Africa Data Future Remote Fellowship 2026
Job Description
Africa Data Future Remote Fellowship 2026
The 2026 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 2026 cohort, 10 fellows will be selected across Africa. At the end of the fellowship, each fellow will be required to develop a policy brief and a blog on one of the fellowship themes and present their findings at a dedicated workshop.
This is a unique opportunity to turn expertise into meaningful impact.
Summary of the Africa Data Future Remote Fellowship 2026
- Type: Fellowship
- Location: Remote
- Sponsor: Centre For the Study of African Economies (CSAE)
- Fellowship Duration: 3 months (Starting in October, 2026)
- Deadline: September 18, 2026
- Mode of delivery: Virtual
- Commitment: Bi-weekly virtual expert brainstorming sessions
- Language: English and French
- Benefits:
- A stipend of US$1,500 maximum 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
Eligibility Criteria for the Africa Data Future Remote Fellowship 2026
The 2026 Africa’s Data Future Fellowship is open to applicants who meet the following minimum criteria:
- Hold a postgraduate degree and have at least one year of professional experience in social sciences, law, technology, data policy, or related fields
- Be from, and resident in any African country.
- Be currently working or professionally engaged in data governance, digital policy, Artificial Intelligence, technology, or related areas within any of the following sectors: Government institutions; Private sector organisations; AI start-ups, including fintech, edtech, healthtech, agritech, and related ventures; Research, policy think tanks, or universities; and Civil society organisations.
- Demonstrate an interest in and/or experience in the public sector, data governance, digital policy, and/or technology as an added advantage.
- Be willing and able to commit at least 2 hours per week for the duration of the fellowship.
- Have access to a reliable internet connection and a functional computer for the duration of the fellowship.
Selection Process
- The fellowship is granted through a competitive selection process based on applications submitted by eligible candidates.
- All applications must be submitted through the online application system and in English.
Fellowship Structure
The 2026 Africa’s Data Future Fellowship will focus on the following thematic areas:
- Digital Rights
- Data Sharing
- Data Value Chain
- Digital Public Infrastructure
- Regulatory Interoperability
- Data Sovereignty
Institutional Placement: Fellows are expected to engage with a relevant institution within the data and digital policy ecosystem in their country during the fellowship period to disseminate the findings of their fellowship output.