We are recruiting 120 food systems leaders in Kenya, Rwanda, and Zambia to join the African Food Fellowship, 40 for each country.
These are mid-career professionals aged between 27-50 years old, whose work is focused on any of the impact areas outlined for each country.
In Rwanda we accept applications from people working in these impact areas:
Go to the application form for Rwanda
In Kenya we accept applications from people working in these impact areas:
In Zambia we accept applications from people working in these impact areas:
Send us your application before the deadline closes on 3rd May 2026 !
Application process
- Complete the application form
- Within one week, you’ll receive confirmation that your application has been received. Apply early, as we expect a high volume of applications.
- The application deadline is 3rd May 2026 at midnight EAT. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to 90-minute group interviews. Interview dates and times will be scheduled and communicated with shortlisted candidates as early as possible.
- If your interview is successful, you will receive a formal offer to join by the end of June 2026.
- You will start your leadership journey with the Food Systems Leadership Programme (FSLP) in September 2026.
- The FSLP takes 10 months and is delivered online, with informal meetups and assignments, and visits with other Fellows, organisations and businesses. Your time investment will be an average of 4 hours per week. We shall have a three-day in-person module delivered in January 2027 and hosted in your respective countries.
- Upon completion, you’ll be awarded a Certificate from Wageningen University & Research and Wasafiri Consulting. You will then continue your leadership journey through the country networks.
Please note: The Fellowship charges a fee of USD1000 (in local currency equivalent) for the Food Systems Leadership Programme, payable in two installments.
A limited number of scholarships is available for those who can demonstrate they need it. We encourage and support participants to seek organizational scholarships.
An enrollment fee of 100 USD is charged regardless of fee or scholarship
Please note: We have teamed up with the Power for Food Partnership, coordinated by SNV and supported by the IKEA Foundation, to seek food system leaders who are championing the use of renewable energy in agriculture. 20 Fellows will be selected under this partnership and will join existing impact areas: Horticulture for Inclusive Markets in Kenya and Climate Smart Agriculture in Rwanda.
Why join?
The African Food Fellowship is a dynamic network of leaders working together on bold change to make food systems healthy, sustainable, and inclusive. Upon joining, you become a member of this network of 230+ Fellows and immediately gain access to incredible opportunities to:
- Connect: We provide a space where diverse Fellows can interact and create lasting relationships across the food system. Tap into this rich network of knowledge, skills, and connections and elevate your work. We can do more together.
- Learn: We provide a first of its kind 10-month Food Systems Leadership Programme offered by industry experts, and on-going learning opportunities to arm you with the necessary skills to improve your leadership. Learn how food systems are structured, why challenges persist, and how you can contribute to create better alternatives.
- Act: We support Fellows as they design, implement, and adapt their food systems actions. Collaborate with your peers to identify common goals and work together on new pathways that are healthy, inclusive, and sustainable. We support your work by providing access to industry experts and decision-makers, curating virtual and physical collaborative spaces, and providing platforms to share your work with wider audiences in media, policy, research, and funding spaces.
FAQ
No. We welcome applications from diverse backgrounds. Aside from academic qualifications we are interested in your demonstrable experience and passion to transform food systems in your chosen impact area.
Yes. Food system transformation is the core goal of the African Food Fellowship. We recognize that food systems actors come in diverse forms: the soil scientist, the famer, cooperative leader, the extension officer, the food producer, the policy maker, the food trade ICT platform developer, the programme manager, the food transporter, the financier, the nutritionist and the activist, among others.
No, however you must be able to demonstrate active leadership experience in your chosen impact area.
Yes. English is the medium of instruction. All programme interactions and materials will be in English.
Yes. The programme is only open to legal residents, active in the chosen country’s food syste.
No quotas, just a preference for a diverse cohort. Selection is based on merit.
A fellowship team comprised of food systems and leadership experts.
Assessment will be based on attendance, participation, weekly assignments, and final project work. We will follow an 80/20 rule where fellows are required to be present and active for at least 80% of programme duration. We are aware that life and work obligations may arise and thus have factored that in.
Yes, the African Food Fellowship is an initiative of Wageningen University & Research and Wasafiri Consulting.
This is not a formal university course. It’s a leadership fellowship. Fellows will receive a certificate at the end of the first stage of the programme called “Systems Insights”. Upon completion of the entire 10-month programme, they will become Fellows of the African Food Fellowship.
No. However, some successful who cannot raise the full fee will be awarded partial scholarships. All Fellows receive airtime and internet bundles to facilitate their participation in the virtual programme.
All fellows will be required to dedicate 4 hours per week throughout the duration of the programme.
That will be unfortunate. We would appreciate advance/immediate notice. If you must leave in the inception phase, we could offer the position to another qualified applicant. Also, if you opt in, we will maintain you in the overall fellowship network.
To advance your work transforming food systems in your country of residence. You will also be expected to maintain engagement with your peers and the Fellowship in its entirety.
No. Currently we are in the second phase of the African Food Fellowship. This is a matter under consideration for future phases.
The Fellowship focuses on leadership as a key driver in transforming food systems in Africa. It seeks to strengthen African leadership that is creating solutions to the most pressing challenges facing African food systems today, by focusing on leadership development, networking and collaboration.
