KIGALI, RWANDA - 27 April 2026 – The United Nations Development Programme in partnership with the African School of Governance (ASG), the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) today opened applications for the inaugural cohort of the African Academy for Women in Political Leadership, a continental programme designed to build the next generation of women who govern Africa.

Institutions across Africa are invited to nominate exceptional women for a fully funded, four-week blended programme combining virtual learning with a residential convening. Thirty women will be selected for the inaugural cohort.

Africa’s political representation of women remains critically low, and where women do hold office, they frequently navigate systems that were not designed with their leadership in mind. The African Academy for Women in Political Leadership was built to change that.

Participants will engage with modules, including political leadership and governance, strategic communications, coalition-building, legislative processes, campaign financing, and ethical leadership. The programme combines peer learning, mentorship from senior African leaders, and immersive residential dialogue.

At least 40 per cent of the cohort will be women aged 21–35, and at least 60 per cent will be drawn from countries facing elections within the next 12 to 36 months. Selection is fully merit-based, assessed across criteria including track record of service and leadership, impact potential, and intergenerational representation. All programme costs are fully covered.

“Africa’s future will be shaped by who leads, and how they lead. This Academy is not just about increasing women’s participation in politics; it is about transforming the systems of governance so that women lead at scale, with influence, and with impact. This is how we will accelerate Africa’s progress.”

— Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa

“ASG was founded on the conviction that Africa must grow its own governance leaders. Hosting the African Academy for Women in Political Leadership is both a privilege and a responsibility that ASG takes seriously, and we are happy to be part of the journey.”

— Francis Gatare, President, African School of Governance

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

The Academy is a four-week blended programme combining virtual learning modules with a residential convening. Thirty women will be selected through a merit-based, open nominations process. Eligibility is open to women currently holding or credibly pursuing elected or appointed political office anywhere in Africa. All programme costs are fully covered for selected participants. The African School of Governance in Kigali, Rwanda serves as the implementing partner.

HOW TO NOMINATE

Government ministries, political parties, AU member state institutions, and civil society organisations are encouraged to submit nominations. Nominations from all five African regions are strongly encouraged to ensure continental representation.

Nomination forms and full eligibility criteria are available here. The deadline for nominations is 15 May.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

• Ugochukwu Kingsley Ahuchaogu, Regional Communications and External Engagement Specialist, Regional Programme for Africa, UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa | ugochukwu.kingsley@undp.org
• Stella Tushabe, Communications Specialist, African School of Governance | stushabe@asg.ac 
• Fatima Daou-Thiam, Communications Officer, African Women Leaders Network | communication@awlnafrica.net 

About UNDP

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.

Learn more at www.undp.org/africa/

About the African School of Governance (ASG)

The African School of Governance is a pan-African institution co-founded by H.E. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, and H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn, Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, to develop the next generation of governance practitioners on the continent. Based in Kigali, Rwanda, ASG offers Master of Public Administration and executive leadership programmes to professionals from across Africa.

Learn more at www.asg.ac

About the African Union Commission

The African Union Commission (AUC) is the AU’s secretariat and undertakes the day-to-day activities of the Union. It is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Some of its functions include representing the AU and defending its interests under the guidance of and as mandated by the Assembly and the Executive Council and acting as the custodian of the AU Constitutive Act and all other OAU/AU legal instruments.

Learn more at https://au.int/en/commission

About the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN)

AWLN is a pan-African network established in 2017 by the African Union and UN Women to strengthen women’s leadership, influence, and political participation at all levels across Africa.

Learn more at www.awln.org