Towards South North Dialogue
The AFC Fellowship brings together emerging leaders from across Africa, the wider global South, and the global North.
The AFC Fellowship is both a leadership development programme and a place for dialogue and exchange between leaders of the rising generation across the global South and North. The focus is our shared climate challenge and other key global issues. It will strengthen the capacity of a cohort of dynamic emerging leaders who, as they progress in their careers, will build bridges between the global North and South and find new ways to address the climate crisis.
The AFC Fellowship is a collaboration between Common Purpose and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC). This is the third year of the AFC fellowship, and builds on the success of the previous two years. To date over 90 Fellows from around the world have taken part in the Fellowship.
of participants would recommend the Fellowship to another person
of participants feel better prepared to be a bridge-builder between the global North and South
of participants feel better prepared to have a greater impact in their organization/community
"For far too long, Africa has been viewed by the rest of the world as a place of ‘problems’...I wish to propose a rethink...I believe Africa holds the solutions to many of the fundamental problems afflicting the world today."
To join the AFC Fellowship, the first step is to be accepted onto the Climate Challenge Leadership Programme. Successful applicants will join a cohort of 40 people from different backgrounds and sectors and from around the world. The Climate Challenge Leadership Programme comprises two key elements:
You will be introduced to the Common Purpose thought leadership of 'Leading Beyond Authority' - the ability to cross boundaries and deliver results outside of your direct circle of control. Essential to tackling any complex challenge.
You will address the challenge "How can the world reform carbon markets to incentivize the preservation and expansion of forests, grasslands, peatlands, and mangroves in Africa and across the global South in the interest of achieving global net zero."
Through the Common Purpose 'Innoventure' process, based on design thinking principles, you will explore the challenge in a creative and dynamic way. The final stage of this process will be a presentation by you, to a panel of senior leaders, on your ideas to meet the challenge.
Once you have successfully completed the programme you will become a Fellow and can connect and work with Fellows from your own year, and from previous cohorts through Fellows gatherings.
Successful applicants will be from different sectors, backgrounds, countries, and communities across Africa, the wider global South, and the global North.
They will be:
"The global North and the global South have common agendas when it comes to climate change – we just need to come together and collaborate to do this. We all want to do some good – whether it’s taking up a small sustainable project, or leading climate policy change - collaboration from all levels is a must."
"The AFC Fellowship has been a transformative experience, deepening my understanding of carbon markets, climate change, and leadership—particularly the power of leading beyond authority. It has equipped me with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to influence change and drive impactful solutions in the Republic of South Sudan and most importantly, for vulnerable communities across Africa and the global South."
Participants will:
Enhance their ability to Lead Beyond Authority equipping them to work across boundaries; a pre-requisite to solving any complex problem
Grow new networks by connecting with diverse participants, contributors and speakers from the global North and South who they would otherwise never meet
Stretch their analytical and creative skills by exposing them to a new approach to innovation
Develop their influencing skills by putting them in front of senior decision-makers to present their findings
Generate new ideas and approaches to meet this hugely important challenge
"The AFC Fellowship was such a vibrant experience; it challenged my assumptions while also highlighting my strengths. I left each session feeling more inspired and curious than before and look forward to applying these learnings in both my personal and professional life."
"Being a part of the AFC Fellowship has been an eye-opening journey. It has provided me with a platform to collaborate with brilliant minds across Africa, equipping me with the tools and perspectives needed to tackle pressing climate challenges. The experience has been both inspiring and transformative, driving me to turn innovative ideas into tangible solutions."
"I learned an incredible amount and am very thankful for the opportunity to connect with passionate, intelligent individuals and to discuss the complex issues facing us today. Their energy and expertise made me more optimistic and energized about solving these challenges."
"In the Climate Challenge Programme, I’ve found more than just a platform to address climate issues; I’ve discovered a community of visionaries. Together, we’re not just talking about change – we’re building it, one sustainable idea at a time."
If you would like to attend, please register using the link below:
Webinar #1: 3 September 2025 - 11:00 London / 13:00 Nairobi / 11:00 Abuja / 15:30 Delhi / 18:00 Singapore
Webinar #2: 9 September 2025 - 14:00 London / 16:00 Nairobi / 12:00 Abuja / 18:30 Delhi / 21:00 Singapore
Fellowship details:
Format: Online - the sessions take place live on Zoom. Resources and learning materials are provided via our online platform which is available 24/7.
Cost: There is no cost to participants as the Fellowship is funded by Africa Finance Corporation.
Language: The Fellowship is conducted in English; participants must be proficient in written and spoken English.
A full schedule is available here
| 3 November 2025 | Online platform opens - 3 hours of independent online learning in preparation for the live sessions to follow |
| 19 November 2025, 11:00-12:30 GMT | Fellowship launch session – 1.5 hours real-time live on Zoom |
| 2, 10 & 17 December 2025, 11:00-13:00 GMT | Leading Beyond Authority - 6 hours of real-time live sessions on Zoom |
| 14-15 & 20-21 January 2026, 11:00-15:30 GMT | Climate Challenge programme - 18 hours of real-time live sessions on Zoom |
| 4 February 2026, 11:00-12:30 GMT | Learning & Action Planning session - 1.5 hours real-time live on Zoom |
| w/c 23 February 2026 | Challenge presentation to AFC |
| 11 March 2026, 10:00-12:00 | Fellows gathering - 2 hours real-time live on Zoom |
Common Purpose is a leadership development organization that specializes in cross-boundary leadership. A not-for-profit, we run programmes in over 100 cities worldwide. Founded in 1989, we have over 125,000 alumni globally. Our leadership development programmes inspire and equip people to work across boundaries. This enables them to solve complex problems in organizations and in society.
AFC was established in 2007 to be the catalyst for pragmatic infrastructure and industrial investments across Africa. AFC’s approach combines specialist industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, project development, and risk capital to address Africa’s infrastructure development needs and drive sustainable economic growth.
Eighteen years on, AFC has developed a track record as the partner of choice in Africa for investing and delivering on instrumental, high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in the core infrastructure sectors of power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications. AFC has 45 member countries and has invested over US$15 billion in 36 African countries since inception.
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