I wrote this for one reason: I want young Africans doing serious work in their communities to take advantage of opportunities to scale their projects and increase their impact as young leaders. Last year, we reviewed almost 6,000 applications for the Sir Cyril Taylor Young African Leaders Program, from which ten people were selected. Drawing on insights from the evaluation of that cohort, I have put together some general advice for prospective applicants. The third cohort has now been announced and applications are open.
If you are a young African leader who is determined to make a difference and committed to creating impact, I encourage you to apply.
What I am about to share will not guarantee selection in a program this competitive. But these lessons may help you strengthen your application and improve your chances of making the shortlist or at least the waiting list.
So, read carefully. Then act on it.
1. You listed too many SDGs.
The average applicant cited 4-5 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). That sounds thorough, but it can signal that an applicant has not clearly identified what their work is actually about.
The applications that stood out were more focused. They identified one or two goals and explained exactly how their work connected to them.
Specificity is not a limitation. It is evidence that you understand your work. The lesson is not that you should always select fewer SDGs. It is that you should be able to explain clearly how your work contributes to the goals you identify.
2. Your essay was too short. Or too long.
Some applicants submitted fewer than 100 words across all three essay fields combined. That is not enough space to communicate the depth of your work effectively.
Reviewers are looking for evidence of your thinking and it is difficult to demonstrate that in 80 words. But the opposite is also true. Writing more does not automatically make your application stronger. Length only works when you have evidence behind it. Every word needs to carry weight. If you have real proof of work, a longer essay gives you room to explain your impact and make your evidence count, including by sharing links to videos and other supporting materials where appropriate. If you do not, a longer essay simply exposes the gap faster.
Write to the depth of your evidence, not to a word count.
3. You wrote about passion. We needed proof.
“I am passionate about youth empowerment” appeared in hundreds of applications. So did “I am committed to sustainable development.”
These statements communicate good intentions, but they tell a reviewer very little about what you have actually accomplished. What we needed to see was:
- How many people did your initiative reach?
- What did you actually build?
- What changed because of your work?
- What did you learn along the way?
Numbers. Names. Outcomes. Show the work.
And remember, impact does not always mean reaching thousands of people. If your initiative is still at an early stage, be honest about what you have accomplished, what you have learned and what you are doing next. Credible evidence is more valuable than inflated claims.
4. Do not use AI to manufacture evidence.
A salad of adjectives makes no sense when there are no nouns or verbs to qualify. Reviewers who have read thousands of applications can usually tell the difference between someone describing their impact and someone decorating the absence of it.
AI can help you communicate your work more clearly, structure your thoughts and refine your writing. But it cannot manufacture genuine impact where none exists.
Use it as a tool to tell your story better, not to invent a story you cannot substantiate. Make sure your application reflects your actual experience, your own thinking and the work you have done.
If you do not yet have much evidence of impact, do not be tempted to manufacture it for an application. Roll up your sleeves. Go out and build something. Learn from the experience. Document your progress. Then tell that story honestly.
5. Apply early.
Do not wait until the last day to submit your application. Rushed essays show. Missing details show. Incomplete fields show.
Give yourself enough time to write a draft, step away, return to it and revise. Check your answers, review your supporting materials and make sure everything is complete before submitting. The strongest applications are rarely the product of a last-minute rush. Treat the application as a project, not a form to fill.
6. Check your passport before you apply.
Several applications were removed at the first screening stage because of passport problems. Some applicants did not have valid passports, while others had passports that had expired.
This program requires international travel. Your passport is not a bonus requirement. Check its validity and expiry date before you submit your application and make sure you understand any applicable travel requirements.
Do not let an avoidable administrative issue stand between you and an opportunity.
7. Get your name and details right.
Some people submitted duplicate applications under the same name. Others submitted applications containing names that did not match their supporting documents or other details.
In a pool of almost 6000 applications, details matter. Make sure your name, passport information and supporting documents are consistent before you press submit.
Read through your application one final time. Check every field. Make sure the information you provide is accurate and that your supporting documents match.
These may seem like small things. But a strong application also demonstrates care and attention to detail.
Finally, give yourself a real chance.
A competitive application is not built on big words, a long essay or a list of impressive-sounding goals. It starts with meaningful work, a clear understanding of the problem you are addressing, evidence of what you have accomplished and the ability to communicate it honestly.
You do not need to have changed the world already. You do need to demonstrate initiative, show what you have learned and make a credible case for how an opportunity like this could help you take your work further.
And if you are doing the work, do not undersell it. Be specific. Show your evidence. Take the application seriously.
And if you are not there yet, start building.
Good luck!