The Young African Leaders in Infrastructure Fellowship (YALIF) is a program designed to develop young leaders in infrastructure development across Africa. YALIF identifies and deploys highly commercially aware professionals as 'Young Infrastructure Fellows' to work on early-stage infrastructure projects within the continent.

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COHORT 3.0

NEXT COHORT APPLICATION OPENS

JAN 2025

Process

Why YALIF ?

By participating in YALIF, you will connect with emerging leaders and industry experts in infrastructure development across Africa.

You will be able to make valuable connections and network through dedicated sub-groups. Additionally, you will receive free lessons on developing and financing infrastructure projects in Africa. Outstanding performance in YALIF can lead to employment opportunities in the infrastructure sector, making this fellowship an invaluable step towards a successful career in infrastructure.

Application and Selection

The YALIF application is open to all eligible applicants and the selection process is completely merit-based.

Stage 1: At the close of the application window, all eligible applications will be assessed by independent reviewers and 30 top scorers will be picked for the next stage of the selection process as finalists.

Stage 2: The top 10 Finalists will undergo a Five (5) week of skill set training in research for infrastructure sectors, business law, policy analysis, and pitch development.

Getting into YALIF

Stage 3: Selected fellows will be mandated to attend the Brickstone Capacity Building Programmes (Developing & Financing Infrastructure Projects), part of the Brickstone Infrastructure Acceleration Programme, and work on their assigned projects.

Upon conclusion of the YALIF, Fellows would be asked to present the various Assignments, Financial Modelling Assignments, Bankability Planning Reports, and Infrastructure Pitch Deck for their given projects.

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FAQ about YALIF

Benefits of the YALIF Programme

The Fellowship for Young Leaders offers the opportunity to:

Participate in an 8-week professional training program on Developing & Financing Infrastructure Projects taught by globally acclaimed experts
Explore industries beyond your daily work and expand your expertise
Gain mentorship and the opportunity to design and propose solutions to local infrastructure problems
Attend a virtual summit with other young infrastructure leaders, providing a platform for interaction and networking
Meet and network with top industry and business leaders who serve as instructors
Potentially secure employment opportunities in the infrastructure project finance sector based on performance

How much commitment is Required for YALIF

Key Commitment Requirements

The Young African Leaders in Infrastructure Fellowship (YALIF) program is a very intensive unpaid internship offering free training over eight weeks. it is Compulsory and Required to attend all meetings and live sessions daily (see details below), review pre-recorded training videos, submit assignments on time, and analyze case studies while adhering to program deadlines.

All times are (GMT+1)

Daily Engagement: Monday to Thursday, 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Daily Feedback: Monday to Friday, 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Weekly Prep Session with Brickstone: Monday, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Weekly Prep Session with Sub-Group: Monday or Tuesday, 1 hour
Live Sessions:
- Wednesday, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- Thursday, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

How much does YALIF cost?

YALIF is a free program but requires you to have a laptop, a strong internet connection, and the ability to complete the program's assignments.

Eligibility for participation

Intending participants must meet the following criteria:

Be between the ages of 22 and 40 on or before the application deadline.
Hold a degree with a minimum of Second Class
Be prepared to commit 100% to uninterrupted, dedicated online work and study for 8 weeks.
Be aware that this is an intensive immersion program requiring at least 8 hours per week for personal readings and assignments, in addition, live lectures and case study reviews.
Be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English.

Eligible countries

Be citizens of one of the following countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe.

Application & Evaluation Criteria

Applications are open until July 31, 2024. (See the registration button and follow the instructions to apply.) The next cohort begins in August 2024. Follow our LinkedIn Page for more updates.

The following criteria will be used to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):

Avalability to commit to the YALIF programme for 8 weeks
Demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship
Ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and respect the opinions of others
Strong social and communication skills
Energetic, positive attitude
Demonstrated knowledge of, interest in, and professional experience in law, infrastructure, renewable energy, economics, finance, or engineering

Testimonials

Live Projects Sectors

Industrial Agriculture Infrastructure

Cultivation, Post Harvest Processing & Storage Infrastructure

Modular Healthcare Infrastructure

Mother-Newborn-Child Hospitals, Diagnosis & Medical Equipment’s

Off-Grid Power Solutions

Captive Gas Power, Solar & Wind but focus on Commercial & Industrial

Contracted Income Properties

Warehouses, Mixed-Use Developments, Purpose Built Student Housing

Alternative Fuels

BioGas, BioDisel, Hydrogen, Ethanol, CCSU and other green fuels

Last Mile Internet & Data Centers

Cloud Storage Facilities & Data Centers

Flare Gas Commercialization

Modular Gas to Liquids, Gas Scrubbing & Modular Fertilizer Plants

Multi Modal Logistics & Terminals

Mini Urban Terminals (Land & Inalnd Water) & Mass Transit EV Buses

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Get Involved

Participate as a Partner

As a partner in the Young African Leaders in Infrastructure Fellowship (YALIF), you can contribute as a sponsor or potential employer. Support the development of future leaders by sponsoring participants, or offering employment opportunities to YALIF graduates. You can also nominate young professionals from your organization to participate in the program for free.

