Africa civic leadership fellowship launched to empower young change-makers

The Church on the Street NG has launched the 2026 Civic Africa Fellowship, a new leadership and global citizenship program designed to equip young Africans with essential skills, knowledge, and networks. This initiative aims to foster positive change across the continent by empowering young individuals to become active citizens, influential policy advocates, and effective solution providers within their communities.

The fellowship arrives at a critical juncture for Africa, which boasts the world's youngest population. The program seeks to shift the narrative from young people being passive recipients of development aid to becoming active agents of social transformation. It will convene promising young leaders from diverse backgrounds who share a passion for leadership, civic engagement, community development, social innovation, and public service.

“

Africa’s future would be shaped not by its challenges but by the quality of leaders willing to confront them.

Itofa Ivarah, the Founder of The Church on the Street NG, emphasized that Africa's future hinges on the quality of its leaders and their willingness to tackle challenges head-on. The fellowship draws inspiration from global citizenship principles and civic leadership models, encouraging critical thinking, ethical action, and constructive engagement with both local and global issues. Participants can expect mentorship, leadership workshops, collaborative projects, and a residency period focused on enhancing their leadership capabilities and civic participation.

The organization is actively seeking collaboration with development partners, educators, policymakers, civil society organizations, and youth-focused institutions. The goal is to collectively build a robust ecosystem that supports youth leadership and civic engagement throughout Africa. The launch of the Civic Africa Fellowship represents a significant step in The Church on the Street NG's ongoing mission to empower communities, cultivate emerging leaders, and establish sustainable pathways for social transformation across the continent.

“

participants would undergo mentorship, leadership workshops, collaborative projects and a residency aimed at strengthening their leadership capacity and civic engagement.