CodePink Africa Fellowship Program 2026

Program Overview

CodePink Africa is an annual virtual fellowship program designed to empower African women with specialized AI expertise to lead innovation in Africa. The program is open to women across all African countries and focuses on industry-dominant AI applications through our signature three-phase journey: intensive learning, mentorship, and real-world impact. We've pivoted from general engineering to niche AI specializations positioned to dominate the African economy in 2026.

The 3-Tiered Structure

We maintain our signature three-phase journey to ensure a transition from theory to industry leadership:

Tier 1: The Learning Labs (August – October 2026)
Format: Hybrid-Virtual. Intensive instructor-led sessions (2 per week) + self-paced lab work. Every student receives a Personal AI Learning Assistant built on the e86 infrastructure for real-time debugging and tutoring support.

Tier 2: The Mentorship Circle (August – October 2026)
Format: Small-group pods (1 Mentor to 5 Fellows). Professional soft power development—communication, networking, and technical leadership. Building the confidence to lead in the AI-driven global marketplace.

Tier 3: The Impact Internship (October – December 2026)
Format: Placement with e86 partners or Internal Venture Studio projects. Real-world delivery in cross-functional teams (AI Ethicist, Designer, Automation Lead working together on one solution).

2026 Specialized AI Curriculum

For the 2026 cohort, CodePink Africa offers training in specialized AI-native tracks:

AI & ML Track:
1. Agentic AI & MLOps – Moving beyond prompts to building autonomous systems that solve multi-step problems.

NEW Tracks:
2. AI Ethics & Governance – Policy & Auditing: Ensuring AI is fair, unbiased, and compliant with emerging African data laws.
3. AI for Fintech & Finance – Financial Intelligence: Building AI models for credit scoring, fraud detection, and automated trading.
4. No-Code AI Automation – Business Logic: Using tools like Zapier/Make + LLMs to build complex workflows without writing code.
5. AI for Creative Industries – Generative Media: Advanced AI for film post-production, music composition, and digital fashion.

Other Specialized Tracks:
6. AI Product Orchestration – Managing the lifecycle of automated digital products and AI-market fit.
7. Data Storytelling & Real-time Ops – Moving from static reports to real-time predictive dashboards for business decisions.
8. Human-AI Interaction (HAII) – Designing interfaces for AI agents, voice-first UX, and immersive spatial computing.

Program Structure

1. Learning Labs (August - October 2026): Successful candidates will embark on a comprehensive, intensive virtual training journey in their chosen AI track. Our structured program combines twice-weekly live sessions, engaging assignments, and practical projects to ensure specialized mastery. Through interactive live sessions, you'll receive guidance from experienced instructors and have the opportunity to ask questions and clarify doubts in real-time. The innovation: Every student gets a Personal AI Learning Assistant (built on e86 infrastructure) for real-time debugging, 24/7 tutoring, and personalized learning path recommendations. To reinforce theoretical knowledge, you'll work on real-world case studies and projects that simulate actual industry scenarios, developing the expertise and confidence needed to excel in AI-driven fields. By the end, you'll have a portfolio of AI projects that demonstrate your specialized expertise.

2. Mentorship Circle (August - October 2026, runs concurrently with Learning Labs): This is an integral part of the CodePink Africa fellowship. Successful candidates will be organized into small pods (1 Mentor to 5 Fellows) with experienced AI professionals who provide personalized guidance, feedback, and support throughout your journey. You'll gain access to exclusive resources, industry insights, and networking opportunities to expand your professional network. Focus: Professional "Soft" Power—communication skills, networking strategies, and technical leadership development. Through regular group mentorship sessions and individual mentor check-ins, mentors will help you build confidence to lead in the AI-driven global marketplace. Our mentors are passionate about developing the next generation of African tech leaders and are committed to your success.

3. Impact Internship (October - December 2026): After completing the learning and mentorship phases, fellows will apply their AI expertise in a real-world setting through our impact internship program. This phase is designed to provide practical experience and exposure to industry-leading practices. Interns work in cross-functional teams combining diverse expertise (AI Ethicist, Designer, Automation Lead, etc.) on real partner projects or internal Venture Studio initiatives. You'll gain practical experience in your chosen AI specialization, exposure to industry trends and best practices, and valuable networking opportunities with partners. The internship enhances your portfolio, resume, and potentially leads to employment or continuation opportunities with our partner organizations.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the CodePink Africa fellowship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Be a female.
2. Be a citizen of an African country.
3. Be between the ages of 18 and above.
4. Be able to communicate in English language.
4. Be able to communicate in English language.
5. Have a strong interest in AI technology and a desire to learn.
6. Be available for the entire duration of the program (5 months: August - December 2026).
7. Have access to a computer, stable internet, and reliable power supply.
8. Basic knowledge of digital tools and technology is an added advantage.
9. Be willing to commit to the program and actively participate in all learning labs, mentorship activities, and internship opportunities.

Program Benefits

1. Tuition-free training in specialized, high-demand AI fields.
2. Personal AI Learning Assistant (e86 infrastructure) for real-time debugging and 24/7 support.
3. Access to expert mentors in the AI and tech industry.
4. Hands-on experience through real-world projects and internships with partner organizations.
5. Connect with a vibrant community of professionals, peers from diverse backgrounds, industry experts and thought leaders, CodePink Africa alumni.
6. A certificate of completion upon successful completion of the program.
7. Access to job placement assistance and career development resources.
8. Portfolio-building opportunities through AI projects and real-world internship work.

Application Process

1. Download the Prime Learning app and fill out the CodePink Africa Fellowship application form (See app download links below) or complete your application on the web here.
2. Submit all the required information including your desired AI track.
3. Shortlisted candidates will undergo a selection process, which may include an assessment or interview.
4. Selected fellows will receive an official acceptance email with onboarding details and track assignment.

How to Apply

1. Download the Prime Learning app.

    

2. Setup your account and log in or complete your application on the web here.
3. Click on the CodePink Africa Fellowship menu item.
4. Fill out the application form, select your desired AI track, and submit.
5. Wait for the selection process to be completed.
6. If selected, you will receive an official acceptance email with your tier placement and AI track assignment.

The deadline for applications is June 30, 2026.

If you're passionate about AI and eager to gain specialized skills that will position you as a leader in Africa's tech economy, apply now and be part of this transformative journey!

The CodePink Africa Fellowship Program is a proudly sponsored initiative of e86.org.