Be a Speaker

The YALIF is a platform for you to share your leadership insights on infrastructure development in Africa.

If you would like to be a speaker, please send us your biography and expertise. This information will help us determine the session topics that best align with your experience and knowledge, allowing us to collaboratively define the most impactful sessions for you to contribute to.

Become a Sponsor

By becoming a sponsor, you play a crucial role in its success. While the program is free for participants, your contributions can support scholarships, program materials, networking events, and mentorship opportunities.

Your sponsorship of YALIF helps nurture the next generation of infrastructure leaders in Africa, empowering them to make a significant impact in their communities and beyond.

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Fellowship Agenda Outline

YALIF Programme Outline

Agenda
8 week YALIF

Week 0

Orientation

Introductory Session & Briefing about YALIF
Capstone Project Portfolio De-briefing
Training on Preparatory Demo Session

Week 1

Ideation and Conception Stage

Introduction to the Course
Overview of Project Finance
Risk Allocation
Key Concepts for Infrapreneurs
Contract Mechanics in Project Finance

Week 2

Construction on the northern portion of U.S. 181 leading to the Corpus Christi Harbor Bridge in Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S., on Thursday, April 1, 2021. Republicans may be ready to support limited infrastructure funding in President Biden's spending proposal, which would require scaling back the $2.25 trillion plan by more than two thirds, a senior GOP senator said. Photographer: Eddie Seal/Bloomberg

Early Stage Development Stage

Introduction to the Early Development Stage
Project Development Stages
The Early Development Stage
Understanding why you need a Preliminary Financial Model (Baseline Appraisal Approach)

Week 3

Pre-Financing Stage

The Pre-Financing Stage-
Achieving Bankability I - Predictable Cashflow
Achieving Bankability II – Fixed Construction Delivery & Operations
Achieving Bankability III – Governance & Sustainability

Week 4

Financing Stage

Introduction to Financing Stage & Deal Structuring
Project Due-Diligence
Climate Considerations in Infrastructure
Key Issues in EPC Contract
Engaging with Lenders
Sponsor-based Financial Models
Finance Documentation (CTA and ILFA)
Outline of common term sheet review
Security Arrangements & Direct Agreements
Credit Enhancement in Infrastructure Project
Achieving Financial Close

Week 5

Post-Financial Close

Post Financial Close Activities

Understanding Financial Close
Client Responsibilities
Getting into Operations

Week 6

Preparing The Capstone Report

Detailing the Bankability Planning Report to a Project Business Case
Draft & Create the Project Business Case.
- Project Overview
- Legal & Regulatory Overview of Sector
- Risk Register of Project
Conclude Draft 1 of the Project Business Case

Week 7

Draft Capstone Report

Create the Project Business Case.
- Project ES Scoping
- Preliminary Financial Model
- Pre-Development Budget
Conclude Draft 2 of the Project Business Case

Week 8

Close Out Session

Capstone Presentation

Infrastructure Sectors

speakers

partners

YALIF Facilitators

Speakers and Organizers providing thought Leadership

Femi Awofala

Conveyer

Lead Partner
Brickstone Africa

Jobalo Oshikanlu

Deputy CEO
ARM Harith

Ibukun Faluyi

Managing Director
Vicinia Solutions Ltd

Bayode Akomolafe

Global Program Officer

GE FieldCore

Bunmi Folayan

Principal Infrastructure Consultant
CPCS

Chinenye Ajayi

Managing Associate
Olaniwun Ajayi

Abbas Agbaje

Managing Director
Impact Crest

Jacinda Efemenah

Infrastructure Analyst
Brickstone

YALIF Fellow Capstone Research Report

Registration Form

REGISTRATION OPENS FROM JANUARY 2025

COHORT 3.0

JAN 2025

Process

Why YALIF ?

Application and Selection

Getting into YALIF

Ready to find out more about getting Involved?

FAQ about YALIF

Testimonials

Live Projects Sectors

Industrial Agriculture Infrastructure

Modular Healthcare Infrastructure

Off-Grid Power Solutions

Contracted Income Properties

Alternative Fuels

Last Mile Internet & Data Centers

Flare Gas Commercialization

Multi Modal Logistics & Terminals

Ready to find out more about getting Involved?

Get Involved

Participate as a Partner

Be a Speaker

Become a Sponsor

Ready to find out more about getting Involved?

YALIF Programme Outline

Agenda 8 week YALIF

Week 0

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Infrastructure Sectors

speakers

partners

YALIF Facilitators

Speakers and Organizers providing thought Leadership

Femi Awofala

Conveyer

Jobalo Oshikanlu

Ibukun Faluyi

Bayode Akomolafe

Bunmi Folayan

Chinenye Ajayi

Abbas Agbaje

Jacinda Efemenah

YALIF Fellow Capstone Research Report

Registration Form

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Agenda
8 week YALIF