H.R. 4332

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To establish a comprehensive United States Government initiative to build the capacity of young leaders and entrepreneurs in Africa, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · July 10, 2025 · Sponsor: Ms. Kamlager-Dove · Committee: Committee on Foreign Affairs

Table of contents

• H.R. 4332
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Sense of Congress
  • SEC. 3. Young African Leaders Initiative program

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the or the .

SEC. 2. Sense of Congress

• It is the sense of Congress that—
  • the Young African Leaders Initiative, launched in 2010, is a signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders;
  • Africa is a continent of strategic importance and it is vital for the United States to support strong and enduring partnerships with the next generation of African leaders;
  • the United States Government should prioritize investments to build the capacity of emerging young African leaders in sub-Saharan Africa, including through efforts to—
    • enhance leadership skills;
    • encourage entrepreneurship;
    • strengthen public administration and the role of civil society;
    • enhance peace and security in their respective countries of origin and across Africa; and
    • connect young African leaders continentally and globally across the private, civic, and public sectors;
  • youth in Africa have a positive impact on efforts to foster economic growth, improve public sector transparency and governance, and counter extremism, and should be an area of focus for United States outreach on the African continent; and
  • the Secretary of State should—
    • increase the number of fellows from Africa participating in the Mandela Washington Fellowship above the estimated 700 fellows who participated during fiscal year 2021; and
    • identify additional ways to connect YALI alumni to United States public and private resources and institutions.

SEC. 3. Young African Leaders Initiative program

• (a) In general
  • There is established the Young African Leaders Initiative (referred to in this section as ), which shall be carried out by the Secretary of State. YALI
• (b) Purpose
  • YALI shall seek to build the capacity of young African leaders in sub-Saharan Africa in the areas of business, civic engagement, or public administration, including through efforts—
    • to support young African leaders by offering professional development, training, and networking opportunities, particularly in the areas of leadership, innovation, civic engagement, elections, human rights, entrepreneurship, good governance, peace and security, and public administration; and
    • to provide increased economic and technical assistance to young African leaders to promote economic growth, strengthen ties between United States and African businesses, build resilience to predatory lending practices, and improve capacity in key economic areas such as tendering, bidding, and contract negotiations, budget management and oversight, anti-corruption, and establishment of clear policy and regulatory practices.
• (c) Fellowships
  • (1) In general
    • YALI shall support the participation in the United States in the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders of fellows from Africa who—
      • are between 25 and 35 years of age;
      • have demonstrated strong capabilities in entrepreneurship, innovation, public service, and leadership; and
      • have had a positive impact in their communities, organizations, or institutions.
  • (2) Oversight
    • The fellowships described in paragraph (1) shall be overseen by the Secretary of State through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
  • (3) Eligibility
    • The Secretary of State shall establish and publish—
      • eligibility criteria for participation as a fellow under paragraph (1); and
      • criteria for determining which eligible applicants will be selected.
• (d) Reciprocal exchanges
  • Subject to the approval of the Secretary of State, United States citizens may—
    • engage in reciprocal exchanges in connection with alumni of the fellowship described in subsection (c); and
    • collaborate on projects with such fellowship alumni.
• (e) Regional leadership centers and networks
  • The Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development shall establish—
    • not fewer than 4 regional leadership centers in sub-Saharan Africa to offer in-person and online training throughout the year on business and entrepreneurship, civic leadership, and public management to young African leaders who are between 18 and 35 years of age, have demonstrated strong capabilities in entrepreneurship, innovation, public service and leadership, and peace-building and conflict resolution, and have had a positive impact in their communities, organizations, or institutions; and