Applications are now open for the 2025 CSEA Africa’s Data Future Fellowship. The 2025 Africa’s Data Future Fellowship is a dynamic 3-month remote capacity-building programme for emerging leaders in the African data governance landscape. Organised by the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), the fellowship equips early-career professionals and changemakers with the knowledge, skills, and mentorship to influence data governance and digital transformation across Africa.For the 2025 cohort, 5 fellows will be selected from each sub-region across the continent. At the end of the fellowship, each fellow will be required to develop a policy brief on one of the fellowship themes and present their findings at a dedicated workshop.
Fellowship Structure
The 2025 Africa’s Data Future Fellowship will focus on the following thematic areas
Data Sharing
Ethical Data Stewardship
Digital Public Infrastructure
Interoperability Standards & APIs
AI Governance & Responsible Innovation
Cross-Border Data FlowsFellowship duration: 3 months (Starting in mid-August)Geographic Representation:
1 fellow per African sub-region (North, West, East, Central, and Southern). Francophone candidates with intermediate English proficiency are also encouraged to apply.
Mode of delivery: Virtual
Commitment: Bi-weekly virtual expert brainstorming sessions
Language: English and French
Eligibility Criteria
The 2025 Africa’s Data Future Fellowship is open to:
A postgraduate degree and at least one year of professional experience in social sciences, law, technology, data policy, or related fields
Applicants from any sub-region of Africa (North, West, East, Central, Southern)
Applicants with demonstrated interest and experience in data governance, digital policy, and/or technology
Applicants should be able to commit 2 hours per week for the duration of the fellowship.
Access to a reliable internet connection and a functional computer is required for participation
Fellowship Benefits
A stipend of a total of $1,500 upon successful completion of the fellowship
Bi-weekly virtual masterclasses and expert sessions with sector leaders
Fellows’ work featured on CSEA’s platforms
Pan-African professional network
Method of Application
The fellowship is granted through a competitive process based on the application submitted by qualified candidates. All applications should be sent via the online application system and submitted in English.Applicants are expected to submit:
A completed application form
A 2-page CV
Statement of interest (200 words max)
Problem statement on a data governance challenge in your sub-region related to any of the thematic areas highlighted above (300 words max)
A writing sample (e.g., policy brief or research paper)
For More Information,
Visit the Official Webpage
Application Deadline: 30 July, 2025.
