apply

Application Deadline: September 27, 2026 at midnight BST.