2026 Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Program For African Graduates (Fully Funded)
Apply for 2026 Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Program – a fully funded twelve months fellowship for African public health professionals.
2026 Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Program for Africans
The Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Programme represents one of Africa’s most prestigious fully funded opportunities for senior public health professionals.
Launched by the African Union Commission through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in partnership with the Kofi Annan Foundation, this transformative fellowship is designed to cultivate the next generation of public health leaders who will shape Africa’s health future.
Named after the distinguished former United Nations Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Kofi Atta Annan, this program embodies excellence, visionary leadership, and a commitment to advancing health systems across the African continent.
Program Overview
The programme welcomes senior public health professionals from African Union Member States who will contribute to implementing a new public health order for Africa and mentor future generations of public health leaders. Since its launch on May 25, 2020, the fellowship has graduated 59 Fellows from over 20 AU Member States, with an additional 25 Fellows currently in training from 19 Member States.
The impact of this initiative has been remarkable. Alumni are now leading national programs, replicating leadership initiatives within their institutions, and serving in government positions, including cabinet-level appointments. This growing network continues to shape healthcare governance, forge transnational partnerships, author influential publications, and drive public health reforms across Africa.
What Makes This Fellowship Unique?
The Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Programme stands apart as a comprehensive, fully funded opportunity that combines rigorous academic training with practical leadership development. The fellowship supports 12 months of high-level professional development in advanced public health leadership, including skills in health diplomacy, change management, and influencing policy.
Fellows receive world-class mentorship from experienced experts across Africa and the diaspora, equipping them with competencies to strategize, manage, and lead transformative public health programs.
The curriculum is designed to develop leaders capable of navigating the complex landscape of public health practice while maintaining positive, sustainable impact.
Key Program Benefits (Fully Funded)
The fellowship offers an exceptional benefits package that removes all financial barriers to participation:
Financial Coverage
Africa CDC provides all learning and development materials and covers all costs associated with the fellowship, including travel, daily allowance, and insurance during residential placements.
Fellows are also supported with relevant software for online learning, ensuring they have the technological tools needed for success.
Skills Development
By program completion, Fellows will have developed:
- Competent leadership styles that influence and empower others to achieve ambitious multi-dimensional health goals
- Ability to frame and develop viable strategic visions for bold yet attainable health outcomes
- Well-rounded globally competent leadership with attributes such as vision, resilience, flexibility, and efficiency
- Capacity to steer complex public health environments to achieve and maintain positive impact
- Superior skills in negotiation, health policy, partnerships, and health diplomacy
- Enhanced personal leadership awareness, career clarity, and professional resilience
Networking and Mentorship
Fellows join an elite network of public health leaders across Africa. They are matched with experienced mentors and coaches who provide continued support throughout their learning journey.
This network has proven invaluable, with alumni collaborating on cross-border initiatives, policy reforms, and innovative health solutions.
Program Structure and Duration
The fellowship runs for 12 months and combines multiple learning modalities:
Residential Training
Fellows participate in eight weeks of institutional residential placements conducted as a cohort. These intensive sessions provide opportunities for deep learning, peer collaboration, and hands-on experience with leading public health institutions.
Work-Based Learning
For the remainder of the training period, Fellows continue their regular work responsibilities in their home countries while completing assigned courses and implementing their leadership challenge projects. This blended approach ensures that learning is immediately applicable to real-world contexts.
Leadership Challenge Project
Each Fellow designs and implements a feasible leadership challenge project within the 12-month fellowship period. This project addresses a specific public health challenge in their context and demonstrates their ability to drive meaningful change.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the 2026 Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Programme, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Basic Requirements
- Be a citizen of an African Union Member State
- Possess a postgraduate degree (Master’s or higher) in a relevant field of public health
- Have 10 years of professional experience after gaining a master’s degree in any field of public health
- Be in full-time employment in any area of public health within a public or private institution in Africa
- Demonstrate a good track record or potential for effective public health leadership with ability to positively impact public health outcomes
Professional Background
Applicants may have backgrounds in various public health disciplines, including but not limited to:
- Sexual and Reproductive Health (especially encouraged for 2026 cohort)
- Public Mental Health (especially encouraged for 2026 cohort)
- One Health
- Human Medicine
- Veterinary/Animal Health
- Environmental Health
- Health Economics
- Health Finance
- Health Policy
- Epidemiology
- Public Health Administration
The program particularly encourages applications from women in senior government positions and staff within National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) and Ministries of Health.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a complete online application including:
Required Documents
- Employer Support Letter: A formal letter from your current employer confirming employment and guaranteeing adequate time to participate in the fellowship, including attendance at the full eight weeks of residential experience.
- Letters of Recommendation: Two letters from reputable professional referees who can speak to your leadership potential and professional achievements.
- Personal Statement (Maximum 400 words): A compelling statement providing evidence of your commitment to public health in Africa, detailing:
- Your leadership experience and professional attainment
- Your vision of effective public health leadership in Africa and its future impact
- How you would champion public health initiatives across the continent
- Leadership Challenge Project Proposal (Maximum 400 words): A detailed proposal outlining a feasible leadership project you will implement during the 12-month fellowship, including:
- Project title
- Description of the challenge (what it is, who is affected, and why it matters)
- Proposed strategy for addressing the challenge
- Expected outcomes and impact
Application Process
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted through the official online portal. Applications submitted via email or incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Selection Process
The selection process emphasizes equal opportunity and seeks to secure diversity across regions, professional backgrounds, and gender. Applicants are evaluated on their leadership potential, professional achievements, vision for public health in Africa, and the feasibility of their proposed leadership challenge project.
Program Resources
Prospectuses are available in multiple languages to ensure accessibility across the African Union Member States:
- English
- French (Français)
- Portuguese (Português)
- Arabic (عربي)
Download your preferred language prospectus from the official Africa CDC website.
