WIA Young Leaders Program 2025: Call for Applications from Young African Women
Engr. RABIU RABIU Dr. Kali 
Applications are NOW OPEN for the 2025 WIA Young Leaders Program. 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. The program boasts a remarkable network of 33 alumnae who have successfully completed the program and are now making significant strides in their respective fields.
Key Benefits
Selected candidates will benefit from specialized training, mentorship from international leaders, a business trip, and significant visibility within our network.
The WIA Young Leaders Program is fully funded for selected candidates, covering training, mentorship, and program-related activities. Key benefits include:
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HIGH-LEVEL NETWORKING: with CEOs, ministers, journalists, public figures, accomplished business leaders, and entrepreneurs.
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TRAINING PROGRAM: with board training, media training, career coaching, women’s leadership, customized training based on individual needs.
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VISIBILITY: through WIA’s communication channels and media presence.
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MENTORSHIP: Each awardee is assigned a mentor (an international leader profile).
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LEARNING EXPEDITION: in the third quarter with a business trip organized in a major global economic capital.
Who Can Apply?
All women aged 25 to 40, born in an African country or having parents born in an African country or having parents from an African country, are eligible.
- 25 to 40 years old: Flexibility possible depending on experience level
- Leadership skills: Humility, empathy, resilience
- African: Born in an African country or having parents born in an African country
- Involvement and vision: Involvement in the development of the continent
- Francophone, Anglophone, Lusophone: Ideally speaking several languages
- Self-made and Ability to take on responsibilities at the highest level
Key Dates
- MAY 19 – JUNE 19 2025
Call for applications: Each year, the WIA Young Leaders program opens its call for applications, inviting talented young African women to apply. This phase seeks to attract candidates with strong potential.
- JUNE – JULY 2025
Selection process: Candidates are carefully reviewed based on their academic achievements, career success, leadership abilities, and commitment to making a positive impact. The selection committee narrows down the pool to a shortlist of outstanding individuals.
- JULY – AUGUST 2025
Interview with the Jury: Shortlisted candidates proceed to a final interview stage, where they meet with a panel of 12 international jury members. These interviews allow candidates to showcase their ambitions, leadership potential, and personal journeys.
- SEPTEMBER 2025
Official announcement: Once the selection process is complete, the new cohort of WIA Young Leaders is officially announced online and in the press. This public announcement celebrates the achievements and potential of these outstanding young African women and introduces them to a global audience.
- NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2025
Learning Expedition: The selected WIA Young Leaders are then invited on an exclusive business trip to Paris. During this journey, they have the opportunity to engage in high-level networking, attend specialized workshops, and meet influential figures in business, philanthropy, and social leadership. This experience is designed to broaden their perspectives, enhance their professional networks, and provide valuable insights for their future careers.
Application Deadline
- 19 June 2025
How to Apply
- Fill out the application form
Selection Process
The selection process takes place in two phases:
- an application review followed by
- an interview with a panel of experts for pre-selected candidates.
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.
Contact
- For additional inquiries, you can reach out via contact@wia-initiative.com mentioning the name of the program in your email.
