Obama's YALI project to benefit more Tanzanian youths

By The guardian reporter

Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI)

Tanzanian youths are expected to access exceptional internship and apprenticeship opportunities this year from the US government through the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) in order to venture businesses across the continent.



Speaking during a telephonic press conference, Special Assistant to the President Grant Harris made the remarks over the weekend on the topic of the Obama Administration’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).

Harris who is also the Senior Director for African Affairs on the National Security Staff of the White House said African youth will have an opportunity to cater for a range of aspiring entrepreneurs through leadership roles within the private sector or start-up of their own business ventures on the continent.

“Through the programme business and entrepreneurship institutes will expose participants to business and entrepreneur approaches in the United States, build technical and leadership capacity in areas such as strategy, operations, supply chain management, business ethics, social entrepreneurship, microfinance, emerging markets and risk analysis…..”, he explained.

According to him, African youth interested in civic leadership will engage and serve the public through non-governmental organisations, community based organisations or volunteerism. However, it will expose and build technical and leadership capacity in areas of citizenship, community building, economic development, grassroots activism, political organizing and leadership.

Meanwhile, Acting Senior Director for Global Engagement at the National Security Council Shannon Green said one of the academic institute tracks in the program will be public management where youths will be tailored to work of aspire in all levels of government agencies, regional organisations such as African Union (AU), international organisations such as United Nations or other publicly –minded organisations.

The Obama Administration’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) is a signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. Nearly one in three Africans are between the ages of 10 and 24, and approximately 60 percent of Africa’s total population is below the age of 35.

President Obama launched YALI in 2010 to support young African leaders as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa.

The Washington Fellowship is the new flagship program of YALI. This program will bring over 500 young leaders to the United States each year, beginning in 2014, for leadership training and mentoring, and will create unique opportunities in Africa to put those new skills to practical use in propelling economic growth and prosperity, and strengthening democratic institutions. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN