Afrika Kommt Fellowship Program in Germany, 2026-2028

Applications for the AFRIKA KOMMT! Fellowship Program 2026–2028 are now open. The program is a flagship initiative of German industry aimed at highly qualified, self-driven young professionals and junior executives from Africa with two to five years of hands-on work experience, strong leadership qualities, and a very high level of commitment and dedication.

Besides specific technical expertise relevant to the partner company, this fellowship program requires candidates to demonstrate high leadership potential, strong self-motivation and a self-starter mentality, dedication, target orientation, teamwork capacity, and outstanding intercultural competencies. The program begins with preparatory German language training (including a preparatory course in the home country), followed by intensive language and cultural integration courses to prepare the fellows for their stay in Germany. Fellows also have the opportunity to participate in study tours, networking events, and management trainings.

The program AFRIKA KOMMT! brings together visionary young leaders from Africa and leading German companies. Companies benefit from the expertise, knowledge, local networks, and unique African perspectives of the young professionals. The African fellows gain in-depth exposure to German corporate structures, business culture, and economic practices, and become ambassadors for sustainable German–African cooperation.

Program Details

• Placement: Leading German enterprises.
• Number of awards: Not specified (depends on participating companies).
• Duration: One year in Germany.
• Target group: Open to citizens of all African countries (including North Africa).

Afrika Kommt Fellowship Program Benefits

The AFRIKA KOMMT! programme is financed by the participating German companies. As a fellow, all major costs related to your participation in the programme are covered. The Fellowship is a fully funded program that offers the following benefits:

• One-Year Stay in Germany
  • Visa for Germany for one year
  • Preparatory German course in home country
  • Intensive German language course in Germany
  • 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
  • Continuous networking

Afrika Kommt Fellowship Program Eligibility

In order to apply for the program, applicants must meet the following criteria.

• Citizen of any African country;
• University degree in a relevant subject;
• Postgraduate degree (e.g., MBA) is an advantage;
• Two to five years of relevant work experience;
• Excellent English language skills;
• Basic knowledge of the German language is an advantage;
• Not older than 35 years at the time of application.

Additional Selection Criteria

In addition to the above technical and educational requirements, you should also have the following skills and attributes:

Language and communication skills:

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• High willingness to learn German

Professional skills:

• High leadership potential
• Strong self-motivation and self-starter mentality
• High level of dedication, commitment and target orientation
• Strong capacity for teamwork

Personal attributes:

• High level of enthusiasm, flexibility, and resilience
• Open mindset
• Outstanding intercultural competencies
• Ability to adapt to new environments quickly
• Ability to reflect on own behavior and bias

Why Participate in the Afrika Kommt Fellowship Program?

Please watch the video below for a visual insight into the program.

How to Apply for the Afrika Kommt Fellowship Program?

Interested applicants who would like to apply for this Europe opportunity must follow the steps below.

Step 1 : Check the general candidate requirements to see if you fit the criteria and are eligible for the program.

Step 2 : Check the available fellowship placements and required profiles for the new intake of AFRIKA KOMMT! (available only during the application phase). Your application will be considered for the AFRIKA KOMMT! program as a whole; however, you are asked to select a maximum of 2 profiles in the application form and provide reasons for your choice.

Step 3 : Register on the official application portal and fill in the application form in English. Applications in other languages will not be considered. In addition to completing the form, you must upload a short presentation about your motivation, an idea for a change initiative, a photo, and your certificates. You will be asked questions about your proposed change initiative in the application form.

Step 4 : Submit your application before the application deadline. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

The deadline to apply for this program is March 22, 2026. Applicants will receive feedback approximately 8–12 weeks after the official end of the application period. For more details on the AFRIKA KOMMT! Fellowship Program, please visit the official page.