Deadline: December 12, 2025
The Applications Open for the Amujae Initiative 2025 for Emerging African Women Leaders (Fully Funded) programme is now accepting submissions for its next cohort. This prestigious leadership initiative, created by the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development (EJS Center), is designed to equip exceptional African women with the skills, visibility and support needed to rise to the highest levels of public leadership across the continent.
Launched in 2020, the Amujae Initiative remains the flagship programme of the EJS Center and has already supported 55 women across 24 African countries, building a strong pan-African sisterhood of political, civic and public leaders committed to driving transformational change.
About the Amujae Initiative
The Amujae Initiative was created to inspire, mentor, and develop ambitious African women who are already demonstrating exceptional leadership potential in public service, politics, civil society, or governance spaces. The word Amujae comes from a Liberian expression meaning “we are going up” or “we are rising together”, reflecting the programme’s vision of collective leadership and empowerment.
Every year, up to 15 women are selected into the cohort and benefit from world-class mentorship, engagement with former Heads of State, exposure to international platforms, and leadership development that positions them for senior public roles.
Since its inception, the initiative has become a recognised accelerator for women leaders advancing towards positions such as parliamentarians, ministers, cabinet members, commissioners, governors, and other public decision-making roles.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the Amujae Initiative 2025 cohort, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of an African country
- Already demonstrate a strong track record of leadership in governance, public service, politics, civil society, or related sectors
- Show a clear ambition to rise to senior public leadership within the next five years
- Show commitment to uplifting and empowering women and girls in their communities
- Demonstrate resilience, integrity, and a credible reputation in their field
- Possess a compelling vision for public impact and societal transformation
Applications are strongly encouraged from women across all African regions, with particular focus on Central Africa, North Africa, Francophone and Lusophone countries which are currently under-represented in the programme’s alumni.
Programme Benefits
Selected members of the 2025 cohort will receive:
- High-level mentoring from distinguished African and global leaders, including former presidents and senior officials
- Full access to leadership development tools, training and strategic exposure
- A lifelong network of Amujae Leaders committed to public impact
- Visibility, media amplification and international platform representation
- Support in navigating political systems, institution-building, and power dynamics
The initiative is fully funded for all selected participants.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must upload the following:
- A CV (maximum 3 pages)
- A short biography (maximum 200 words)
- Three referees (at least two must be professional references)
The online form does not allow saving and returning later, so applicants are strongly advised to draft responses offline before submitting.
Key Application Questions Include
- Your public leadership journey and your most significant achievements
- The legacy you want to build and what public role you aim for in the next five years
- A challenge you have faced and what it reveals about your resilience
- How you have supported or advocated for women and girls
- Where you learned about the Amujae Initiative
- How participation will benefit your leadership journey
Timeline and Deadline
- Application Deadline: 12 December 2025 (Midnight GMT)
- Selected applicants will be notified directly by the EJS Center
- Programme activities begin in 2026
How to Apply
Applicants must complete the online application form and upload all required documents before the deadline. Only complete applications will be reviewed.
Why You Should Apply
The Amujae Initiative is one of the few programmes in Africa that directly positions women for political and public leadership at scale. It provides visibility, a continental peer network, high-level mentors, and capacity-building tools designed for real-world public impact. If you are preparing to take on leadership in government, public office, or civic governance, this initiative is a major lever of access, influence and credibility.
Useful Final Notes
- Start contacting referees early so they are prepared.
- Draft your answers offline to avoid losing content during submission.
- Emphasise your leadership vision, not just your professional history.
- Be clear on how you will use the programme to scale your public leadership goals.
Application Links
🔗 Read More About the Programme
(contact us for proposal drafting, refinning and review)
