TechForward Policy Fellowship 2026: Call for Applications

The TechForward Policy Fellowship is a prestigious virtual fellowship designed to equip young Africans with the practical skills needed to shape digital policy and technology governance across the Global South. Organized by the Africa Center for Digital Transformation (ACDT), this fellowship runs from March to May 2026 and targets early-career professionals ready to influence the future of digital development.

If you are passionate about technology, policy, innovation, or digital inclusion, the TechForward Policy Fellowship offers a unique platform to learn, collaborate, and produce real-world outputs that matter.

About the TechForward Policy Fellowship

The TechForward Policy Fellowship is a pan-African, output-driven program created to bridge the gap between technology innovation and public policy. It empowers young people—especially women—to build digital policy capacity while working on pressing issues affecting Africa’s digital future.

Importantly, the fellowship prioritizes inclusion, with women making up 70% of the cohort, ensuring gender equity in digital leadership and policy spaces.

Who Can Apply for the TechForward Policy Fellowship?

To be eligible for the TechForward Policy Fellowship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Basic Requirements

• Young Africans aged 18–30 years
• Early-career professionals or aspiring civic innovators
• Entrepreneurs, technologists, or policy-focused individuals
• Open to participants across the Global South
• Women are strongly encouraged to apply

Applicants may be:

• Students
• Employed professionals
• Self-employed entrepreneurs
• Currently unemployed

Fellowship Tracks Available

The TechForward Policy Fellowship allows participants to choose from four specialized tracks:

Fellowship Track Options

• Digital Innovation & AI-Powered Entrepreneurship
• Cybersecurity & Digital Safety
• Digital Public Infrastructure
• Green and Digital Transition

Each track focuses on building practical, policy-relevant skills aligned with Africa’s development priorities.

Expected Outputs from Fellows

A defining feature of the TechForward Policy Fellowship is its emphasis on tangible outcomes. Fellows must produce one of the following outputs by the end of the program:

Fellowship Outputs

• A Research Report
• A Policy Toolkit
• A Capacity-Building Training
• A Validated MVP or Prototype (Entrepreneurship track only)

Applicants are required to briefly describe their proposed output (up to 300 words) during the application process.

Why Apply for the TechForward Policy Fellowship?

Participating in the TechForward Policy Fellowship comes with multiple benefits:

• Build practical skills in digital policy and technology
• Learn directly from industry experts and peers
• Collaborate with diverse young leaders across Africa
• Gain experience working on real-world digital policy challenges
• Strengthen your professional network within the tech and policy ecosystem

Additionally, women applicants are given a platform to share and address barriers they face in digital skills or leadership, further strengthening inclusive policy development.

Key Dates and Program Details

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: 30 January 2026
• Program Duration: March – May 2026

Program Format

• Format: Fully Virtual
• Geographic Scope: Global South

This flexible structure allows participants to engage fully regardless of location.

How to Apply for the TechForward Policy Fellowship

Interested applicants should apply online by completing the official application form and selecting their preferred track and output.

👉 Apply via form or QR code before 30 January 2026.

Ensure that you carefully answer all required sections, including:

• Current employment status
• Primary area of experience
• Preferred fellowship track
• Proposed output description
• Gender-specific leadership barrier question (for women applicants)