Yango STEM Fellowship Expands to Six African Countries

Yango has expanded its Yango STEM Fellowship into a Pan-African program, extending its reach to six African countries and supporting the development of young talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The fellowship, which launched in Zambia in 2024 with 30 students, now operates across Ghana, Zambia, Senegal, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Côte d’Ivoire.

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For its latest cohort, Yango received more than 600 applications and selected 24 fellows to participate in the program. The initiative provides STEM students with financial support, mentorship, and practical opportunities to develop their skills and pursue innovations addressing challenges across Africa.

Yango said the expansion reflects its commitment to investing in Africa’s next generation of innovators and creating opportunities for young people across different markets.

Growth of the Yango STEM Fellowship

By combining financial support with mentorship and practical experience, the fellowship aims to give emerging STEM talent more than just academic exposure. It provides participants with opportunities to develop ideas, strengthen their technical and entrepreneurial skills, and explore solutions with potential real-world applications.

The program’s expansion also comes as African countries seek to strengthen their digital economies and build a larger pipeline of technology talent capable of supporting innovation across sectors.

The 24 fellows will gather in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from September 17 to 19, 2026, for the Pan-African Yango Fellowship Graduation & Pitch Day.

As part of the event, participants will showcase their innovations and pitch their projects to a panel of judges before completing the fellowship program.

Impact on African Tech Innovation

The event will also provide an opportunity to bring together young STEM innovators from across the six participating countries, creating a platform for knowledge exchange and potential collaboration.

Africa’s technology ambitions depend not only on infrastructure and investment but also on developing a strong pipeline of local technical talent.

Expanding programs such as the Yango STEM Fellowship across multiple countries can help expose more young people to mentorship, practical innovation, and cross-border networks. Over time, these opportunities could contribute to the development of startups, research projects, and technology solutions designed around African needs.

The selection of 24 fellows from more than 600 applicants also highlights the level of interest among young Africans seeking opportunities in STEM and technology.

As the fellowship expands, its impact will increasingly depend on whether participants can translate the skills, networks, and ideas developed through the program into businesses, research, and solutions that create lasting value across African markets.

Yango thanked the participating students, partners, and its teams for supporting the fellowship and contributing to its expansion across the continent.