Applications for the AFRIKA KOMMT! Programme are now open. This is the programme’s 15th cohort. AFRIKA KOMMT! facilitates a one-year personal and professional development journey in Germany for high-potential African professionals from all African countries, including North Africa.
AFRIKA KOMMT! is a prestigious fellowship programme that connects visionary young African professionals with leading German companies. The initiative was founded in 2008 by nineteen German companies, led by Tilman Todenhöfer and supported by former German Federal President Horst Köhler.
The programme is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of participating companies.
The programme promotes sustainable economic cooperation between Germany and African countries. Fellows gain:
- In-depth exposure to German corporate culture and business practices
- International management training
- German language proficiency
- An 8-month practical fellowship within a host company
After eight programme intakes, more than 203 alumni are contributing to economic and social transformation across Africa, with many continuing to work with their German partner companies.
Deadline
22 March 2026 at 23:59 (Central European Time)
Programme Start: November 2026 (Germany)
Participating Companies
There are 35 fellowship profiles offered by seven leading German companies:
Background information on the individual companies can be found on their respective official websites.
Programme Structure
1. Selection and Preparation Phase
- Definition of fellowship profiles by companies
- Application and Assessment Centre process
- Final selection of fellows
- Preparatory German language course in home country
2. One-Year Stay in Germany
- Intensive German language course
- Three management training modules (Intercultural Competence, Leadership, Project & Change Management, Conflict Management)
- 8-month professional fellowship in partner company
- One-week study tour
- Weekend seminars and networking events
- Farewell ceremony hosted by the Federal Foreign Office
3. Alumni Phase
- One-week refresher course
- Alumni projects
- Participation in AFRIKA KOMMT! events
- Continuous networking within the AFRIKA KOMMT! network
Who can apply?
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of any African country
- Hold a university degree in a relevant field
- Have 2–5 years of professional work experience
- Demonstrate excellent English language proficiency
- Be younger than 35 years at the time of application
Advantageous:
- Postgraduate qualification (e.g., MBA)
- Basic knowledge of German
Required Competencies
Professional Skills
- High leadership potential
- Strong self-motivation and initiative
- Target-oriented and committed
- Team-oriented
Personal Attributes
- Resilient and adaptable
- Open-minded with strong intercultural competence
- Willingness to learn German
- Ability to reflect critically on own behaviour
Application Process
Applications must be submitted online in English via: https://application.afrika-kommt.de.
Contact
Documents and Links
Note
Please note that this opportunity is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
