Are you a climate entrepreneur in Africa ready to scale your impact? The Green RISE Africa Fellowship 2026 offers a fully funded chance to build leadership skills and grow your green business. This program from Acumen Academy targets leaders in East and West Africa who tackle climate change and poverty through their work.
Applications open on May 11, 2026, and the fellowship starts in July 2026. It runs for six months in a hybrid format, blending online sessions with in-person events.
About the Green RISE Africa Fellowship
The Green RISE Africa Fellowship stands for Resilient Impact through Sustainable Entrepreneurship. It helps entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses while focusing on moral leadership. Participants learn values, mindsets, and skills for long-term change.
Fellows stay in their current jobs. They join virtual classes, attend in-person immersives, and work with peers. The program stresses creating dignified jobs, especially for women and youth in underserved areas.
East Africa vs. West Africa Tracks
The fellowship has two tracks to fit regional needs.
West Africa Fellowship
This track aids entrepreneurs who create green jobs for young rural women and youth. It highlights dignity, equity, and steady growth. Fellows attend in-person sessions in Nigeria and connect with others facing similar issues.
East Africa Fellowship
Open to people in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Burundi, South Sudan, and Somalia. It builds strong climate business models and boosts community resilience. In-person events happen in Kenya, with links to local and global experts.
Why This Fellowship Stands Out
Africa faces big climate risks but also leads in green ideas like renewable energy, farming, and waste solutions. Entrepreneurs often struggle to grow. This fellowship mixes leadership training with real business help.
It teaches how to handle tough problems, work with partners, and set up systems for the environment and people. Fellows build a network for sharing ideas and future teamwork.
Key Benefits for Fellows
The program covers all costs and provides:
- Six months of leadership training.
- Entry to Acumen’s global alumni network, including The Foundry with over 2,000 members.
- Skills in adaptive leadership, storytelling, and inclusive strategies.
- Virtual sessions, in-person immersives, mentorship, and peer groups.
- Ongoing support in a climate community.
- Possible future funding to expand businesses.
Program Structure and Time Commitment
Fellows spend about 10 hours a month. The setup includes:
- A 3-day virtual orientation.
- A 2-day virtual workshop.
- Two 5-day in-person immersives.
- Monthly group sessions and labs.
- Self-paced tasks and personal coaching.
This lets people apply lessons right away to their own work.
Who Can Apply
You qualify if you:
- Lead or build a green enterprise.
- Aim to create inclusive jobs.
- Work on climate and poverty issues.
- Show strong leadership and clear goals.
- Live in eligible East or West African countries.
How to Apply
Follow these steps:
- Check the Applicant Toolkit.
- Fill out the online form when it opens on May 11, 2026.
- Join a Selection Conference on June 4-6, 2026, if selected.
- Start the fellowship in July 2026.
Visit the official sites for details: West Africa Fellowship or East Africa Fellowship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Green RISE Africa Fellowship?
It’s a six-month fully funded program by Acumen Academy for climate entrepreneurs in East and West Africa. It builds leadership skills and helps grow green businesses tackling climate change and poverty.
Who is eligible to apply?
You qualify if you lead a green enterprise, create inclusive jobs, address climate and poverty issues, and live in eligible East or West African countries.
When do applications open and when does it start?
Applications open on May 11, 2026. The fellowship starts in July 2026 and runs for six months in a hybrid format.
What benefits do fellows get?
Fellows receive leadership training, access to Acumen’s global network, mentorship, peer groups, in-person events, and possible future funding, with about 10 hours per month commitment.
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