Call For Applications: AfricaCDC Youth Digital Health Champions (Y-DHC)

The Youth Digital Health Champions (Y-DHC) program seeks to identify, profile, and connect dynamic young leaders who are actively shaping the digital health landscape across Africa. Champions will serve as role models, advocates, and collaborators in advancing digital health innovation, policy, and practice. The initiative aims to build a visible and impactful network that can inform policies, strengthen local innovation ecosystems, and amplify youth leadership across the continent.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet all of the following minimum requirements:

Age: Must be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of application.
Nationality/Residency: Must be a citizen of an African Union member state. Africans in the diaspora can also apply.
Language Proficiency: Proficiency in at least one of these languages – English, French, Arabic, Portuguese (with ability to participate in cross-lingual platforms preferred).
Engagement in Digital Health: Must be actively involved in digital health through one or more of the following:

Innovation (e.g., startup founder, technology developer)
Research and Academia
Public health programs utilizing digital tools
Policy development or advocacy
Capacity building or digital literacy initiatives

Benefits

1- Visibility and Recognition: Featured profiles and stories shared across Africa CDC and YiDHN channels, raising the visibility of each Champion’s work at national, regional, and continental levels.

2- Access to High-Level Convenings: Opportunities to participate in YiDHN-branded webinars, policy dialogues, and Africa CDC forums to share insights, influence agendas, and build credibility. Some Youth Champions will be selected to participate in the Africa HealthTech Summit – #AHTS2025
3- Peer Networking and Collaboration: Connection to a vibrant, cross-continental community of like-minded digital health innovators and advocates for shared learning and joint initiatives.

4- Capacity Building and Policy Engagement: Priority invitations to training sessions, workshops, and policy engagements designed to enhance leadership, technical, and advocacy skills.

5- Support for scaleup and expansion: The initiative will pursue strategic partnerships and sponsorships aimed at unlocking additional opportunities. This will include access to seed funding and support for youth-led digital health startups, mentorship and coaching from industry leaders, participation in Continental and international innovation challenges, fellowships, and accelerator programs.

Duration of the engagement: 12 months

Required Submission Materials