The YALI Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive U.S. government program to develop young leaders and entrepreneurs across sub-Saharan Africa by expanding the existing Mandela Washington Fellowship and creating new regional training centers. The initiative targets African citizens aged 18-35 who demonstrate leadership potential and aims to strengthen their skills in business, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, public administration, and peace-building through a combination of U.S.-based 6-week leadership institutes and training programs delivered across at least four regional centers in Africa. The Secretary of State will oversee the program with coordination from the U.S. Agency for International Development and other federal agencies, and must submit an implementation plan within 180 days and annual progress reports for five years. The bill does not specify funding amounts but directs federal agencies to pursue private-sector partnerships and leverage existing resources, and the program will automatically end five years after enactment.
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