3 generations of Princeton in Africa Fellows at our host organization, Lwala Community Alliance, Kenya.

Dear PiAf Community,

We are thrilled to share that the Princeton in Africa 2026-27 fellowship application is open!

Since 1999, Princeton in Africa (PiAf) has offered yearlong, paid post-graduate fellowships with leading organizations across the African continent. To date, more than 750 Fellows have served in 37 countries, contributing to various sectors, including humanitarian aid, public health, business and economic development, agriculture, and education.

In addition to our signature fellowship program, PiAf launched the Nexus Program to expand opportunities for young African leaders. Each year, 3-5 Nexus Fellows are paired with Fellows educated at U.S.-accredited institutions within the same host organizations. Together, they participate in a co-Fellow exchange of skills, knowledge, leadership experience, and technical expertise.

Learn more about the Princeton in Africa fellowships here!

Please share with any rising seniors or recent university graduates who may be interested in this unique opportunity. 

The deadline for 2026-27 fellowship applications is Monday, October 27th, 2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern.

Host a Fellow with Princeton in Africa

Today is the deadline to submit the host organization application to host a Fellow for the 2026-27 fellowship year. We are also accepting applications from organizations across the African continent to host Fellows for the 2027-2028 fellowship year.

Our Fellows are motivated young professionals with diverse skill sets in operations, grant writing, market analysis, communications, education administration, program management, and more. PiAf Fellows are selected through a rigorous process and are matched with host organizations based on the organization’s needs, as well as the Fellows’ experience and technical expertise. 

There’s a reason why 100% of 2024-25 host organizations would recommend working with PiAf (and hosting a PiAf Fellow) to another organization.

The results speak for themselves. Our comprehensive 2024 end-of-year survey of current host organizations revealed remarkable outcomes.

Join leading NGOs, social enterprises, and development organizations in creating meaningful opportunities for exceptional talent to contribute to Africa's continued growth and innovation.

Farewell to our 2024-25 Fellows

Our 2024-25 fellowship year has come to a close. We are so proud of all our Fellows’ accomplishments and deeply grateful for the impact they’ve made in their communities and within the PiAf family. Though their fellowships have come to a close, their journeys as alumni and global leaders are just beginning.

Congratulations and welcome to the PiAf Alumni community!

 Fellows Extending Their Journeys

Left to right: Amma-Sika Adomako, Isabel Masawi, Merete Cowles, Razaan Abnowf, Redeit Hailu, Saleef Nyambok

We are thrilled to share that 6 of our 2024-25 Fellows will be continuing their journeys with their host organizations! This is a testament to their outstanding contributions and the strong partnerships fostered through PiAf.

• Amma-Sika Adomako will be at Warc in Ghana, working on project management and business development across the full project cycle. 

• Isabel Masawi has transitioned into a new role as Post-Secondary Education Adviser with the Tanzania Education Corporation. She is excited to create a student opportunity pipeline that opens doors beyond high school.

• Merete Cowles is stepping into a Communications and Partnerships Officer role with Lwala. She will be based in the US with travel to Kenya. 

• Razaan Abnowf will continue with African Leadership Academy, working in research and advocacy to support systems for young entrepreneurs in Africa. 

• Redeit Hailu is stepping into a Senior Development Associate position at Food for Education. She is excited to grow their grants pipeline and strengthen donor partnerships.

• Saleef Nyambok will continue contributing to the International Livestock Research Institute's mission by producing high-impact narratives that promote sustainable livestock practices and effective scientific research communication.

Their fellowships may have ended, but their work has just begun. We are looking forward to the continued impact our new PiAf alumni will make in their communities and beyond!

Meet the Princeton in Africa 2025-27 Alumni Board

We’re thrilled to introduce the newly elected Princeton in Africa Alumni Board! This dedicated group of leaders will help strengthen our alumni community, support current Fellows, and advance PiAf’s mission of building lifelong connections across Africa and beyond. We are excited to welcome:

Co-Presidents: Michael Rivera and Avukile Zoya
Treasurer: Emma Anderson
Communications Chair: Saleef Nyambok
Alumni Support Chair: Eloah Makassi
Fellow Support Chair: Livia Karoui

We also proudly welcome our general board members Michael Banks, Malaika Ogukwe, Madison Spinelli, Olivia Thompson, and Nishtha Yadav.

Each board member brings a wealth of experience and perspective, and we are eager to see the vision and energy they will bring to our community over the next two years.

Read their full bios on our website.

A Farewell Message from Our Executive Director

Dear Friends of Princeton in Africa,

Today marks the end of my term as Executive Director of Princeton in Africa.

Leading Princeton in Africa in the past four years as the first African Executive Director in the organization’s history has truly been the honor of my life. I will forever be grateful for the brilliant Fellows and Alumni who committed their lives to service on the continent, for the small but mighty staff team who are the heartbeat of this program, for our engaged board, and for our continent-shaping partners who make this work possible. I am especially thankful to our staff team. Your dedication, creativity, and resilience have carried PiAf through challenges and growth alike. Nothing we achieved would have been possible without your brilliance, your hard work behind the scenes, and your belief in the mission. You are the backbone of PiAf.

Over these years, I’ve seen Fellows launch cross border agricultural projects, secure critical funding and partnerships in health and technology, lead poverty reduction work that empowered communities, and create programs that open new opportunities for young leaders. Some have raised millions for urgent humanitarian responses, while others have built training platforms that prepare the next generation to thrive. What I witnessed every day reaffirms why PiAf invests in young leaders: their growth does more than change lives, it strengthens host organizations, uplifts communities, and accelerates Africa’s progress.

There are many milestones I’m proud of during my tenure, including millions in funding secured in four years, stronger safeguards for our Fellows, and new pathways for opportunity, but what I hold closest is pioneering the Nexus program. From day one, I made it clear that I wanted Africans on the continent to have the same access to these life changing fellowships as Americans. My hope is that Nexus continues to grow and stands as an example of how partnerships with Africa should be built, rooted in equity, respect, and shared progress. I believe deeply that investing in African leadership and institutions is the way to build the sovereign, peaceful, opportunity filled continent we all want to see. And I will always be grateful for our partners and donors who choose to invest in young leaders, African and American, who are committed to this vision.

I leave with pride in Princeton in Africa and confidence in its future. With the leadership of our board, the commitment of our staff, and the passion of our Fellows and Alumni, PiAf is in the best possible hands for the next chapter.

Sincerely,

Damilola Akinyele Wolfgarten