The USAID/Senegal is requesting information from higher education institutions regarding its anticipated Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Activity, aimed at empowering francophone African youth in leadership roles to foster economic, political, and social development. The RFI, issued on January 8, 2025, is open until February 7, 2025, and invites feedback on the draft concept of the YALI program that seeks to establish context-specific leadership training managed by local entities. The document outlines the background of YALI, noting the challenges and opportunities presented by Africa’s youthful demographic, and reflecting on the program’s past successes with more than 28,000 young leaders trained since its inception. The new YALI initiative, effective from December 2025 to November 2030, aims to enhance youth leadership, ensure sustainability, and increase alumni impact. Interested institutions are encouraged to provide insights on the program’s results framework, share capabilities, and suggest improvements. Responses will inform the development strategy and are due by the specified deadline. This RFI reinforces USAID's commitment to youth development and inclusive leadership across sub-Saharan Africa.

The USAID Senegal is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) for the new African Young Leaders Initiative (YALI), aimed at establishing a high-quality leadership training program tailored to the African context. The initiative targets francophone African youth, aiming to equip them with the skills needed to contribute significantly to their countries' social, economic, and political development. Interested higher education institutions in Senegal are invited to provide feedback on the draft concept and submit statements of capability by February 7, 2025. YALI, launched in 2010, focuses on empowering African youth, enhancing their leadership, and fostering entrepreneurship through regional collaboration. The new program, effective from December 2025 to November 2030, aims to become a sustainable, locally-driven initiative supporting leadership development across 22 francophone African countries. Key objectives include enhancing youth leadership skills, ensuring program effectiveness and sustainability, and increasing the impact of YALI alumni within their communities. The RFI aims to engage with institutions for insights that will refine the program before its launch. Respondents must submit their feedback electronically, focusing on both technical questions about the initiative's framework and their organizational capacity to implement such programs. The process emphasizes inclusivity, particularly concerning gender and underrepresented groups in leadership training.