Deadline: September 4, 2026
Applications are open for the Africa Fellowship for Young Energy Leaders (AFYEL) – Cohort 6. The AFYEL is a six-month, no-cost fellowship that trains early-career professionals across four renewable energy technologies and pairs classroom learning with a one-month internship, a capstone project addressing a real local energy problem, and a virtual summit connecting fellows with mentors and industry leaders from across the continent.
The fellowship is run by the Renewable Energy Technology Training Institute (RETTI), through RETTI Virtual University, in partnership with government agencies, academic institutions, and private sector companies working across Africa’s energy value chain.
AFYEL exists because the renewable energy sector in Africa needs a trained, capable workforce faster than universities alone can produce. Close to 600 million Africans still lack reliable access to electricity. Closing that gap means giving young engineers, economists, and finance professionals the technical and commercial skills the sector runs on, and keeping that talent working on African energy problems.
Tracks
Every applicant selects one track to specialize in. Each track runs expert-led lectures, real case studies, one-on-one mentoring, and ends in a track-specific capstone project.
- Solar PV — Small-scale, large-scale, and utility-scale solar systems, from household installations to grid-connected plants.
- Onshore Wind — Wind resource assessment, turbine technology, and project development.
- Bioenergy — Biomass and biogas systems, feedstock supply chains, and rural energy applications.
- Hydropower — Small and large hydro systems, feasibility, and grid integration.
Benefits
- Practitioner-led training in your chosen technology track, taught by working professionals in that field, not just academics.
- A one-month internship placement with a partner organization.
- A capstone project you design and carry out, addressing an actual energy access problem in your own community or country.
- A virtual summit connecting you with international mentors, past fellows, and industry and grant partners.
- Ongoing access to the AFYEL alumni network and continued opportunities after the fellowship ends.
Eligibility
- Recent graduates in Physics, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Building/Construction Engineering, Economics, Mathematics, Accounting, Finance, or Solar Energy (or a closely related field).
- Aged 21–35.
- A citizen or resident of any African country.
- Able to read, write, and speak English at a working level — all training, mentoring, and group work happens in English.
- Able to commit fully to the six-month fellowship and the one-month internship that follows it. This isn’t a side project; partial participation isn’t an option.
Application
For more information, visit AFYEL.
