LDI Africa’s Emerging Institutions Fellowship Program

Applications open: April 1st, 2015                                                                                                                                     Deadline: May 31st , 2015                                                                                                                                             http://www.ldiafrica.org/africa-fellowship

Apply for Paid Fellowship in Africa
LDI Africa is seeking young business and development leaders, preferably mid-level professionals for its Emerging Institutions Fellowship Program (EIFP) across Africa. The EIFP provides pro bono consulting opportunities in Africa’s leading investment funds and social enterprises. Fellows participate in a yearlong fellowship where they work to position African emerging businesses towards the path of long-term sustainability and scale. The EIFP also provides driven Fellows employment and seed funding opportunities in Africa at the successful completion of the fellowship.

To Apply: Qualified candidates should download and complete the Application Essay on the website http://www.ldiafrica.org/africa-fellowship. In one email, please send the completed Application Essay, a current resume, a cover letter and the contact information of two references to apply@ldiafrica.org. For more details about eligibility requirements and the application process, please visit:www.ldiafrica.org/africa-fellowship. To apply or make further inquiries about the fellowship, please email apply@ldiafrica.org

Who Should Apply:  Young business and development professionals from any part of the world. You do not have to be an African or live in/outside of Africa to apply.

Participating Organizations Include: Convergence Partners, Rocket Internet, Lead Capital, Whatana Investments, KickStart, Opes Impact Fund, One Acre Fund, Shared Value Africa, Invested Development, Eleos Fund, Kyklou Group, Edify, Willow Impact Advisors, SME Funds, Jacana Partners and more.

Informational Webinar Recording with One Acre Fund: Please listen to the informational webinar on the application process, important dates and Fellowship opportunities at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMtERL6QlaM

Please spread the word by forwarding this announcement to contacts in your network and on social media. To share on social media, please post the message below on your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn:

“LDI Africa is now recruiting rising professionals for paid fellowships in Africa’s best emerging institutions http://bit.ly/1wWh09u”

LDI Africa is holding an informational webinar for the Summer 2015 Emerging Institutions Fellowship Program on March 26. RSVP to learn about how to become an LDI Africa Fellow at One Acre Fund and other Africa’s best nonprofit and for-profit organizations. (Please Share)
We cannot wait to talk with all the prospective applicants March 26th, 2015 from 12.00pm to 1.00pm.
RSVP here to get the webinar link – http://ldiafricainformationalwebinar.splashthat.com/

Gessye Ginelle Safou-Mat is a graduate student in International Development and a volunteer Friday Forum Coordinator at the School of International Service, American University in Washington, DC. She has researched for the IADB (crime and development) and UN association fellowship program (youth and the UN) as part of her Masters. She was a consultant for Meridian International Group (reproductive health at the workplace in developing countries). Gessye obtained a Bachelor degree in Banking and Finance at Regent University College in Accra, Ghana and worked for the American Express Travel Franchise in Congo. Gessye Ginelle Safou-Mat is currently volunteering at LDI Africa in the program management of the 2015 Fellows.

Gbenga Ogunjimi (LDI Africa Founder CEO) Introduces LDI Africa’s Fellowship Program

Welcome to LDI Africa! This is our introductory blog post, where we hope to provide you with a wider understanding of our mission which is to “Advance socio-economic development in Africa by deploying the talents of young African Diaspora and youth citizens from outside of the continent to nonprofits and small businesses that are struggling to attract skilled professionals”. Stand up, jump on one foot, and shout out for what you’re about to hear! LDI Africa demands an elimination of brain drain.

What is brain drain?  Brain drain is a result of educated Africans leaving their native countries for a higher education. Although these Africans often receive an advanced degree, their intellect may not transcend back to Africa (if they choose not to return). The influx of Africans to the United States has increased exponentially in the last 50 years, according to the Migration Policy Institute, resulting in a void left in Africa. In fact, according to 2010 U.S. Census data, the percentage of African immigrants was at 3.5% in 2005, and rose to 6.6% of the foreign-born population in 2008. This has demonstrated a clear increase in African immigration to the U.S.

Many young, eager, and bright Africans leave their respective countries in order to pursue a more advanced education. For many, the opportunity to study in Western countries provides a more rigorous and well-rounded educational experience. Yet, upon achieving an advanced degree, it is important to remember ones roots. Many students who leave for studies do not return.  This is why LDI Africa strives to invite young professionals from the African diaspora back to Africa, encouraging them to utilize their education and acquired skills, while also developing new skills.

One of the most important skills that a fellowship service experience with LDI Africa will provide: a cultivation for volunteerism, and a fire in the belly for continuing to serve Africa in future professional endeavors. Yet, there have been recent efforts to bring more educational opportunities for young scholars in Africa. This New York Times article, Local Options Help Slow Africa’s Brain Drain, provides anecdotes of Africans seeking an advanced degree.

“‘I have two kids. My youngest is still living at home, and so I needed a program where I didn’t have to quit my job or leave my family,’” is the concern of many who have established lives in Africa.

Luckily, new programs such as the executive M.B.A. from Ceibs, a joint venture sponsored by the European Commission, the Chinese ministry of foreign trade, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University in Accra, Ghana, or Carnegie Mellon University’s new program in Kigali, Rwanda, are providing new options for young professional in Africa. Ceibs Director, Kwaku Atuahene-Gima, expressed his desire to stop the brain drain. “The conditions here mirror China 30 years ago, when if you wanted a top quality business education you had to travel overseas. Many of them didn’t come back,” he said.

It encourages us that others are recognizing the necessity of increased educational opportunities in Africa. This creates excitement for LDI Africa’s vision, and for the whole continent.

Amanda Lotz