By: John Rice, MLT Founder & CEO

Today, the Africa Business Fellowship, a partnership between MLT, Econet, African Leadership Network (ALN), and The Milken Institute, begins accepting applications for its inaugural class. Learn more about the opportunity today at www.africabusinessfellowship.com.

Through this highly competitive Fellowship, 10-15 professionals – US citizens and permanent residents – will gain unprecedented exposure to and hands-on experience working in one of several top African-led businesses in Kenya, Ghana, Rwanda, South Africa, or Nigeria. In addition to this unparalleled experience working in a top organization and working under the guidance of a senior-level sponsor and peer mentor, Fellows will participate in a series of retreats, seminars, and social activities.  Fellows will also build lasting relationships with influential African executives throughout the Fellowship and share their experience at a commencement ceremony during the prestigious annual gathering of the African Leadership Network in November 2016.

Learn more about the program experience, partners, and requirements at www.africabusinessfellowship.com today and help us spread the word via #abf.

We will host an introductory webinar on Monday, August 10th at 8pm EDT, so be sure to like our page on Facebook for details!

We look forward to receiving your application by October 1st, 2015!

Newly launched Africa Business Fellowship opens application

Prestigious fellowship placing future US business leaders with leading African companies opens application for inaugural class of fellows

Washington, DC;  July 23, 2015—The Africa Business Fellowship, a partnership of Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), Econet, The Milken Institute, and African Leadership Network (ALN), announced that the application for its inaugural class of Africa Business Fellows is now open (available at http://www.africabusinessfellowship.com/apply/). The African-led private sector initiative was unveiled in April at the Milken Institute Global Conference, attended by H.E. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, along with business and government leaders from Africa, the US, and around the world.

Through this highly competitive Fellowship, 10-15 professionals – US citizens and permanent residents – will gain unprecedented exposure and hands-on experience in the African business and investment landscape. Fellows will be placed in top African-led companies for 3-6 months beginning in June 2016, where they will have access to peer mentorship and a senior-level sponsor, participate in retreats, seminars, and social activities, and experience local culture. Fellows will also build relationships with influential African executives throughout the Fellowship and at the commencement ceremony during the prestigious annual gathering of the African Leadership Network in November.

As Africa has emerged as one the fastest growing regions in the world, investors and entrepreneurs are increasingly tapping into the continent’s potential. The US can benefit significantly from deepening America’s rising business executives’ exposure to African businesses and leadership across sectors.  Kofi Annan, Chair of the Africa Progress Panel, former Secretary General of the United Nations and Nobel Laureate reflects: “Good partnerships are essential to progress in so many endeavors, including business. The Africa Business Fellowship is an innovative approach to brokering links between emerging leaders in the US private sector and some of Africa’s most dynamic companies.”

This selective fellowship seeks innovative, driven professionals with strong leadership potential and passion for contributing to and promoting US-Africa business relationships.  Candidates should have a track record of academic achievement, 5+ years of professional business success, and proven leadership experience.  According to Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Chairman of Econet, the Africa Business Fellowship “will become a signature effort of Africa’s private sector to develop a new partnership with the US based on trade, entrepreneurship, and investment.”

The application is available at www.africabusinessfellowship.com. The final application deadline is November 9, 2015.  Join this conversation on Twitter using #abf.

Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) is a non-profit organization that is changing the face of leadership in the private and social sectors. MLT provides high-potential underrepresented minorities with the winning professional playbook, one-on-one coaching and door-opening relationships that accelerate their career paths to the highest levels. MLT has created a thriving network of more than 4,000 rising leaders and is fundamentally transforming the diverse talent pipelines at its partner organizations, including more than 100 leading corporations, nonprofits and graduate business schools.

Econet is a diversified global telecommunications group with operations and investments across a dozen African countries, Europe, North America, Latin America and the Asia Pacific. Its businesses include mobile network operations, fibre optic services, satellite communications, data centers and transaction processing. The group also has interests in renewable energy, financial services and hospitality.

African Leadership Network (ALN) is a membership community of the most dynamic and influential new-generation leaders in Africa. ALN creates and strengthens relationships between these leaders to encourage intra-African trade, investment, and collaboration. ALN offers opportunities for members to build relationships with one another year-round, including events (such as the flagship Annual Gathering, taking place in a different African city each November) and exclusive networking tools. ALN also invests in and celebrates entrepreneurship in Africa through ALN Ventures and the Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship.

Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank determined to increase global prosperity by advancing collaborative solutions that widen access to capital, create jobs and improve health. Through its research and global convenings, the Institute is spotlighting African economic growth and development and working with stakeholders to catalyze investment and develop innovative solutions to strengthen the region’s capital markets.