Legis Daily

YALI Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-2236| Senate 
| Updated: 2/10/2026
Chris Van Hollen

Chris Van Hollen

Democratic Senator

Maryland

Cosponsors (1)
Mike Rounds (Republican)

Foreign Relations Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3160
YALI Act of 2023

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-2545
YALI Act of 2021
Jul 10, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-4332
Introduced in House
Jul 10, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jul 10, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Jan 29, 2026
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Jan 29, 2026
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Feb 10, 2026
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Feb 10, 2026
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 324.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3160
    YALI Act of 2023


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-2545
    YALI Act of 2021


  • July 10, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-4332
    Introduced in House


  • July 10, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 10, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.


  • January 29, 2026
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • January 29, 2026
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • February 10, 2026
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • February 10, 2026
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 324.

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • HR 119-4332: YALI Act of 2025

YALI Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-2236| Senate 
| Updated: 2/10/2026
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.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3160
YALI Act of 2023

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-2545
YALI Act of 2021
Jul 10, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-4332
Introduced in House
Jul 10, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jul 10, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Jan 29, 2026
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Jan 29, 2026
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Feb 10, 2026
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Feb 10, 2026
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 324.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3160
    YALI Act of 2023


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-2545
    YALI Act of 2021


  • July 10, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-4332
    Introduced in House


  • July 10, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 10, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.


  • January 29, 2026
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • January 29, 2026
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • February 10, 2026
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • February 10, 2026
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 324.
Chris Van Hollen

Chris Van Hollen

Democratic Senator

Maryland

Cosponsors (1)
Mike Rounds (Republican)

Foreign Relations Committee

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • HR 119-4332: YALI Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted