Deadline: January 31, 2026
The She Leads African Food Futures (SHEAF) Fellowship 2026 is a prestigious leadership and career development programme designed to strengthen the capacity of African women working across agrifood systems. The fellowship focuses on empowering women professionals who are committed to addressing gender inequality and driving transformative change in food systems policies and programmes across Africa.
The She Leads African Food Futures (SHEAF) Fellowship 2026 brings together leadership development, technical learning, mentoring, coaching, and peer exchange to support women leaders shaping the future of Africa’s agrifood sector.
About the SHEAF Fellowship
The She Leads African Food Futures (SHEAF) Fellowship is a long-term, blended learning programme aimed at building leadership capacity among African women professionals working in agrifood systems. It supports participants to strengthen their influence in policy, research, programme implementation, governance, academia, civil society, and the private sector.
Through a structured combination of training, mentoring, coaching, and network building, the fellowship equips participants with the skills and confidence needed to advance gender-responsive approaches in food systems.
Fellowship Objectives
The fellowship seeks to:
- Strengthen leadership and professional capacity of African women in agrifood systems
- Support gender-responsive policy and programme design and implementation
- Build a strong network of women leaders influencing food systems transformation
- Enhance participants’ technical and strategic skills for long-term impact
Who Can Apply
The fellowship is open to African women professionals who meet the following criteria:
- Citizens of Kenya, Malawi, or Senegal
- Resident in Africa for the duration of the fellowship
- Hold at least a Master’s degree or possess equivalent professional experience in a relevant field
- Have a minimum of five years of professional experience in agrifood systems, including policy, research, programme implementation, governance, academia, NGOs, or the private sector
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to gender-responsive food systems work
- Possess effective English language proficiency (reading, writing, and speaking)
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows will receive:
- Tailored leadership and technical training focused on agrifood systems and gender integration
- One-on-one mentoring and professional coaching
- Peer learning opportunities with a diverse cohort of women leaders
- Access to a growing professional network of women shaping agrifood systems across Africa
Programme Structure and Duration
- Programme Start: April 2026
- Duration: Approximately 18 months
- Format: Blended learning approach combining virtual engagement and in-person activities
- The programme typically begins with an in-person training component followed by ongoing virtual learning, mentoring, and peer exchange
Important Dates
- Applications Open: December 2025
- Application Deadline: 31 January 2026 (midnight East Africa Time, GMT+3)
- Selection Notification: Around March 2026
Focus Areas
The fellowship prioritises work that addresses:
- Gender inequality in agrifood systems
- Inclusive and equitable food systems policies
- Women’s leadership in agriculture, food security, and nutrition
- Systems-level change across Africa’s agrifood landscape
How to Apply
Interested applicants must submit their applications through the official online application platform provided by the fellowship organisers. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review all eligibility criteria and programme expectations carefully before applying.
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