H.R. 965 — what changed

changed the United States Government should prioritize investments to build the capacity of young emerging young African leaders in sub-Saharan Africa, including through efforts to enhance leadership skills, encourage entrepreneurship, strengthen public administration and the role of civil society, and connect young African leaders continentally and globally across the private, civic, and public sectors.

changed Duties—Purpose— The YALI program shall seek to build to the capacity of young African leaders in sub-Saharan Africa in the areas of business, civic engagement, entrepreneurship and business development, or public administration, including through efforts to—

changed support young African leaders by offering professional development development, training, and a global network to share expertise, including networking opportunities, particularly in the areas of civic leadership, innovation, civic engagement, elections, human rights, entrepreneurship, good governance governance, and public management;administration; and

changed provide increased economic and technical assistance to young African leaders and entrepreneurs, to promote economic growth and strengthen ties between United States and African businesses.

changed Fellowships— The YALI program shall award fellowships under the Mandela Washington Fellowships Fellowship for Young African Leaders program to young African leaders ages 18 to 35 who have demonstrated strong capabilities in entrepreneurship, innovation, public service, and leadership, and who have had a positive impact in their communities, organizations, or institutions.

changed Regional leadership centers— The YALI program shall seek to establish regional leadership centers in sub-Saharan Africa to offer training to young African leaders ages 18 to 35 who have demonstrated strong capabilities in entrepreneurship, innovation, public service and leadership, and who have had a positive impact in their communities, organizations, or institutions, by seeking to establish regional leadership centers in sub-Saharan Africa.institutions.

changed United states-based States-based activities— The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator for the United States Agency for International Development, Development and the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, shall oversee all United States-based activities carried out under the YALI program, including the following:

changed The participation of Mandela Washington Fellows fellows in a six-week Leadership Institute at a United States university or college in business, civic engagement, or public management, including academic sessions, site visits, professional networking opportunities, leadership training, community service, and organized cultural activities.

changed The participation by Mandela Washington Fellows fellows in an annual Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit, to provide such Fellows the opportunity to meet with United States leaders from the private, public, and non-profit sectors.

changed Africa-based activities— The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator for the United States Agency for International Development and the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, should continue to support overseas initiatives of the program, YALI programs in sub-Saharan Africa, including the following:

changed Quality Access to continued leadership training, professional development, training and networking other professional development opportunities for Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders alumni upon their return to their home countries, including online courses.courses, technical assistance, and access to funding.

changed Training for young African leaders at regional leadership centers established in accordance with subsection (d), and through online and in-person courses offered by such centers.

changed Opportunities for networking and engagement with—

changed other alumni of the Mandela Washington Fellowship;Fellowship for Young African Leaders;

changed alumni of the programs at YALI Regional Leadership Centers regional leadership centers established in accordance with subsection (d), who offer leadership training programs at higher education institutions in sub-Saharan Africa; (d); and

changed American United States and African professionals like-minded diplomatic missions, business leaders, and experts.others as appropriate.

changed Implementation— To carry out this subsection, United States diplomatic and consular posts, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, Development and the Secretary heads of State, other relevant Federal departments and agency external partners managing agencies shall seek to partner with the private sector to pursue public-private partnerships, leverage private sector expertise, expand networking opportunities, and implementing identify funding opportunities as well as fellowship and employment opportunities for participants in the YALI program—program.

changed Annual reports— The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator A description of USAID, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees clearly defined program goals, targets, and publish in a publicly accessible, internet-based form, an annual report planned outcomes for the 5-year period beginning on each year and for the date duration of the enactment implementation of this Act on—the program.

changed Final report— Not later than December 1, 2025, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of USAID, shall submit A strategy to the appropriate congressional committees a final assessment report that evaluates YALI program implementation monitor and outcomes during the entire duration of YALI program operation, including recommendations regarding whether evaluate the YALI program should be reauthorized and any changes that would improve its effectiveness.progress made toward achieving such goals, targets, and planned outcomes.

changed Definitions—Report— In Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section:Act, and annually thereafter for 5 years, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees and publish in a publicly accessible, internet–based form, a report on the following:

changed Appropriate congressional committees— The term appropriate congressional committees means—progress made toward achieving the goals, targets, and planned outcomes described in subsection (f)(1), including an overview of the program implemented in the previous year and an estimated number of beneficiaries.

changed Implementing agency external partners— The term implementing agency external partners means any external partner that An assessment of how the YALI program is not a United States Government agency, contributing to and may include one or more promoting United States-Africa relations, particularly in areas of the following entities:increased private sector investment, trade promotion, support to civil society, improved public administration, and fostering entrepreneurship and youth empowerment.