YALI Act of 2026

This bill, known as the Young African Leaders Initiative Act of 2025 or the YALI Act of 2025 , establishes a comprehensive United States Government initiative to build the capacity of young leaders and entrepreneurs in Africa. The initiative, called the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) , seeks to support young African leaders in sub-Saharan Africa across areas such as business, civic engagement, and public administration. Its purpose is to offer professional development, training, networking opportunities, and increased economic and technical assistance to promote economic growth and strengthen ties between the U.S. and African businesses. Key components of YALI include supporting the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders , which brings fellows aged 25-35 to the U.S. for leadership institutes and summits. Additionally, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development is mandated to establish at least four regional leadership centers in sub-Saharan Africa. These centers will provide year-round in-person and online training for young African leaders aged 18-35, focusing on business, civic leadership, and public management. The bill also requires an implementation plan within 180 days and annual reports to Congress for five years, detailing progress and assessing the program's contribution to U.S.-Africa relations.