African German Young Leaders in Business (AGYLE) Programme 2023 for Young African Leaders (Fully Funded to Berlin, Germany)

Application Deadline: 16 April 2023

African German Young Leaders in Business (AGYLE) connects young African and German leaders from business, politics and the media to establish a long-term business network and to develop innovative business models. The goal of AGYLE is to strengthen the African-German dialogue and to lay the foundation for cross-border economic cooperation.

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AGYLE builds a bridge between young African and German leaders and establishes a sustainable business network. A jury selects forty participants from Germany and African countries. All young leaders are then invited to an event lasting several days, where they jointly develop innovative business models, network and, together with the Young Leaders of previous years, form a sustainable business network that connects both continents.

In 2022, the young leaders dealt with the topic of green innovation and climate change; in 2023, the focus of AGYLE will be digital transformation.

Digital transformation – young leaders working towards a green and inclusive future

Digital transformation has a profound impact on all areas of our professional and private lives: providing an increase in networking opportunities, new disruptive business models and independent access to communication technologies and information, digital technologies offer great potential to facilitate social, economic and political participation for all. At the same time, it also poses challenges: existing inequalities in access e.g. to education or capital may be reinforced further, thus exacerbating disadvantages between men and women, or between rural and urban communities, et cetera. Young leaders from the “digital natives” generation in particular have a special responsibility here. Digital innovations tend to be cross-sectoral and can be applied to many different fields: from e-agriculture to Industry 4.0, from FinTech to FemTech, from e-mobility to e-commerce and e-government, there are countless approaches aimed at harmonising economic change and inclusive development.

The focus of the 2023 AGYLE programme is therefore on general ideas and visions by young leaders who have recognised digital transformation as a key driver for addressing global challenges and are embracing innovative digital solutions e.g. in the following areas: education, healthcare, climate, energy, trade, and sustainable business. Because an ecologically sustainable and socially just transformation of society can only succeed if young leaders join forces in developing new solutions and business models.

Participant benefits

Exclusive access to an international business network and new, long-term corporate contacts and business relationships
Development of innovative ideas and new business models
Professional and interdisciplinary collaboration at eye-level with experts, mentors, participants
Exchange of experience with other young leaders from participating countries
Positioning as a representative of the home country
Support in international positioning as a young leader and promotion of career development
Cultural insights into the participating countries

Who can apply?

Are you a young leader

up to 40 years of age
from the fields of business, politics, media or civil society
from Germany, Ghana, Rwanda, Senegal, Tunisia
who has already taken on professional leadership responsibility
who is socially engaged in addition to her/his professional activities
who is interested in African-German topics – previous experience, already existing cooperations or projects in Africa are not necessary
who is willing to actively participate in the Young Leaders Alumni network

What to expect?

Exclusive access to an international business network and new, long-term corporate contacts and business relationships
All selected participants will be invited to the AGYLE Week, which will take place from 10 – 16 September 2023 in Berlin
Development of innovative ideas and new business models
Professional and interdisciplinary collaboration at eye-level with experts, mentors, participants
Exchange of experience with other young leaders from participating countries
Positioning as a representative of the home country
Support in international positioning as a young leader and promotion of career development
Cultural insights into the participating countries

Submit the following documents

In addition to a letter of motivation, a letter of recommendation and a CV, participants must also submit a short personal video statement. A jury will review all submitted documents after the official application deadline.