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”

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.

Germaine Touna Mama holds a Master in Marketing from the University of Cape Town, South Africa and a certificate in Digital Media Management from Georgetown University. She traveled to the United States of America three years ago where she started working as a Social Media and Communications Strategist Freelancer for companies such as Afro fusion cuisine, MTIDI. Germaine also worked as a Sale Associate for TJMaxx, a US retail company, where she mastered customer service and expertise in dealing with different demographics. Germaine was recently appointed as LDI Africa’s Social Media and Development Manager; she is responsible for the organization’s social media, development and engagement strategy.

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

Bisi Oyelade is a licensed attorney with over 5 years experience in commercial litigation and transactions, international business, international trade and anti-corruption advisory. He holds a Masters of Law (LL.M) degree in International Legal Studies from American University in Washington D.C. where he specialized in international business and trade law and a Bachelor’s of Law (LL.B) degree from the University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria. He was recently appointed as LDI Africa’s Program Manager.

On a bus en route to North Harvard, I sat eagerly preparing LDI Africa’s business pitch while identifying which entrepreneurs and panelists to reach out to at the Harvard Business School’s Annual African Business Conference.

After finding my way through Harvard’s heavily trafficked streets, I arrived at the Business School’s humble and historic campus. To my delight, I found myself in the right place; in a room full of elegantly dressed people who looked and sounded nothing like me.

Friday night’s networking event was full of young professionals – novice or seasoned in their respective professions, they all eagerly handed out business cards, spoke of their ambitions, while warming up to New England’s frosty weather with delicious h’eurdurves and cocktails. I crossed paths with many a Ghanaian and Nigerian that night. The younger of the like, those pursuing MBA’s in the United States, told me they had heard of LDI Africa. While others who listened to me speak of our services were eager to learn more about our fellowship program.

The prospect of recruiting more MBA’s to our inaugural class of Fellows fueled my conversations, but it was not until I stumbled into a conversation, discussing with older professionals social enterprise investing and competition, that I began to internalize the gravity of each introduction and motive communicated that night. I gleaned one lesson from that night – you get very few chances to impress a potential ally, so execute, and execute rapidly. Business cards in hand, occupied with self-reflective thoughts of how LDI Africa can do better than any other volunteer service enterprise, I left exhausted and better prepared for Saturday’s lecture series.

In spite of the meticulous preparation that the planning committee had put into Saturday’s keynote speeches, the sector-specific panel discussions were what fueled constructive debate and got people’s pens moving. I sat in lectures that addressed VC capital acquisition and the dos and don’ts for entrepreneurs. The most memorable panelists were: Jeremy Hondara of Rocket Internet and Jumia, Walter Lamberson of Open Capital Advisers, Gregory Rockson of M-Sika, and Ehgosa Omoigui of Echo VC. Amidst the hundreds of nuggets of useful advice, espoused in each panel, the following statements carried the most weights and significance to those involved in the start-up and early stage investment game:

· Competition in Africa is unorganized, meaning that most markets are ripe for the picking

· Execution and delivery innovation are what funders seek in potential partners

· African SME’s and social enterprises need professionals who know how to scale; they need professionals that can move fast and never tire out

· Mentorship programs and the cross-pollination of knowledge will foster an environment for skilled professionals to thrive and grow African businesses

· Management teams who know how to build up their employees and make tactful use of resource is imperative in early-stage success

All of the above – meeting with aspiring professionals and seasoned veterans, reevaluating LDI Africa’s offer and vision, and the valuable lessons from the lecture series – have further fortified my conviction that LDI Africa’s mission will create partnerships and pipelines that foster social and economic development on the Continent via talent acquisition and retention; mentorship; and scalable and profitable growth among Africa’s risk takers and lenders.

Carlos Morla

John-Ubong Silas

My experience with the Convergence Partners team was great. In month two, I had a better idea of the team dynamic and culture. I felt very welcomed; and integrated well with the diverse team. The level of humility displayed by the Chairman and Founding patterns amazed me as they treated everyone like equals and with respect. The work environment was professional, productive and fun at times. The team was young at heart and they all seemed very close, like a family. One of my observations that stood out the most was the passion expressed by the executive for ICT infrastructure development in Africa. I am very grateful for the knowledge they have imparted. Also, the firm offered me an opportunity to receive executive level training from SAVCA on PE and VC in Africa. The training was attended by private and public sector organizations.

Socially, I ventured out a little. I visited some places outside of ‘Sandton’ like 7th Street in Melville and the atmosphere reminded me of U St. in Washington DC. I also planned a short visit to Alexandria (Alex) Township. Prior to the visit, I heard intimidating stories about the place but once there,  I found that the people seemed peaceful and happy. Nevertheless, I was shocked by the disparity of wealth between Sandton and Alex; a short distance of less than 20min apart.

Another impactful experience occurred during a volunteer event with a portfolio company. Seacom held a Career Day at Tembisa Secondary High School, as part of its Corporate Social Investment program. Our goal was to provide information to Grades 8 – 12 students on career paths and give them advice on their éducation. Most of the students we spoke with had no plans for higher education mainly due to financial challenges and the disadvantages of living in a Township. Some students were determined to obtain a better éducation if and only they obtained scholarships. The only message that I could impart is my experience in the United States as a young immigrant child from a low-income household—no matter the obstacles, I didn’t give up and I often had to be creative to find opportunities for myself. However, I know I was fortunate to grow up in a country full of posibilities where student loans and employment were accessible. I told them the best decision I ever made was to take my studies seriously. I also advised the students that it takes lot of hard work, determination, and sacrifices to fulfill its dream; but they will see graduelle see results. There are many different paths to reach the same goalt; they just need to believe in themselves and have a solide plan. Finally, I advised students to reach out to people or programs that will connect them to professionals in their communities to learn  about their careers.

Emma Fofanah

The transition from working to the United States to Nigeria was quick. After going through the “experience” that is Lagos airport, I settled into my hotel accommodations. The place was very comfortable and had a lot of the amenities that I would expect from a quality hotel in the US – including high speed internet service. In the morning, I was greeted by Ayo – my Olashore International School liaison. It turns out that Ayo had spent most of his time in the UK and had recently returned to Nigeria. We chatted about his experiences returning to Nigeria and adjusting to the transition both professionally and personally. I got some good insights from his perspective.

A key point he mentioned was him balancing the need to incorporate certain best practices to his work environment without incurring negative feedback from colleagues. A reason for this could be that the proposed best practice did not work in Nigeria. Something that he experienced early on in his return. Another thing I gained from watching his interactions, was the noteworthy role age played in his professional exchanges. I knew that respect for your elders was an important culture value demonstrated socially in Nigeria. However, I had not thought of prior to my arrival how this would play out in the professional sphere. As me and Ayo were in the same age group, I recognized that this would be something that I would definitely needed to be mindful of during my tenure.

My second day in Lagos was spent going to a press conference on secondary and post-secondary marketing for schools in Nigeria. Then followed by attending an Association of International School Educators of Nigeria (AISEN) meeting. You can say I hit the ground running. Both events were informative and provided some needed context to the space in which I would be inhabiting for the next year. My next destination would be to the rural location of Olashore International School.

John-Ubong Silas