Deadline: April 5, 2026
Applications are open for the FUNGAI DPI Governance in Africa Fellowship 2026. At FUNGAI Africa, they believe that how we govern technology reveals who we are as societies. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which includes identity systems, data platforms, and service portals reshaping state-citizen relations, is not neutral. It either deepens inequality or advances justice. This fellowship brings together a new generation of African researchers to audit DPI through a human rights and democratic lens.
By the end of the programme, fellows will be able to:
- Analyze DPI governance using rights-based and social justice frameworks
- Investigate how DPI affects marginalised communities (women, refugees, rural populations, persons with disabilities)
- Apply digital security best practices in sensitive research environments
- Translate complex findings into policy, advocacy, and public-facing outputs
- Join a growing network of African digital rights and policy practitioners
Programme Curriculum
Month 1: Foundations & Frameworks
- Understanding DPI and its role in democracy and AI systems
- Rights-based frameworks: legality, transparency, accountability
- Research methods: interviews, document analysis, ethics, digital security
- Comparative research design
- Output: Country research protocols + stakeholder maps
Month 2: Field Research & Documentation
- Conducting interviews and managing sensitive conversations
- Analysing policies, contracts, and legislation
- Data management: transcription, coding, secure storage
- Mid-point peer review and reflection
- Output: Field notes, transcripts, preliminary findings
Month 3: Analysis & Translation
- Turning data into structured analysis
- Writing for advocacy: policy briefs, toolkits, public outputs
- Peer review and refinement
- Cross-country comparison and synthesis
- Output: Final case study + policy outputs
Stipend
- There will be stipend of $300/month ($900 total)
Eligibility
They are looking for:
- Early-career researchers
- Digital rights advocates
- Policy thinkers
- Anyone passionate about technology, governance, and justice in Africa
Application
Submit your application by 5 April 2026.
For more information, visit DPI Governance in Africa Fellowship.
