Next Generation Resource Governance Leaders Program

Application windows open and close per cohort. Current calls and deadlines are published under Events and News & blog posts.

The Next Generation Resource Governance Leaders Program is an internship that balances theory with real-world application. It equips participants with the multidisciplinary intellectual development, practical skills, and research abilities needed to think innovatively about complex governance challenges.

The programme aims to build a pipeline of young pan-African leaders and a sustainable path for good governance through training and nurturing in an enabling workplace, using a structured capacity development process. Training covers resource governance in Africa and beyond, transformational leadership, professional and career development, and digital communication and technology skills. Interns gain tools and skillsets to set and achieve realistic personal and professional goals, succeed in the world of work, and uphold ethical leadership.

ACEP periodically calls for new cohorts of the programme (for example, the 10th cohort on the public site).

Eligibility criteria

The applicant should be a young African residing in Africa, aged not exceeding 32 years, with a passion for ensuring the continent's energy and extractive resources contribute to sustainable and inclusive development. Among other qualifications, applicants typically have:

• Relevant academic qualifications, preferably in economics (including energy), engineering (petroleum/electrical), oil and gas management, public policy, law, political economy, development studies, development finance, project management, communications, statistics, mathematics, or related fields
• Good writing skills with clarity and logical flow
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative analytical tools (for example R, Stata, EViews, NVivo, Atlas.ti)
• Ability to multitask, prioritise, and meet deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills and team spirit
• Creativity and initiative in problem-solving
• A sense of ownership and responsibility for decisions and actions
• A strong sense of leadership

Related ACEP initiatives include the EICCG Fund.

Responsibilities of NextGen leaders

NextGen leaders deliver timely, quality, evidence-based policy analysis, training, and advocacy through collaboration, helping ACEP remain a thought leader in Africa's energy and extractive policy space. They typically:

• Contribute to research reports and policy briefs on Africa's energy and extractives sectors
• Support stakeholder engagement on ACEP outputs and positions
• Contribute to planning, implementation, and evaluation of annual programmes
• Support organisational development activities
• Support resource mobilisation, including grants and proposal writing
• Contribute to programme management, monitoring, and evaluation

What ACEP offers

ACEP provides support for growth and development, including:

• Training and professional development opportunities
• Coaching, mentorship, and peer support
• Room for creativity and innovation

The programme also includes a stipend and lunch for the duration of the internship, decent accommodation for international participants where applicable, and an approved return ticket from the participant's home country to Ghana when offered for a cohort.

Required application documents

Curriculum vitae (CV): present chronologically, most recent experience first.

Higher education degree certificates: copies of completed degrees (Bachelor's, Master's, or equivalent) only — not high school. For certificates not in English, include certified translations in the same PDF as each document.

Motivational statement: reasons for applying, goals, and fit with the programme — up to 500 words.

Reference letter: from a university lecturer, former employer, or other professional (not a family member).

Essay response: one written response to a provided essay question. See the locally archived application questions for cohort 10 and application questions for cohort 11.

Important: combine all required documents into one PDF where the application form requests a single upload; include national ID as instructed; ensure non-English documents have translations attached.

Application essay (when required)

• Answer only one of the published questions
• Maximum 500 words (excluding bibliography unless stated otherwise)
• Use of generative-AI tools is strongly discouraged; plagiarism without attribution is unacceptable
• Include your full name and question number at the top of the essay

Language of instruction

The working language is English. Applicants should have a working knowledge of English.

Selection process

All required documents factor into selection. Shortlisted candidates are usually invited for an interview.

How to apply

When applications are open, use the official application link published with the call (on Events or ACEP channels). Complete the form, answer all questions, and upload the combined PDF in the designated field. Confirm the deadline (time zone) in the live call — past cohorts have used a GMT closing time.

For updates and new cohorts, watch Events and News & blog posts.