2025 Reunion Seminar for the Fellows of the Young & Emerging Leaders Project.
Under the theme "Leadership at Crossroads: Reflect. Reconnect. Recommit," this gathering will unite over 60 YELP Fellows from the 2017–2024 cohorts for a day of reflection, renewed connections, and recommitment to leadership excellence.
This reunion represents a pivotal moment for Africa's emerging leaders within the LéO Africa Institute network to assess their journeys and chart a bold path forward in our evolving global landscape.
About the Young and Emerging Leaders Project
The Young and Emerging Leaders Project (YELP) is a flagship fellowship program of the LéO Africa Institute, designed to nurture dynamic and influential thought leaders from across Africa. Over one year, the fellowship provides a transformative experience that equips participants with the tools, insights, and networks needed to shape Africa's leadership future.
The YELP Fellowship Foundation
The fellowship rests on three pillars:
Leadership Development: Cultivating ethical, innovative, and effective leadership skills that empower fellows to navigate complex challenges with integrity and vision.
Networking: Building strong, cross-sectoral connections among emerging leaders to foster collaboration and collective impact.
Mentorship: Providing access to experienced leaders and industry experts who guide fellows in their personal and professional growth.
Since its inception, YELP has created a vibrant community of alumni driving change across diverse fields, from technology and journalism to governance and social innovation. The 2025 reunion celebrates this legacy while calling for renewed commitment to the fellowship's defining principles.
A Unique Opportunity for Connection
For all YELP Fellows, this reunion offers a distinctive opportunity to reconnect with peers who share your passion for driving meaningful change across the continent.
It is a moment to celebrate individual and collective growth, share lessons learned along your leadership journey, and recommit to the values that bind the YELP community: ethical and values-based leadership, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Thoughtfully Crafted Programming
The 2025 YELP Fellows Reunion Seminar is designed to foster deep, meaningful dialogue and forge lasting connections among alumni. The day begins with breakfast and networking, creating space for fellows to rekindle relationships and exchange ideas. The program balances introspection, collaboration, and inspiration through carefully curated sessions that spark meaningful dialogue and inspire actionable insights.
From the opening conversation exploring the power of community to the keynote address framing the future of African leadership, the day will challenge fellows to think critically about their roles as leaders at a crossroads. Intimate class check-ins and dynamic panel discussions will provide spaces for vulnerability, learning, and inspiration, while networking opportunities will foster enduring connections.
These seminars foster rich discussions on leadership, politics, economics, media, and the arts.
Honoring Our Partners
The YELP Fellows Reunion Seminar 2025 is made possible through the steadfast support of our esteemed partners, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Uganda and the Segal Family Foundation. Their unwavering commitment to nurturing African leadership has been the foundation of the YELP fellowship, empowering emerging leaders to drive transformative change across diverse sectors. We express our profound gratitude for their continued investment in the YELP community, enabling us to create a platform where Africa's brightest minds can grow, connect, and lead with purpose.
A Defining Moment
This reunion is more than a gathering—it is a defining moment for the YELP community to unite at a critical juncture. In a world marked by rapid change and complex challenges, this seminar offers a rare opportunity to pause and reflect on the values, experiences, and aspirations that unite us. It is a chance to reconnect with the community that has shaped us, draw strength from shared stories, and recommit to the principles of ethical, innovative, and impactful leadership that define the YELP fellowship.
The unique perspectives and experiences of our YELP Fellows, shaped by their journey since the fellowship, will enrich our collective dialogue and strengthen the bonds that make the YELP community a powerful force for change. Whether leading in journalism, technology, social innovation, or governance, every Yelpee voice matters, and their presence will make this reunion a truly memorable milestone.
Looking Ahead
As we gather for the 2025 fellows reunion, we do so with a shared commitment to shaping the future of African leadership.
The YELP Fellows Reunion Seminar 2025 celebrates our past achievements, reaffirms our shared values, and takes a bold step toward a future where Africa's emerging leaders continue to drive transformative impact.
Let us reflect on where we've been, reconnect with our community, and recommit to leading with courage, integrity, and purpose.
