The Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) Next Generation Resource Governance Leaders Program 2026 is a competitive pan-African internship based in Ghana. The program is designed to equip young Africans (under 32 years of age, residing in Africa) with the skills needed to influence energy and extractive policy. ACEP provides a generous stipend, lunch, decent accommodation for international participants, and an approved return ticket to Ghana. Applicants must possess relevant academic qualifications in fields like economics, engineering, or public policy, and demonstrate strong analytical and writing skills. Applications close on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) Next Generation Resource Governance Leaders Program Summary Table
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Host Institution | Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) |
| Host Country | Ghana |
| Category | Internship |
| Eligible Countries | African residents (Pan-African focus) |
| Target Group | Young Africans (not exceeding 32 years) |
| Reward | Generous Stipend |
| Focus | Energy and Extractive Governance Policy |
| Duration | Program duration not specified |
| Deadline | January 15, 2026 (11:59 PM GMT) |
ACEP Next Generation Resource Governance Leaders
The Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) Next Generation Resource Governance Leaders Program is a highly competitive internship designed to cultivate a new cohort of ethical, skilled, and impactful African leaders. This initiative addresses the crucial need for transparent and responsible governance of Africa’s vast energy and extractive resources to ensure they drive inclusive and sustainable development.
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Participants gain hands-on experience, policy exposure, and intensive leadership training within a real-world policy environment. The NextGen Leaders are responsible for delivering timely and quality evidence-based policy analysis, training, and advocacy through strong collaborations, positioning ACEP as a thought-leader in Africa’s energy and extractive policy space.
Key Responsibilities for NextGen Leaders:
- Contribute to writing research reports and policy briefs on the African energy and extractives sector.
- Support stakeholder engagement activities on ACEP’s outputs and policy positions.
- Contribute to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of annual programs.
- Support organizational development and resource mobilization efforts (including grants and proposal writing).
- Contribute to program management, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities.
Benefits and Support
ACEP provides generous support to ensure that successful applicants can focus entirely on their development and contributions to the program.
Tier 1: Financial & Logistics Support (Fully Supported)
- Generous Stipend: Provision of a generous monthly stipend and lunch for the entire duration of the program.
- Accommodation: Decent accommodation provided specifically for international NextGen Leaders moving to Ghana for the program.
- Travel: An approved return ticket from the NextGen Leader’s home country to Ghana.
Tier 2: Professional Development
- Coaching and Mentorship: Structured coaching, mentorship, and peer support from seasoned professionals and thought-leaders in African resource governance.
- Training and Development: Dedicated opportunities for targeted training and professional skill development aligned with ACEP’s needs and the participant’s career goals.
Tier 3: Skill Development and Exposure
- Policy Exposure: Gain direct, hands-on experience in a real-world policy environment, contributing to policy briefs and research reports.
- Creativity and Innovation: Creating room for creativity and innovation in solving complex energy and extractive sector problems.
- Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement: Direct involvement in advocacy efforts and supporting stakeholder engagement activities across Africa.
Eligibility Requirements for ACEP Next Generation Leaders Program 2026
The program seeks young, passionate, and academically strong individuals who are committed to governance and development in Africa.
- Age and Residency: Must be a young African residing in Africa, aged not exceeding 32 years at the time of application.
- Passion and Focus: Must demonstrate a strong passion for ensuring the continent’s vast energy and extractive resources contribute to sustainable and inclusive development.
- Academic Qualifications: Must possess relevant academic qualifications, preferably in any or a combination of:
- Economics (including energy economics)
- Engineering (petroleum/electrical)
- Oil and gas management
- Public policy, Law, Political economy
- Development studies, Development finance
- Project management, Communications, Statistics, Mathematics, etc.
- Analytical Skills: Must have adequate knowledge of relevant qualitative and quantitative analytical tools (e.g., R, Stata, Eviews, NVivo, Atlas.ti etc.).
- Communication Skills: Must possess good writing skills with clarity and logical flow of thought.
- Professional Attributes: Must demonstrate the ability to multitask, prioritize, meet multiple deadlines, exhibit good interpersonal skills and team spirit, think creatively, take initiative, and show a strong sense of ownership and leadership.
How to Apply for ACEP Next Generation Leaders Program 2026 (Step by Step)
The application process requires applicants to complete the official online form and upload a single compiled PDF document.
- Prepare Single PDF Document: Gather all required documents (CV, academic certificates, etc.) and compile them into a single, comprehensive PDF file.
- Access Application Form: Navigate to the official ACEP application page for the NextGen Leaders Program.
- Complete Questions: Provide complete and accurate answers to all questions asked within the application form.
- Upload Submission: Upload the single compiled PDF file containing all required documents in the appropriate section of the online application form.
Application Deadline: January 15, 2026 (11:59 PM GMT)
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the maximum age limit for applicants to the program?
The applicant must be a young African residing in Africa, aged not exceeding 32 years at the time of application.
2. Is the ACEP NextGen Leaders Program open to international applicants?
Yes, the program is a competitive pan-African internship open to young Africans residing anywhere in Africa, not just in Ghana.
3. What financial support does ACEP provide to participants?
ACEP provides a generous stipend, covers lunch, and provides a return ticket from the NextGen Leader’s home country to Ghana.
4. Is accommodation provided for participants?
Yes, decent accommodation is provided specifically for international NextGen Leaders joining the program in Ghana.
5. What is the final deadline for the application submission?
The application deadline is Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM GMT.
6. What types of academic qualifications are considered relevant for this program?
Relevant fields include economics, engineering (petroleum/electrical), public policy, law, political economy, development studies, project management, and statistics, among others.
7. Do applicants need knowledge of specific analytical tools?
Yes, applicants should have adequate knowledge of relevant qualitative and quantitative analytical tools such as R, Stata, Eviews, NVivo, or Atlas.ti.
8. What is the required file format for uploading application documents?
Applicants are required to compile and upload all necessary documents as a single PDF file.
9. What is the primary focus or goal of the program?
The primary goal is to equip young Africans with the skills to shape the future of energy and extractive governance on the continent.
10. What are the key responsibilities of a NextGen Leader?
Key responsibilities include contributing to research reports and policy briefs, supporting stakeholder engagement, and contributing to program management and resource mobilization efforts.
