The AFC Fellowship — delivered through the Climate Challenge Leadership Programme — is a leadership development initiative run by the not-for-profit Common Purpose in partnership with the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC). Each annual cohort brings around 40 emerging leaders from Africa, the wider global South, and the global North together online to build Common Purpose’s “Leading Beyond Authority” capability and to tackle a shared climate challenge: reforming carbon markets to protect and expand forests, grasslands, peatlands, and mangroves across Africa and the global South. The 2025 cohort selected 45 leaders from over 700 applications across 29 countries. Now in its third year, more than 90 fellows have taken part.
Benefits & funding
- Participation is sponsored by AFC — there is no programme fee for selected fellows, and the programme is delivered fully online, so there are no travel or accommodation costs.
- Four months of structured leadership development (November to February) using Common Purpose’s experiential, design-thinking “Innoventure” process.
- Builds the ability to “Lead Beyond Authority” and work across boundaries, sectors, and borders.
- A cross-border peer network of roughly 40 leaders drawn from around 29 countries, plus access to the ongoing Common Purpose Fellows community.
- Collaborative work on a real climate challenge, culminating in a final presentation to senior decision-makers.
- Note: no salary or living stipend is provided.
Eligibility
- Emerging leaders with at least five years of professional experience.
- Open to applicants from across Africa, the wider global South, and the global North — no nationality restriction.
- Highly motivated individuals committed to positive change who can demonstrate leadership potential or capability.
- Interest in climate issues and in addressing the imbalance between the global North and South.
- No specific degree is required; selection is based on experience and motivation.
Application process
- 1Apply online via the Common Purpose website once the annual cycle opens (the 2025 cycle opened in early August).
- 2Submit an application setting out your leadership experience and what you bring to the climate challenge.
- 3Successful applicants are accepted onto the Climate Challenge Leadership Programme and join the AFC Fellowship cohort.
Program timeline
6 August 2025
Applications opened for the 2025 cohort
21 September 2025
Application deadline (2025 cycle)
Programme runs online over four months, ending in a final presentation to senior leaders
November 2025 – February 2026
Next cycle expected to reopen (dates to be confirmed on the official page)
Mid-2026