Preferred candidates for the Archbishop Tutu Leadership Programme (ATLP) are people, who, by their actions and achievements, and the values and principles by which they conduct their affairs, have demonstrated their potential as an ethical leader committed to contributing to positive change and development of the continent. We are seeking the cream of Africa’s emerging leaders – people who are expected to be the top level leaders in their sphere of activity in the next 5 to 10 years if they are not already in that position, and who are actively engaged in making Africa a better place to live.

They will be between 30 and 40 years of age.  They must be older than 30 on 30 April 2024 and younger than 40 years on 30 April 2024. Candidates can come from any sector of society – business, government or civil society. Candidates nominated and selected for the programme must demonstrate many of the following characteristics:

• Ability to Inspire others to believe in themselves and the cause; to liberate and empower others to succeed
• Committed to serving their constituency (stakeholders/cause) and community, ahead of self-gratification
• Confident, optimistic, with high expectations and high energy
• Courage to take risks – be prepared to fail; challenge the status quo; do things that may be unpopular
• Determination and strong professional will
• High values, standards and ethics
• Humility – chosen to lead rather than a self-imposed leader
• Visionary, strategic and forward thinking – leading for a better future
• Systemic thinker – ability to assimilate, simplify and channel complex inter-connected forces to advantage
• Empathy and a strong relationship builder

Candidates must be citizens of an African country, and must be currently living in Africa, or temporarily placed abroad by their employer or completing further education abroad or working on African projects for a global organisation. They should be committed to living in Africa and to actively contributing to its long-term success. There can be some flexibility on African citizenship if the candidate has lived in Africa for more than 10 years and is genuinely committed to living on the continent. We are keen to seek candidates who may not otherwise have access to such a leadership training opportunity.

Only nominated candidates will be considered for admission into the African Leadership Institute's Tutu Leadership Programme. Nominators are required to complete the Nomination Form here on this website for a proposed candidate and should note the deadline to do so on the Key Dates and Deadlines page.  Late nominations will not be accepted.

Nominated candidates who meet the nomination criteria will be sent a link to an online Application Form to complete on this website and which must be finalized before the closing date for applications. Nominators, please ensure that the email address you are using for the candidate is both correct, and one they check and use regularly.  The email address you provide is our only contact with them.  If the email address you provide does not work, they will miss the chance to apply. 

Selection of the applicants will be completed in early the following year. The decision of the selection panel will be final, and no correspondence will be entered on the selection - or not - of individual candidates.  Please see the Key Dates and Deadlines page.

Short-listed Candidates will be required to sign a Commitment Form before being considered for final selection. Partners and children will not be able to accompany candidates on the workshops.