After a two-year pause, Library Aid Africa has officially commenced the 2026 cohort of the YALLF Fellowship. This program is dedicated to building the leadership capacity of selected young library professionals across Africa over a one-year period.

The fellowship, which started in 2020, boasts of 100 alumni from 19 African nations and more than 50 initiatives that provide access to information, advance education, and close exclusion gaps in underserved communities and vulnerable populations. Aune Iyambo and Elizabeth Matheus, YALLF 2022, brought digital literacy training to teachers in government schools in the Otjozondjupa and Khomas regions of Namibia in 2022. Their project, through the International Computer Driving License (ICDL), gave teachers access to available ICT resources and trained them to use digital tools and resources for teaching. For Lurato Lungwane, YALLF 2022, her capstone project was an intervention to support local farmers and increase food production in Botswana. Lurato worked with her library to provide information on soil testing, disease control, agricultural marketing and basic ICT skills for local farmers while translating some resources to her local language of Setswana in Botswana

Fellows learn from industry experts, build professional networks, and lead an initiative in response to a real library and community challenge. Over the years, YALLF fellows contribute to the sustainable development goals ranging from zero hunger, quality education, decent work and economic growth, reduced inequalities, etc. through libraries.

In the past year, Library Aid Africa, under the Impact Fellowship Network (IFN) of IREX, has been investigating and documenting the impact of the program, capturing the stories of our fellows, their libraries, and the communities they serve since inception.

The 2026 cohort is a vibrant team of 12 fellows selected from applications received across five countries. A mix of professionals just beginning their library careers and those who have already spent a few meaningful years in the field.

Meet the 2026 YALLF Fellows: Elizabeth Kamati, Elizabeth Tarre, Ifeoma Okoye, Elizabeth Queen Mauritinus, Peter Omorogieva, Moses Nwilo, Ifeoma Okoye, Helena Hainghumbi, Temitope Mabawonku, Tobiloba Ajayi, Ogochuwu Abumisi, Salome Rebecca Omolara Abraham and Umma Kaltumi Ibrahim

YALLF alumni continue to rise professionally, with some now holding national library leadership positions across Africa and contributing to the broader goal of development. This reflects the quality of facilitation the fellowship has maintained over the years. We bring in industry experts to provide guidance and mentorship and this year is no different.

Meet Our 2026 Facilitators:

• Daniel Nwaeze, One Young World, UK- Media and Information Literacy
• Melba Mabuku, University Librarian, The International University of Management,Namibia- Libraries and Sustainable Development Plans
• Victor Ejechi, Data Analyst, Nigeria - Digital Storytelling
• Namakau Mayungo, Kimasala Public Library, Zambia - Project Design and Implementation
• Damilare Oyedele, CEO, Library Aid Africa - Leading Change for Libraries

To learn more about the 2026 fellows and their expectations, go to https://yallf.libraryaidafrica.org/