AFRIKA KOMMT! unites visionary young leaders from Africa with leading German companies, providing a platform for mutual benefit. German companies gain access to the expertise, knowledge, local networks, and unique perspectives of African professionals, while the fellows immerse themselves in German corporate culture, business practices, and society.
The AFRIKA KOMMT! fellowship program offers exceptional African professionals a transformative one-year experience, both personally and professionally. It serves as an opportunity for these individuals to expand their skills, knowledge, and experiences, pushing them beyond their comfort zones to drive economic and social development in their respective countries through sustainable cooperation with German industry.
The program selects top-tier professionals from across Africa, including North Africa, facilitating a comprehensive one-year journey in Germany. This journey includes German language instruction, international management training, study tours, and culminates in an eight-month practical training placement at a host company.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the programme you must:
- Be a Citizen of any African country
- Have a University degree in a relevant subject
- Postgraduate degree (e.g. MBA) is an advantage
- Have two to five years work experience
- Have excellent English language skills
- Basic knowledge of the German language is an advantage
- Not be older than 35 years at the time of application
Benefits Of The AFRIKA KOMMT! Fellowship Program
The AFRIKA KOMMT! programme is entirely financed by the participating companies. As a fellow, all costs related to your participation in the fellowship programme will be covered (flights, accommodation, monthly stipend, trainings, language course).https://www.youtube.com/embed/aX42dG4Fl3c?feature=oembed
Programme Details
At the core of the AFRIKA KOMMT! programme is a one-year stay for the African professionals in Germany. During this time, the fellows actively work in their partner companies where they are trained and mentored. Other components organized by GIZ such as language courses, trainings and networking events supplement the learning experience.
- Professional and tailor-made selection process: The fellows of the programme are chosen in a comprehensive selection process that is implemented in close cooperation with the participating companies.
- Language and cultural integration for fellows: The programme begins with German language and cultural integration courses to prepare the fellows for their stay in Germany. The fellows also get an opportunity to visit cultural heritage sites within Germany.
- Management training for fellows: The fellows undergo three modules of intense management training where they advance their knowledge of modern global management practices.
- Professional fellowship in partner company: The young experts spend eight months with their partner companies and are engaged in projects and meaningful work experience.
- AFRIKA KOMMT! Network: The partner companies and the African professionals come together at various networking events, share expertise and drive common projects.
- Alumni phase: After their one-year stay in Germany, the fellows become knowledge and skill transfer ambassadors as alumni in their home countries. A one-week refresher course in Germany or in Africa advances the skill set of the alumni and fosters continued strengthening of the AFRIKA KOMMT! network.
A Comprehensive Programme in Three Phases
Selection and Preparation
- Definition of fellowship profiles by the companies
- Application phase
- Selection of the candidates for the Assessment Center
- Assessment Center and final selection of fellows
- Preparatory German course in home country for fellows
One-Year Stay in Germany
- Intensive German language course
- 3 Management Trainings (Focus: Intercultural Competencies, Leadership, Project and Change Management, Conflict Management)
- 8-month fellowship in the partner company
- One-week study tour
- Weekend Seminars
- Networking events
- Farewell ceremony with the Federal Foreign Office
Alumni Phase
- One-week refresher course
- Participation in AFRIKA KOMMT! events
- Alumni projects
- Continous networking
Method of Application
Step 1
Check the general candidate requirements – do you fit the criteria and are you eligible for the programme?
Step 2
Check the available fellowship placements and required profiles for the new intake of AFRIKA KOMMT!
The fellowship placements will only be available during the application phase.
Your application will be considered for the AFRIKA KOMMT! programme as a whole, however you are asked to select maximum 2 profiles in the application form and to give reasons for your choice.
Step 3
Register on https://application.afrika-kommt.de and fill in the application form in English.
Applications in other languages will not be considered.
In addition to filling the application form, you will be asked to upload a short presentation about your motivation, an idea for a change initiative, a photo and your certificates.
About the idea for a change initiative:
One of the aims of AFRIKA KOMMT! is to build a platform that supports young African professionals to design change initiatives that seek to solve social and economic challenges in their countries. Please think for an idea for a change initative that you would like to implement in your country. You will be asked four questions about your idea in the application form.
Step 4
Submit your application before the deadline (tbc) – applications submitted after this date cannot be considered.
Selection Procedure:
You will receive feedback on your application within approx. 8-12 weeks after the official end of the application period. The partner companies may contact you to do a short telephone interview with you. If your application has successfully passed the pre-selection stage, you will receive an invitation to a 2-days assessment centre.
Application Deadline: March 24, 2024.
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