Application Deadline: March 23, 2025
Applications are now open for the AFRIKA KOMMT!
Fellowship Programme 2025/2027.
AFRIKA KOMMT! brings together the most visionary young
leaders from Africa and leading German companies. Companies benefit from the
expertise, knowledge, local network and unique African perspective of the young
professionals. The African fellows dive deep into the German corporate
specifics, German business spirit and the German culture.
The AFRIKA KOMMT! fellowship programme provides an
unparalleled opportunity to young, talented African professionals for a
one-year career and life transformational experience.
It is a programme for young, extraordinary African
professionals who wish to expand the horizons of their skills, knowledge and
experience and are not afraid to step out of their comfort zone to do so! We
strive to facilitate young leaders to drive economic and social development of
their countries by promoting sustainable cooperation with German industry.
The programme entails selection of top tier professionals
from all African countries – including North Africa – and facilitating a one
year personal and professional transformational journey in Germany. This
encompasses German language lessons, international management trainings, study
tours and peaks in an 8-month practical training at the host company.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the programme you must:
- Be a
Citizen of any African country
- Have
a University degree in a relevant subject
- Postgraduate
degree (e.g. MBA) is an advantage
- Have
two to five years work experience
- Have
excellent English language skills
- Basic
knowledge of the German language is an advantage
- Not
be older than 35 years at the time of application
Benefits
The AFRIKA KOMMT! programme is entirely financed by the
participating companies. As a fellow, all costs related to your participation
in the fellowship programme will be covered (flights, accommodation, monthly
stipend, trainings, language course).
Programme Details
At the core of the AFRIKA KOMMT! programme is a one-year
stay for the African professionals in Germany. During this time, the fellows
actively work in their partner companies where they are trained and mentored.
Other components organized by GIZ such as language courses, trainings and
networking events supplement the learning experience.
- Professional
and tailor-made selection process: The fellows of the programme
are chosen in a comprehensive selection process that is implemented in
close cooperation with the participating companies.
- Language
and cultural integration for fellows: The programme begins with
German language and cultural integration courses to prepare the fellows
for their stay in Germany. The fellows also get an opportunity to visit
cultural heritage sites within Germany.
- Management
training for fellows: The fellows undergo three modules of
intense management training where they advance their knowledge of modern
global management practices.
- Professional
fellowship in partner company: The young experts spend eight
months with their partner companies and are engaged in projects and
meaningful work experience.
- AFRIKA
KOMMT! Network: The partner companies and the African
professionals come together at various networking events, share expertise
and drive common projects.
- Alumni
phase: After their one-year stay in Germany, the fellows become
knowledge and skill transfer ambassadors as alumni in their home
countries. A one-week refresher course in Germany or in Africa advances
the skill set of the alumni and fosters continued strengthening of the
AFRIKA KOMMT! network.
A Comprehensive Programme in Three Phases
Selection and Preparation
- Definition
of fellowship profiles by the companies
- Application
phase
- Selection
of the candidates for the Assessment Center
- Assessment
Center and final selection of fellows
- Preparatory
German course in home country for fellows
One-Year Stay in Germany
- Intensive
German language course
- 3
Management Trainings (Focus: Intercultural Competencies, Leadership,
Project and Change Management, Conflict Management)
- 8-month
fellowship in the partner company
- One-week
study tour
- Weekend
Seminars
- Networking
events
- Farewell
ceremony with the Federal Foreign Office
Alumni Phase
- One-week
refresher course
- Participation
in AFRIKA KOMMT! events
- Alumni
projects
- Continous
networking
Application Procedure
Step 1
Check the general candidate
requirements – do you fit the criteria and are you eligible for
the programme?
Step 2
Check the available
fellowship placements and required profiles for the new intake of
AFRIKA KOMMT!
The fellowship placements will only be available during the
application phase.
Your application will be considered for the AFRIKA KOMMT!
programme as a whole, however you are asked to select maximum 2 profiles in the
application form and to give reasons for your choice.
Step 3
Register on https://application.afrika-kommt.de and
fill in the application form in English.
Applications in other languages will not be considered.
In addition to filling the application form, you will be
asked to upload a short presentation about your motivation,
an idea for a change initiative, a photo and
your certificates.
About the idea for a change initiative:
One of the aims of AFRIKA KOMMT! is to build a platform that
supports young African professionals to design change initiatives that seek to
solve social and economic challenges in their countries. Please think for
an idea for a change initative that you would like to implement in your
country. You will be asked four questions about your idea in the application
form.
Step 4
Submit your application before the deadline (tbc) –
applications submitted after this date cannot be considered.
Selection Procedure:
You will receive feedback on your application within approx.
8-12 weeks after the official end of the application period. The partner
companies may contact you to do a short telephone interview with you. If your
application has successfully passed the pre-selection stage, you will receive
an invitation to a 2-days assessment centre.
For More Information: AFRIKA KOMMT! Fellowship Programme