Deadline: 30 July 2025
The CSEA Africa’s 2025 Data Future Fellowship is a groundbreaking opportunity for emerging African professionals committed to shaping the continent’s digital future. Organised by the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), this three-month, fully virtual fellowship will support early-career professionals in advancing innovative thinking in data governance, digital transformation, and responsible tech use.
If you are a passionate changemaker working on digital policy, artificial intelligence governance, or ethical data stewardship, CSEA Africa’s 2025 Data Future Fellowship could be your gateway to broader influence and policy impact.
About the Fellowship
The programme is designed to enhance regional leadership and capacity in digital policy across the African continent. Five fellows—one from each African sub-region (North, West, East, Central, and Southern Africa)—will be selected to participate in expert-led workshops, policy development sessions, and regional collaboration opportunities.
Fellowship Themes
Selected fellows will engage deeply with one or more of the following focus areas:
- Data Sharing and Access
- Ethical Data Stewardship
- Digital Public Infrastructure
- Interoperability Standards and APIs
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance
- Responsible Innovation
- Cross-Border Data Flows
Fellowship Structure and Duration
- Start Date: Mid-August 2025
- Duration: 3 months
- Format: Fully virtual
- Time Commitment: ~2 hours per week
- Language: English (Francophone applicants with intermediate English proficiency are encouraged to apply)
Participants will attend bi-weekly virtual sessions led by leading experts and practitioners. In addition to training, fellows will be guided in preparing a regional policy brief, culminating in a virtual presentation at the end of the fellowship.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered, applicants must:
- Hold a postgraduate degree (e.g., Master’s)
- Have at least one year of professional experience in social sciences, technology, law, public policy, or related fields
- Demonstrate a strong interest in data governance or digital policy
- Have reliable internet access and a personal computer
The fellowship is open to applicants residing in any of Africa’s five major regions.
Benefits of the Data Future Fellowship
Fellows will receive a USD $1,500 stipend upon successful completion of the programme. Other key benefits include:
- Access to high-level digital governance masterclasses
- Mentorship from leading professionals across Africa and beyond
- Networking and peer collaboration across diverse African regions
- Publication and policy impact opportunities through the final policy brief
Application Details
Required Documents:
- Completed online application form
- 2-page CV
- Statement of interest (max. 200 words)
- Problem statement (max. 300 words) describing a digital governance issue in your sub-region
- A writing sample (e.g., policy brief, article, or academic paper)
Submission Format:
All applications must be submitted through the official online application portal.
Final Thoughts
The CSEA Africa’s 2025 Data Future Fellowship presents a unique opportunity to elevate your voice in Africa’s digital transformation journey. If you’re driven to create impactful data governance solutions tailored to your region, don’t miss this fellowship.
For help with proposal drafting, refining, and review, contact grantsdatabase.org.