Impact and Alumni Success Stories
The Kofi Annan Fellowship has demonstrated measurable and transformative impact across Africa’s public health landscape:
- 59 graduates from over 20 AU Member States leading health initiatives
- Alumni serving in cabinet-level positions and senior government roles
- Fellows leading transformative health programs at national and regional levels
- Alumni authoring influential publications and policy documents
- Establishment of cross-border partnerships addressing regional health challenges
- Replication of leadership programs within alumni institutions
- Active contribution to health policy reforms across multiple countries
The fellowship directly contributes to Africa’s Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda, the New Public Health Order for Africa, Agenda 2063, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Why Apply for the 2026 Kofi Annan Fellowship?
Strategic Career Advancement
This fellowship offers unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and positioning within Africa’s public health ecosystem. Alumni consistently report enhanced career trajectories, expanded professional networks, and increased influence in health policy and leadership circles.
Fully Funded Opportunity
With all costs covered, including travel, accommodation, daily allowances, insurance, and learning materials, financial constraints are eliminated, allowing you to focus entirely on your development.
Continental Impact
The program equips you with tools to drive health systems transformation not just in your country but across Africa. You’ll join a community of change-makers committed to advancing health security and sovereignty across the continent.
Mentorship from Global Experts
Access to experienced mentors and coaches from Africa and beyond provides invaluable guidance, opening doors to collaborations and opportunities that might otherwise be inaccessible.
Contribution to Africa’s Health Agenda
Your participation contributes directly to strengthening Africa’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to disease threats through science-driven policy, data, and partnerships.
Tips for a Successful Application
- Start Early: Gather all required documents well before the deadline to ensure completeness.
- Secure Employer Support: Engage your employer early in the process to obtain the necessary support letter guaranteeing your participation.
- Craft a Compelling Vision: Your personal statement should clearly articulate your leadership journey, achievements, and vision for public health in Africa.
- Design a Feasible Project: Your leadership challenge project should address a real problem, be achievable within 12 months, and demonstrate potential for significant impact.
- Choose Strong Referees: Select recommenders who know your work well and can speak authentically to your leadership potential.
- Highlight Alignment: Demonstrate how your goals align with Africa CDC’s mission and Africa’s broader health priorities.
- Review Thoroughly: Ensure your application is complete, well-written, and free of errors before submission.
About Africa CDC
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is an autonomous public health institution of the African Union. Its mandate is to strengthen Africa’s capacity and capability to prevent, detect, and respond to disease threats through science-driven policy, data, and partnerships.
Through initiatives like the Kofi Annan Fellowship, Africa CDC is building a robust pipeline of public health leaders equipped to address the continent’s most pressing health challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Programme?
The Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Programme is a fully funded, one-year fellowship offered by Africa CDC in partnership with the Kofi Annan Foundation. It supports senior public health professionals from African Union Member States in developing advanced leadership skills to transform public health systems across Africa.
2. Is the fellowship really fully funded?
Yes, the fellowship is completely funded. Africa CDC covers all learning materials, travel expenses, daily allowances, insurance during residential placements, and software needed for online learning. Fellows incur no personal costs for program participation.
3. How long does the fellowship last?
The fellowship runs for 12 months, including eight weeks of residential institutional placements and the remainder spent in your home country continuing regular work while completing coursework and implementing your leadership challenge project.
4. Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be citizens of AU Member States with a postgraduate degree in a public health-related field, 10 years of professional experience post-master’s degree, full-time employment in public health, and demonstrated leadership potential. The 2026 cohort particularly encourages applications from Sexual and Reproductive Health and Public Mental Health professionals, as well as women in senior government positions.
5. Can I apply if I’m from a non-AU member state?
No, applicants must be citizens of an African Union Member State to be eligible for the fellowship.
6. Do I need to take leave from my job to participate?
The program is designed to allow Fellows to continue their regular work responsibilities. However, you must obtain a support letter from your employer guaranteeing time to attend the eight weeks of residential training and participate in other fellowship activities.
7. What is a leadership challenge project?
The leadership challenge project is a feasible initiative that you will design and implement during the 12-month fellowship to address a specific public health challenge in your context. Your proposal (maximum 400 words) should include the project title, a description of the challenge and who it affects, your proposed strategy, and expected outcomes. The project must be achievable within the 12-month fellowship period.
8. When does the program start and what is the application deadline?
Applications for Cohort 6 are currently open with deadlines typically falling in late December or early January. It’s crucial to check the official Africa CDC website for the exact deadline and program start date, as these may vary by cohort. The program typically launches several months after the application deadline to allow time for selection and planning.
9. What kind of support will I receive during the fellowship?
Fellows receive comprehensive support including experienced mentors and coaches, access to learning materials and online platforms, financial support for travel and residential placements, networking opportunities with peers and experts across Africa, and guidance throughout the implementation of leadership challenge projects.
10. What happens after completing the fellowship?
Graduates join an influential alumni network of over 59 public health leaders from 20+ AU Member States. Alumni have gone on to serve in cabinet positions, lead national health programs, establish leadership initiatives in their institutions, author influential publications, forge cross-border partnerships, and contribute to major policy reforms.
Conclusion
The 2026 Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Programme represents an exceptional opportunity for senior public health professionals across Africa to elevate their leadership capabilities, expand their influence, and contribute meaningfully to transforming public health systems across the continent.
As a fully funded fellowship with comprehensive support, mentorship from global experts, and connection to an elite network of changemakers, this program offers career-defining benefits.
If you meet the eligibility criteria and are passionate about advancing public health in Africa, don’t miss this opportunity to join the ranks of distinguished alumni who are shaping health policy, leading transformative programs, and building a healthier future for all Africans.
