Big Bets Fellowship: Africa – Powering Africa’s Leadership to Create Universal Opportunity The 2026 Big Bets Fellowship: Africa is now open for applications, offering visionary African leaders the chance to join a community dedicated to creating systemic change and expanding opportunity across the continent. By joining the Big Bets Community, applicants gain access to a link for the formal application form and become part of a network that supports bold, innovative approaches to solving Africa’s most pressing challenges. A Transformational Fellowship for a Better Future The Big Bets Fellowship is grounded in a long-standing commitment to making opportunity universal. The program equips leaders with the mindset, skills, and networks required to realize ambitious visions and drive meaningful, scalable change in their communities. Each year, a diverse cohort of interdisciplinary changemakers is selected, united by their shared dedication to systemic solutions that improve lives, expand opportunity, and tackle the challenges faced by historically underserved populations. In 2026, the Fellowship will focus specifically on leaders across the African continent who are creating innovative systems, policies, and solutions to build a prosperous and sustainable future for all. Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its history. It is home to the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, brimming with creativity, entrepreneurial energy, and resilience. These qualities represent a tremendous force for global progress, yet they must be strategically channeled to ensure broad, equitable benefits. By investing in Africa’s leadership now, the Big Bets Fellowship aims to strengthen the capacities of individuals and organizations capable of driving systemic change. Fellows are supported in developing entrepreneurial solutions, resilient systems, and policies that not only fuel economic growth but also prioritize stability, sustainability, and equitable opportunity for communities that need it most. The Fellowship seeks leaders who are ready to reimagine existing systems or introduce groundbreaking approaches that harness the collective know-how, assets, and energies of their communities. Through mentorship, access to networks, and immersive programming, Fellows are empowered to take bold steps that can transform sectors, regions, and systems across the continent. Program Dates and Structure The 2026 Fellowship program is structured to combine virtual engagement with an intensive in-person convening: Onboarding Call: Week of May 4th, 2026 Virtual Programming: Weekly 90-minute online sessions from May to August In-person Convening at The Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Center: Week of August 23rd, 2026 Amplification Moment: Fall 2026 Travel expenses for the in-person convening are fully covered by The Rockefeller Foundation, though Fellows are responsible for securing any necessary visas. This combination of virtual learning, cohort interaction, and in-person immersion is designed to foster deep engagement, collaboration, and personal growth among Fellows. Fellow Selection Criteria While there is no single profile for a Big Bets Fellow, candidates who thrive in the program typically demonstrate: Impactful Experience: 5–15 years of professional, entrepreneurial, or community-based work driving measurable change. Regional Engagement: Strong connection to their region, evidenced through lived experience, professional contributions, or community involvement. Fresh Perspective: A distinctive approach to addressing pressing challenges, informed by both personal and professional insights. Proven Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives, unite diverse stakeholders, and achieve shared objectives. Collaborative Mindset: Curiosity, community-driven engagement, and a commitment to contributing to the Fellowship network. Courage and Boldness: A willingness to challenge the status quo, take calculated risks, and advance innovative solutions with lasting impact. Applicants must be members of the Big Bets Community to be eligible. Membership connects candidates to peers, mentors, and thought leaders who can support their professional growth and enhance the potential of their projects. Project Selection Criteria A defining feature of the Fellowship is its focus on “Big Bets”—bold, concerted efforts that aim to fundamentally solve problems rather than make incremental improvements. Projects may include social innovations, policy experiments, community-based initiatives, or technology-driven solutions. All projects must demonstrate potential to: Foster regional and international collaboration through new models of cooperation among African nations, regional bodies, and global partners, thereby strengthening Africa’s leadership on the global stage. Accelerate decentralized renewable energy deployment in underserved communities, leveraging the continent’s solar and wind resources to close the energy poverty gap and support green industrialization. Advance public health and climate resilience by strengthening systems to prevent, predict, detect, and respond to disease outbreaks or extreme heat impacts, prioritizing vulnerable populations. Transform food systems to enhance nutrition and food security, including support for smallholder farmers or programs providing school meals. Strengthen markets and trade systems to increase regional economic integration and expand opportunities for historically excluded participants. Create enabling conditions for impact across the above areas, with emphasis on artificial intelligence, data access, and policy innovation to support African-led solutions for underserved communities. Application Timeline The application process for the 2026 Big Bets Fellowship is as follows: Application Launch: November 10th, 2025 Eligibility and Pre-Application Deadline: December 1st, 2025 Finalists Invited to Submit Full Application and Schedule Interviews: Early January 2026 Full Application Deadline: Late January 2026 Interviews Conducted: January 2026 Fellows Announced: Late February 2026 By participating in the Big Bets Fellowship, African leaders have the opportunity to transform challenges into solutions, foster regional collaboration, and shape systems that ensure prosperity, equity, and resilience for communities across the continent. The work of Fellows flips the traditional narrative: Africa is not only a site of challenges but also a powerhouse of innovative solutions capable of addressing global problems through local ingenuity. Nathalia Arcencio De Marchi dos Santos, Manager of Convenings and Networks at The Rockefeller Foundation, highlights, “The work of these Fellows flips the script: the Global South is not just a hotspot for challenges, but a powerhouse for innovative solutions.” By empowering Africa’s next generation of systemic thinkers and changemakers, the Big Bets Fellowship: Africa seeks to unlock transformative potential that can shape a better future for all. APPLY HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.