By Sadam Mubale
A new pan-African fellowship aimed at preparing young people for global careers has been launched, offering access to affordable, U.S.-accredited degrees and mentorship from top African leaders.
The NextGen Africa Workforce Fellowship, introduced by Nexford University, combines a fully online Bachelor of Business Administration with structured mentorship and leadership exposure.
The programme brings together a network of high-profile mentors, including former heads of state, global executives and policy leaders, among them Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Oby Ezekwesili and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
Organisers say the initiative is designed to address the gap between education and employability, as millions of young Africans enter the job market each year with limited access to competitive opportunities.
Speaking at the launch in Kampala, Nexford University CEO Fadl Al Tarzi said the focus is on equipping young people with practical skills and exposure needed to compete in a changing global economy.
Participants will study online while gaining access to mentorship and industry insights, with the curriculum incorporating digital and AI-related skills aligned to current workforce demands.
To support access, Nexford has committed $5 million in scholarships, reducing participation costs to about $60 per month.
The university says its model has seen most graduates move into employment or advance in their careers after completing their studies.
