Applications are now open for the 2026 African Union Digital and Innovation Fellowship Program, a fully funded, 12-month immersive fellowship designed to empower Africa’s top digital innovators to work directly within African Union institutions. The application deadline is February 2026.
The African Union Digital & Innovation Fellowship offers young African professionals a unique opportunity to contribute to continental governance by co-developing data-driven and technology-enabled solutions that address real institutional challenges across the African Union system.
About the Fellowship Program
The AU Digital & Innovation Fellowship is a year-long placement program that embeds selected fellows within African Union institutions. Fellows receive structured capacity building, professional development, international exposure, and comprehensive financial support throughout the program.
The fellowship focuses on strengthening governance, improving public service delivery, and enhancing institutional capacity by closing critical digital and technological gaps. Fellows collaborate closely with AU staff to analyze systems, identify challenges, and design practical digital solutions that improve data management, citizen engagement, and operational efficiency.
Launched in 2021, the fellowship supports the implementation of the African Union Digital Transformation Strategy and Agenda 2063. It creates concrete pathways for African youth to actively participate in public sector innovation and continental development.
Cohort Overview: 12 Fellows, One Mission
The 2026 cohort marks the third edition of the AU Digital & Innovation Fellowship and will commence in April 2026. A total of 12 fellows will be selected across various focus areas at the intersection of technology, data, innovation, and public sector transformation.
Fellows will work on pre-defined priority areas aligned with AU institutional needs. The core mission of each fellow is to apply digital innovation and problem-solving skills to strengthen governance systems and drive sustainable digital transformation within AU institutions.
Eligibility Criteria
The AU Digital & Innovation Fellowship is open to African youth innovators who are passionate about digital transformation and public sector reform. Applicants must be citizens of an African Union member state and currently reside in Africa. Candidates must be under 35 years old at the time of application and hold at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent tertiary qualification.
Applicants should demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, experience in designing or implementing technology products or data-driven projects, and familiarity with relevant digital tools or technology stacks. Fellows must be able to commit fully to the 12-month program, including relocation to Addis Ababa, and be willing to travel for bootcamps, delegation trips, and program activities.
Proficiency in English is required, while knowledge of another AU official language such as French, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, or Swahili is an added advantage. Applications from women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to promote inclusive innovation.
Fellowship Benefits
The AU Digital & Innovation Fellowship is fully funded and offers comprehensive support. Fellows receive a monthly stipend of €2,500 to cover living and professional expenses. The program also provides an in-kind equipment budget of up to €800 for work tools and an individual learning budget of €500 for skills development.
Participants benefit from structured training, mentorship from technology and innovation experts, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. Fellows are placed within AU departments where they work on real digital transformation and governance projects.
Additional benefits include all-expense-paid bootcamps in Addis Ababa, a delegation trip to Germany for international exposure, and extensive networking opportunities with policymakers, tech leaders, and innovation partners across Africa and globally. Upon completion, fellows receive a certificate and alumni status to support future career growth.
Application Process
Interested candidates should begin by reviewing all available fellowship positions listed on the Job Postings page. Each role includes detailed focus areas, responsibilities, and eligibility requirements. Applicants are encouraged to select positions that align closely with their skills and experience.
Before applying, candidates should prepare the required documents, including an updated CV highlighting relevant digital or technology experience, a valid national ID or passport, and a summary of previous digital or data-driven projects where applicable.
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the Job Postings page. Applicants will receive feedback via email within three weeks of submission. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews, while unsuccessful applicants will also receive notification. Candidates are advised to regularly check their email inbox and spam folders.
Program Timeline
Fellowship positions open in January 2026, with applications closing in February 2026. The selection process begins immediately after the deadline. Contracting and onboarding take place in March 2026, followed by a four-day kick-off bootcamp in Addis Ababa in April 2026.
The fellowship placement and financial support run from April 2026 to March 2027. A delegation trip to Germany is scheduled for summer 2026, while the program concludes with a sustainability bootcamp and graduation in March 2027.
For More Information
Applicants are encouraged to visit the official African Union Digital and Innovation Fellowship webpage for full details, available roles, and application guidelines.
