The Africa Board Fellowship connects board members and CEOs through peer learning and exchange to strengthen the governance of financial institutions serving low-income clients in sub-Saharan Africa.

Program activities, structure, and content have been carefully designed to create an open atmosphere that allows for frank discussion among peers. Fellows identify their objectives for the program and then work with a program advisor on achieving those goals. Additionally, fellows have access throughout the program to a participant-led virtual community forum with tools, resources, content, and access to subject-matter experts. At the conclusion of the program, fellows stay connected as alumni, providing a network of leaders confronting similar challenges.

The fellowship is made up of three components:

Peer Learning Seminars: World-class experts and leaders in microfinance and financial inclusion will facilitate and engage participants in an active dialogue on governance and risk. Seminars are an interactive combination of guided discussion and peer-to-peer exchange on governance, best practices and risk-management strategies, with an emphasis on fellows sharing knowledge and experience.

Virtual Forum: Fellows engage in regular knowledge-sharing activities, online meetings, training and discussion forums. This virtual community forum provides regularly updated content on governance and risk, and the ability to speak with faculty, classmates or subject-matter experts. This content will be supplemented by webinars in which participants can connect on specific technical questions and share personal experiences.

Program Advising: Personal advisors help fellows to establish individual and institution governance goals, working with them toward specific changes they seek to make. Advisory sessions provide a targeted approach to improving governance capacity, with fellows working to build plans and monitor progress against goals.

Fellowship Offers:

• Access to high-quality faculty 
• Opportunity to learn from the experience of others
• High-caliber fellow participants
• Platform for African MFI leaders to discuss, share ideas, and acquire new knowledge
• Opportunity to connect with peers struggling with similar issues 
• Strong, practical, hands-on agenda with clear take-aways and motivation to implement
• A flexible, personalized program that is tailored to the needs of individual fellows and MFI

Topics to be covered:

• Managing sustainable growth
• Technology trends and innovations
• Risk management strategies
• Succession planning 
• Alignment of interests
• Dealing with industry crises 
• Conflict resolution
• Navigating competitive environments
• Managing new regulations
• Client Protection
• Social Performance

Steering Committee