Ford Foundation Global Fellows; Photo Courtesy
Nine African leaders have been selected for the 2026 cohort of the Ford Foundation Global Fellowship, showing the continent’s growing presence in global efforts to address inequality.
The cohort, announced on April 7, brings together 32 fellows from across Africa, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East.
Africa accounts for nine of those selected, making it the second most represented region after the Americas, which has 12 fellows, followed by Asia with seven and the Middle East with four.
The fellowship, launched in 2020, supports leaders working on social justice issues by providing resources, networks, and a platform for collaboration across regions.
It is part of the foundation’s broader effort to invest in individuals seen as driving change within their communities and beyond.
Speaking on the programme, Ford Global Fellowship Director Adria Goodson said the initiative is designed to strengthen connections among leaders tackling complex global challenges.
“By connecting these leaders across regions, we are fortifying the global civic architecture necessary to accelerate their ability to disrupt the drivers of inequality in an increasingly complex world,” she said.
The African cohort reflects a wide range of sectors, from governance and advocacy to arts and community development, underscoring the diversity of approaches being used to tackle inequality across the continent.
Nigeria has the highest representation, with three fellows: Chinenye Uwanaka, founder of The Firma Advisory, who works on governance and public policy; Diri Diepriye Ibim, cofounder of FemBud Collective, whose work focuses on storytelling and gender advocacy; and Hassana Maina, founder of ASVIOL Support Initiative, which addresses sexual and gender-based violence.
They are joined by Gerald Sikazwe of Zambia, a communications and advocacy lead who uses poetry and digital storytelling to amplify underrepresented voices, and Gervas Evodius of Tanzania, who works to advance women’s economic rights through Hakizetu Organization.
From Southern Africa, Makomborero Carl Muropa of Zimbabwe was recognised for his work in education and housing justice, particularly through initiatives that promote culturally relevant learning. Siphiwe Ngwenya of South Africa was also selected for his efforts to expand economic participation through community-based arts and cultural initiatives.
Kenya is represented by two fellows in the cohort. Naomi Mwaura, Executive Director of Flone Initiative Trust, was recognised for her work on improving safety and inclusion in public transport systems, particularly for women and persons with disabilities.
Her work focuses on rethinking mobility as a key component of social and economic inclusion.
She is joined by Staicy Naanyu Letoluo, founder of Indigenous Friends of the Mau Forest, who works with Indigenous communities on land rights, conservation, and women’s leadership. Her work shows the role of local communities in environmental protection and sustainable development.
Ford Foundation Chief Innovation Officer Noorain Khan said the fellowship continues to prioritise leaders with lived experience of the challenges they are addressing.
“This approach ensures that our resources remain focused on supporting those who are actively building more inclusive, democratic societies from the ground up,” she said.
The selected fellows will join a global network of more than 150 leaders working across different regions and sectors.
The programme is designed to support long-term collaboration, with fellows engaging in shared learning and building connections that extend beyond their individual areas of work.
For the African cohort, the recognition comes at a time when locally driven solutions are increasingly seen as central to addressing the continent’s development challenges.
Their inclusion in the programme reflects a broader shift towards recognising the role of community-based leadership, innovation, and advocacy in shaping responses to inequality.
As the fellowship continues to expand, Africa’s representation in the 2026 cohort signals not only the depth of talent across the continent but also the growing influence of African voices in global conversations on development, equity, and social change.
