African Leadership Academy (ALA) 2027 for young Leaders across Africa (Two-Year Pre-University Program) – financial assistance available.

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Application Deadline: January 15, 2027

Applications are now open for the 2027 African Leadership Academy. African Leadership Academy seeks to transform Africa by developing a powerful network of young leaders who will work together to address Africa’s greatest challenges, achieve extraordinary social impact, and accelerate the continent’s growth trajectory.

African Leadership Academy offers a two-year residential program for teenagers: the ALA Diploma Program. This tight-knit, pan-African community empowers each student with the skills and mindsets required for transformative leadership. ALA’s curriculum goes well beyond academic theory, fostering critical inquiry, entrepreneurial leadership, and cross-cultural competence. We develop well-rounded young people who are equipped to navigate and excel in an increasingly complex world.

Since ALA opened its doors in September 2008, more than 1,800 young leaders from 47 African countries have studied at ALA. Representing a wide variety of backgrounds, these young leaders embody the promise of the continent and have demonstrated incredible potential, a strong belief in the continent’s future, and a keen awareness of their role in shaping that future.

ALA’s young leaders are trailblazers, innovators, changemakers, enthusiasts, creators, and authors of their own future.

Requirements

• African Leadership Academy admits 130 young leaders yearly.
• You must be born after September 1, 2007 to apply for the ALA Class of 2027

Nomination Process

• If you know a high school student, as young as 13 years old, who has demonstrated leadership potential in your community,
• ALA encourage you to nominate them using the form below. By doing so, you give them the opportunity to join ALA’s diverse community of young leaders from across Africa and around the world.

Selection Criteria

• The ALA admissions process is designed to assess each candidate’s leadership potential and compatibility with our unique diploma program.
• The ALA approach is holistic, taking into account various factors such as intellectual readiness, courage, perseverance, ownership, and interdependence.

Intellectual Readiness
Are you intellectually prepared to step into a rigorous environment that will require you to push the boundaries of your own learning?

Courage & Perseverance
Do you show the motivation to take initiative and rigorously follow through on the opportunities that matter most to you?

Ownership
Do you “drive the bus” in your leadership journey? Do you envision a destination and have the self-belief to take charge of your journey towards impact?

Interdependence
Do you recognize that transformation is the product of work with and through others?

Financial Aid

Since its inception, ALA has been committed to making the diploma program accessible for all successful applicants. Everyone who applies and is then admitted to ALA, regardless of background or nationality, is eligible to receive significant financial assistance.

97% of ALA students receive financial assistance.

Everyone who applies and is then admitted to ALA, regardless of financial background or nationality, is eligible to receive significant financial assistance in the form of scholarships towards studying at ALA and accessing membership to our lifelong network. The cost of tuition at ALA is $30,900 per year. African Leadership Academy fees are all-inclusive, including tuition, accommodation, meals, and uniforms.

Application Timeline

• July 15, 2026: Applications open for the class of 2026
• October 15, 2026: Early Decision deadline
• January 15, 2027: Regular Decision deadline
• January 2027: Early Decision results are released for the entry class of 2027
• April 2027: Regular Decision results are released for the entry class of 2027

For any questions? Email: [email protected]

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the African Leadership Academy