The US Vice President, Kamala Harris, has hinted about the US government’s plans to work with Congress to fund an additional government investment of more than $100 million in the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).
The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) is the US’ investment support for the next generation of African leaders.
Harris made the announcement at the just concluded U.S-Africa Leaders’ Summit in Washington, D.C.
The Young African Leaders Exchange, the maiden pan-African virtual platform, will be established by USAID in collaboration with partners.
The Exchange will enable the Diaspora and other stakeholders to directly connect with nearly 28,000 YALI alumni from 49 sub-Saharan countries.
According to its promoters, the Exchange is established to foster networking, enhance the leadership of women and marginalized youth, highlight initiatives, strengthen the role of mentors and coaches, and assist young African leaders in obtaining grants or internships.
Analysts believe that with the additional funding by the US, YALI will be able to train and mentor more young African men and women in leadership roles with the attendant positive transformational changes for the continent as a whole.