The KOICA Youth Leaders Program 2026/2027 for young West African professionals (Fully Funded to South Korea) – Opportunities For Africans

Application Deadline: June 17, 2026 (4:00 PM Local Time)

Applications are actually open for the 2026/2027 KOICA Youth Leaders Program. The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in partnership with Hallym University, is inviting functions for the KOICA Youth Leaders Program (2026–2027), a management, digital transformation, AI, and entrepreneurship growth initiative for young professionals throughout West Africa. The program targets individuals from Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, and Côte d’Ivoire and combines on-line studying, in-country coaching in Ghana, and a possibility for high performers to take part in a completely funded coaching program in South Korea.

Program Highlights

Participants will acquire sensible information in:

• Leadership and youth empowerment
• Digital transformation and AI
• Public coverage and digital governance
• Entrepreneurship and startup growth
• Generative AI functions
• Civic know-how and innovation
• No-code growth and MVP creation
• Action planning for real-world affect

Requirements

Applicants should:

• Be between 19 and 34 years previous
• Be working within the public sector, non-public sector, or academia
• Have an curiosity in management, innovation, AI, and digital transformation
• Possess English communication abilities
• Be accessible for coaching in Ghana
• Be eligible for Ghana and South Korea visa issuance

Priority consideration will likely be given to:

• Applicants with a level or not less than two years of labor expertise
• Women candidates
• Youth from rural communities
• Public coverage practitioners
• Early-stage startup founders and know-how innovators

Benefits

• World-class coaching from Korean and African consultants
• Networking with youth leaders from 5 West African nations
• Leadership and entrepreneurship growth
• Exposure to AI and rising applied sciences
• Accommodation throughout native coaching in Ghana
• Opportunity to be chosen for a completely funded study go to to South Korea
• Participation in KOICA’s worldwide alumni and networking ecosystem

Program Structure

Multi-Stage Program Structure

• Stage 1: Online Training (Common Course): July 20^th July 31^st, 2026 (Total 200 individuals: 100 Public Sector + 100 Private Sector) A complete of 40 individuals will likely be chosen from every of the above 5 nations, comprising 20 individuals from the general public sector and 20 individuals from the non-public sector. Focuses on foundational African management, SDGs, and Generative AI instruments.

• Stage 2: Local Training (Ghana): Divided into two distinct tracks primarily based on sector (Public Sector: Aug 2^nd-Aug 15^th | Private Sector: Aug 16^th-Aug 29^th) at GIMPA, Accra, Ghana.

• Stage 3: Invitational Training in Korea: 14 days throughout June 2027 at Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea. Restricted to the Top 60 excellent trainees (30 from Public Sector + 30 from Private Sector) primarily based on total efficiency metrics.

1. Online Training

• July 20 – July 31, 2026
• Common curriculum for private and non-private sector individuals

2. Local Training in Ghana

• Public Sector Track: August 2 – August 15, 2026
• Private Sector Track: August 16 – August 29, 2026

3. Invitational Training in South Korea

• 14-day study go to in June 2027
• Reserved for the highest 60 individuals chosen from this system cohort

Application Process

– For KOICA Documents: 

• Application Submission and Initial Screening by the regional KOICA Office

• Shortlisted candidates(twice the ultimate quantity) beneficial to the University

a. KOICA application type should be submitted to the official e-mail account of the regional KOICA workplace 

b. Application for KOICA YLP(2026-2027) should be clearly said within the e-mail topic line.

c. Application type should be submitted in PDF format with the applicant’s signature.

d. A letter of advice should be submitted in PDF format with the recommender’s signature. 

e. A replica of passport should be submitted in PDF format

– For University Documents: Official e-mail. [email protected]

• Second-round Document Review and Final Selection

• Email assist and response for curriculum and program associated inquiries

• Immigration and departure assist for last chosen individuals

a. The applicant choice timeline and last announcement of profitable candidates will likely be notified individually through e-mail

b. Applicant strongly suggested to recurrently check their e-mail after submitting the application.

c. Final chosen individuals should submit a medical check-up certificates issued in 2026 through e-mail (submission deadline to be introduced later)

Required paperwork to be Submitted to the regional KOICA workplace 

1. KOICA Ghana Office: Google Form for Public Sector / Google Form for Private Sector
2. KOICA Cameroon Office: 📧 [email protected]
3. KOICA Côte d’Ivoire Office: 📧 [email protected]
4. KOICA Nigeria Office: 📧 [email protected]
5. KOICA Senegal Office: 📧 [email protected]

1) KOICA Application Form 

2) A Letter of Recommendation (or a referral) from the federal government / office / college / public group / NGO / Professional group, neighborhood chief of the applicant.

3) A replica of Passport (please check the expiration date)

4) Agreement on Provision of Personal Information to a Third Party.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the KOICA Youth Leaders Program