The USAID/Senegal has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), aimed at empowering francophone African youth through leadership training. The RFI invites comments from registered higher education institutions in Senegal to inform the design of the next YALI activity, which is set for 2025 to 2030. This initiative seeks to support the economic, political, and social development of Africa, particularly in light of challenges such as unemployment and political instability among the youth demographic, which constitutes over 70% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population.
The new YALI activity builds on a decade of prior implementation, focusing on inclusive recruitment and market-relevant leadership skills while strengthening local partners’ capacities. Key goals include enhancing youth leadership, sustainability of YALI programs, and increasing alumni impact in their respective communities. Interested institutions are encouraged to submit their responses by February 7, 2025, including technical feedback and organizational capability statements. This RFI is a step toward refining the YALI program and does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or funding.
The USAID is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the "Young African Leaders Initiative" (YALI) aimed at empowering Francophone youth in Senegal to take leadership roles in their nations' socio-economic and political development. With over 70% of Africa's population under 35, the initiative seeks to address challenges such as political instability and high unemployment rates, while leveraging the potential of African youth.
This document details the background and objectives of YALI, emphasizing the importance of high-quality leadership training tailored to the African context. USAID invites higher education institutions in Senegal to provide feedback on the proposed framework and to showcase their organizational capacity to support the initiative. Responses should adhere to strict submission guidelines and will help refine the program, although the document clarifies that this is not a formal application for funding.
The intervention aims to strengthen youth leadership, establish a sustainable YALI Africa framework, and increase the impact of YALI alumni in their communities. This RFI represents USAID's commitment to fostering youth-led development initiatives, which are vital for the continent's future progress and stability.