The Mandela Washington Fellowship Program is organized by the U.S government to help improve young African leaders from age 25 to 35 in their different works of life

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). YALI was created in 2010 and celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2020. Established in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship has brought nearly 5,800 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa to the United States for academic and leadership training. The Fellows, between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished innovators and leaders in their communities and countries.

Young Sierra Leoneans leaders over the years have been opportune to be part of this great journey.

The 2022 Mandela Washington Fellowship YALI Sierra Leoneans participants are Samuel Saidu, James Kpaka, Aminata Kandeh, Alex Bayoh, Precious Lamin, Nyangah Rogers-Wright, Laura Nicol, Adama Sillah, and Issa Thullah on their return have been hosted by the U.S Embassy in Freetown.

They shared their experiences and explains how they plan to use their newly expanded leadership skills in sierra leone.