Applications open for Commonwealth Africa Cyber Fellowships

Applications are now open for citizens of Commonwealth countries in Africa to join the prestigious Commonwealth Africa Cyber Fellowship programme.

Set up in 2022, the fellowship is a unique platform for cybersecurity experts from Commonwealth countries in Africa to exchange knowledge, foster partnerships and influence the policy work of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Selected experts will serve as fellows for a year. They get exclusive access to academic research opportunities, networking events and annual conferences, with a focus on enhancing cybersecurity policies and institutions across Commonwealth countries in Africa.

Eligibility

Any citizen of a Commonwealth country in Africa, between the age of 21 and 65, can apply to join the fellowship. Applicants must also have at least five years of work experience in cybersecurity in the fields of law, policymaking, telecommunications, academia or related sectors.

Announcing the fellowship, Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, encouraged all eligible candidates to apply.

She added:

“In today’s interconnected world, the importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated. Cybercrime is a global issue that affects us all. By working together, we are better, faster and more effective in safeguarding our online world.

“So, our fellowship is not only an opportunity; it is a call to action. It brings together experts from different sectors – who might not usually collaborate – to harness their expertise and craft solutions that will enable us all to enjoy the benefits of the internet without worry.”

Application process

To apply, applicants must submit the following documents to [email protected] by 23:59 GMT on 10 December 2023:

their resume;
a cover letter; and
a letter of support from their respective organisation.

This is the second cycle of the Commonwealth Africa Fellowship programme, supported by the United Kingdom’s International Development Office.

It is designed to support the delivery of the Commonwealth Cyber Declaration, a framework agreed by Commonwealth countries in 2018 to promote a safe and prosperous cyberspace for 2.5 billion Commonwealth citizens.

Learn more about the Commonwealth Cyber Declaration Programme