Ulalo’s Executive Director, James Gondwe, selected for the Elevate Africa Fellowship Class of 2026

*Our Executive Director is part of the Elevate Africa Fellowship Class of 2026, advancing community-driven solutions through leadership.*

Ulalo is proud to announce that its Founder and Executive Director, James Gondwe, has been selected as part of the Elevate Africa Fellowship Class of 2026, a prestigious pan-African leadership programme bringing together emerging leaders from across the continent.

The 2026 cohort was selected from over 4,000 applicants across more than 40 countries, with only 23 fellows chosen, representing 18 African nations and a diverse range of sectors. The fellowship focuses on strengthening the capacity of African leaders who are shaping systems, institutions, and narratives that will define the continent’s future.

*Selected members for Elevate Africa Fellowship class of 2026!*

James’s selection recognises over a decade of leadership in advancing equitable education, community development, and locally led solutions through Ulalo. Under his leadership, Ulalo has grown into a nationally recognised organisation working across education, health ecosystems, climate-smart livelihoods, and youth empowerment, in partnership with government, communities, and international stakeholders.

Speaking on the selection, James Gondwe said:

“This opportunity reflects not just my journey, but the work of communities, partners, and the Ulalo team who continue to demonstrate that sustainable change is possible when solutions are locally led. I look forward to learning from fellow leaders across Africa and contributing to conversations that strengthen systems and institutions on the continent.”

Through its programmes, Ulalo has implemented large-scale initiatives including digital learning in public schools, school meals linked to climate-smart agriculture, and community infrastructure development, contributing to improved learning outcomes, strengthened local systems, and expanded opportunities for thousands of learners and communities.

The Elevate Africa Fellowship will run over nine months, combining virtual learning with in-person convenings across Africa. Fellows will engage in leadership development, mentorship, and collaborative learning aimed at advancing African-led solutions to complex challenges.

James’s participation is expected to further strengthen Ulalo’s contribution to regional learning, partnerships, and policy dialogue, particularly in areas of education systems, community resilience, and localisation.

Ulalo congratulates James on this achievement and looks forward to the insights, networks, and opportunities that will emerge from this experience in service of communities across Malawi and beyond.

About Ulalo

Ulalo is a Malawi-based organisation working to unlock human potential through integrated approaches across education, health ecosystems, thriving communities, and entrepreneurship. The organisation partners with government, communities, and development actors to build sustainable, locally led solutions that strengthen systems and improve lives.

About the Elevate Africa Fellowship

The Elevate Africa Fellowship is a pan-African leadership programme that brings together mid-career professionals working across sectors to drive transformative change on the continent. The fellowship supports leaders through structured learning, mentorship, and collaboration, with a focus on advancing African-led development and systems leadership.