Code for Africa (CfA), in collaboration with global partners including the Kofi Annan Foundation and the European Partnership for Democracy, has launched the WanaData Fellowships 2026. This initiative aims to empower fourteen (14) African data journalists and scientists to amplify youth voices and address content gaps in digital rights, gender projects, and cybersecurity. Specifically targeting the Sahel, West Africa, and the Horn of Africa, the fellowship provides a monthly stipend of USD 250 along with technical training and mentorship. Applicants must be active WanaData members with a portfolio of published work. The application deadline for this digital rights and gender-focused fellowship is January 11, 2026.
WanaData Fellowships 2026 Summary Table
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Host Organization | Code for Africa (CfA) & WanaData Initiative |
| Target Regions | Sahel, West Africa, and Horn of Africa |
| Number of Fellowships | 14 Selected Fellows |
| Stipend Amount | USD 250 Per Month |
| Key Focus | Gender Data, Digital Rights, & Cybersecurity |
| Core Requirement | WanaData Membership (Min. 1 Year) |
| Application Deadline | January 11, 2026 |
WanaData Digitalise Youth Voices Fellowships 2026 Details
The WanaData Fellowships 2026 represent a strategic effort to “Digitalise Youth Voices in Africa” by supporting a cohort of highly skilled data storytellers and scientists. As part of a larger multi-partner initiative involving the CFI Media Development and the World Scout Bureau, the program focuses on the intersection of technology, gender, and civic engagement.
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Fellows are tasked with producing high-quality data-driven content that addresses the African Union Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection. By providing a monthly stipend and professional mentorship, the WanaData Initiative ensures that these 14 fellows have the resources to document social movements, e-democracy, and human rights across the continent’s most critical regions.
Benefits and Specific Scholarship Awards of the WanaData Digitalise Youth Voices Fellowships 2026
The fellowship is structured to provide both financial relief and professional capacity building for the selected data professionals.
Tier 1: Financial Stipend & Economic Support
- Monthly Fellowship Stipend: Each of the 14 fellows receives a consistent stipend of USD 250 per month to support their research and content production.
- Resource Grant: Access to specialized data tools and premium technical resources provided by Code for Africa’s Academy Team.
Tier 2: Technical Training & Mentorship
- Hands-on Mastery: Intensive technical training sessions on modern data tools, visualization techniques, and data-driven storytelling.
- One-on-One Mentorship: Individualized support from CfA’s Communities and Academy Team to refine research methodologies and gender-data projects.
Tier 3: Professional Growth & Global Networking
- Global Initiative Visibility: Fellows become part of a high-profile network involving the Kofi Annan Foundation and EPD, increasing their international professional reach.
- Ongoing Support: Continued access to the WanaData community of female data professionals for collaboration and long-term project support.
Eligibility Requirements for WanaData Digitalise Youth Voices Fellowships 2026
- Academic/Leadership: Must be a registered WanaData member with at least one (1) year of professional experience as a data scientist or journalist.
- Study Status: Applicants must possess a portfolio of published work and demonstrate experience in gender data research and digital rights.
- Visa Status: (Not applicable) Ideally, applicants should be based in the Sahel region, neighbouring West Africa, or the Horn of Africa.
- Program Admission: Candidates must be fluent in English or French (bilingualism is preferred) and agree to participate in all mentorship and outreach activities.
How to Apply for WanaData Digitalise Youth Voices Fellowships 2026 (Step by Step)
- Apply for Program: Ensure you are a registered WanaData member and submit the online application form with your professional portfolio.
- Automatic Evaluation: Initial screening checks for the 1-year experience requirement and regional proximity to the Sahel or Horn of Africa.
- Eligibility Assessment: Code for Africa (CfA) reviews the quality of published work and the applicant’s stated interest in cybersecurity and gender data.
- Notification of Award: The final 14 fellows will be notified and onboarded for the fellowship shortly after the January 11 deadline.
Application Deadline: January 11, 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is this fellowship open to men?
While WanaData is a network primarily for women, the initiative focuses on gender-data projects; interested applicants should check specific WanaData membership criteria.
2. What is the monthly stipend amount?
Selected fellows receive a monthly stipend of USD 250.
3. Do I need to be a journalist to apply?
No, the fellowship is open to both data storytellers (journalists, media creators) and data scientists.
4. What are the priority regions for this fellowship?
Preference is given to applicants from the Sahel region, neighbouring West Africa, and the Horn of Africa.
5. What is the minimum experience required?
You must have at least one year of professional experience and a portfolio of published work.
6. Do I need to speak both English and French?
Fluency in either English or French is required, but being bilingual is considered a major advantage.
7. What kind of topics will I be researching?
Topics include cybersecurity, personal data protection, e-democracy, SDG16, and human rights in the digital space.
8. Is this a full-time position?
The fellowship is a stipend-based program designed to support your work as a journalist or scientist, often alongside your existing professional duties.
9. What organizations are involved in this initiative?
Partners include Code for Africa, the Kofi Annan Foundation, CFI Media Development, and the European Partnership for Democracy.
10. When is the application deadline?
Applications for the WanaData Fellowships 2026 close on January 11, 2026.
