Catch them young. Leaders of today, not tomorrow.
Experience changes people. Connection changes what is possible.
#ACiMentoring connects emerging Africans with experienced mentors who can help them navigate career, leadership, business and life decisions—with structured human guidance, AI/SI-supported preparation and a Pan-African network behind them.
Talent is everywhere. Doors are not.
Ask anyone who got where they are and they will name a person. Somebody who said try this. Somebody who made the call. Somebody who told them the truth when it was uncomfortable.
A lot of capable young Africans, women and girls are not short of ability. They are short of that one person, and they lose years finding out what a mentor could have told them in an hour.
African ChangeMakers Mentorship closes that gap on purpose, at every level of life and from every background.
More Than Advice. A Relationship That Changes Trajectories.
#ACiMentoring is a structured three-months program that connects ambitious young Africans with experienced professionals who have navigated the challenges that lie ahead of them.
This is not a one-off conversation or a keynote you attend and forget. It is a trusted relationship with someone invested in your long-term growth — your career, your leadership, your life direction.
BWB Coaching
Short-term, skills-focused, outcome-specific. For business owners and executives achieving targeted results quickly.
ACi Mentoring
Long-term relationship, career and life direction, leadership development. For emerging leaders finding their path.
Career Direction
Navigate your career path with guidance from someone who has already made the decisions you are facing — and can help you avoid the costly mistakes.
Leadership Development
Build the confidence, presence, and decision-making ability that separates emerging talent from established leaders.
African Perspective
Mentors and mentees who understand the African context — the opportunities, the challenges, and the unique dynamics of building a career on the continent.
Learning Platform Access
All accepted mentees receive access to Learn by BwB — the digital learning platform where program resources, course content, and your cohort community live.
Three mentorship tracks
We do not believe in one-size-fits-all. Pick the track that matches where you are. Three tracks. One mission — to raise a generation of Africans who lead with purpose, clarity, and impact. We acknowledge the various specific needs of young minds in building a better tomorrow.
Young Professionals
For emerging leaders. Sharpen your mindset, widen your view and start leading now.WOMENtoring
For Women Only. African Women Growing Through Mentorship. Growth for Life.
Fellowship mentorship
For Fellows Only. Built into the ACi Fellowship programs, with reviews timed to your Challenge.
Different Ways to meet your mentor
Mentoring Relationship Types: 1:1 Mentorship, Peer Mentorship, Group Mentorship, Mentor Circles, Reverse Mentorship, Flash Mentoring, Face-to-Face Mentoring.
Online
Mentoring across countries and time zones.
Hybrid
Combining online and in-person mentoring together.
Face to face
In-person mentoring events in your community.
How the Program Works
A structured three-months journey with a clear beginning, a defined process, and a meaningful outcome.
Apply During the Intake Window
Applications open once per year — Watch out. Both mentees and mentor volunteers apply during this window. Late applications are not accepted.
The ACi Review Team Assesses All Applications
Every application is assessed carefully by the ACi review team. Mentors are approved before any matching takes place. Mentees are shortlisted based on clarity of goals, commitment, and fit with the program.
Matching & Onboarding
Accepted mentees are matched with an approved mentor in the same track. Both receive access to Learn by BwB — the platform where the program is delivered.
Program Runs September to November
Three months of structured sessions, goal reviews, and community engagement on BWB Learn. Minimum one session per month. Frequency is agreed between mentor and mentee.
Completion & Certificate
Mentees who complete the program receive an ACi Mentoring Certificate of Completion and join the ACi Mentorship Alumni community — a network of African changemakers across 54 countries.
📅 Annual Cohort Details
Applications Open
June - July
Decisions Announced
By August
Program Begins
September
Program Closes
November
Cost to Mentees
Completely free. Mentors volunteer their time.
Who Can Apply
Any young African or African-diaspora person who meets the track age requirements of 18+.
Delivered on Learn by BwB. All accepted mentees receive access to learn.businesswithoutboundaries.org — the platform where program resources, course content, and your mentor-mentee community all live in one place.
Apply as a mentee
Applications are reviewed by the ACi team. If shortlisted, you will be matched with an approved mentor and given access to Learn by BwB. Mentoring is free to all accepted mentees.
Programs with a history
Since 2017, ACi has created mentoring opportunities for young Africans through initiatives including #WOMENtoringGirls and #MENtoringBoys. As our work evolved, our digital mentorship model transitioned to adult programs designed for participants aged 18+.
#WOMENtoringGIRLS
Women mentoring girls in and out of school: life skills, public speaking, digital skills, financial education, self-esteem and career development. Marked each year around the International Day of the Girl Child.
#MENtoringBOYS
Men mentoring teen boys in leadership, life skills and responsibility
#MENtoringYOUTH
Experienced people mentoring young Africans in leadership, civic engagement and entrepreneurship.
Meet the Mentees
Extraordinary men and women from across Africa and beyond.
Someone Believed in You. Now You Can Do the Same.Somebody helped you. Pay it forward.
mentor (noun): a wise and trusted counsellor or teacher.
Your years of experience are worth more to someone than you think. #ACiMentors do not lecture for an hour. You challenge, you listen, you open a doors of opportunities.
African Changemakers Mentorship want to supercharge your experience, expertise, abilities and double your efforts to mentor others (youth, women and fellows) in your community, somebody, somewhere helped you and open doors of opportunity for you to get to where you are in life. Why not “PAY IT FORWARD” to others.What you get from us: matching you with the right mentee, metorship briefings before each meeting, and a team that handles scheduling and follow-up so your time goes to the conversation.
Mentors changing Lives.
Extraordinary men and women from across Africa and beyond.Extraordinary men and women from across Africa and beyond. Most are ACiFellows who chose to pay it forward.
Become a Volunteer Mentor
You do not need to be famous to change someone's life. You need experience, consistency, and the willingness to invest a few hours a month in someone who needs exactly what you already know.
Why Mentor with ACi?
Pan-African Impact
Your mentee could be in Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, Dakar, or Johannesburg. Your experience travels across borders.
Structured & Time-Bound
Three months, minimum one session per month. A clear commitment you can plan around — not an open-ended obligation.
ACi Mentor Recognition
Approved mentors receive an ACi Mentor certificate, a profile on the ACi Mentors Directory, and recognition in the ACi community.
Community of Peers
Join a network of professionals across Africa giving back through the ACi Mentoring program.
Fresh Perspective
Mentoring is not one-directional. Many mentors report learning as much from their mentees as they give.
Who Can Be a Mentor?
Minimum 3 years of professional experience in your field
Available for at least 2–4 hours per month for three months
Committed to virtual or in-person sessions as agreed with your mentee
Willing to be matched with a mentee in your chosen track(s)
African or African-diaspora professional, or deeply connected to the African context
Approved by the ACi review team before any matching takes place
The ACi review team personally assesses every mentor application.
This ensures quality, safety, and the right fit for each mentee cohort. Not every application will be accepted — and that is by design.Volunteer as a Mentor
Your experience is someone's road map. If accepted, you could change the entire trajectory of a young African's career. Every application is reviewed by the ACi team. Approved mentors are matched with mentees in their chosen track and onboarded to Learn by BwB before the program begins.
Mentorship FAQ
Questions.
Everything people ask before they apply, answered plainly. Search, or pick a topic.
What is African ChangeMakers Mentoring?
One-to-one guidance from an experienced professional who has walked the road you want to walk. You bring the goals. Your mentor brings experience, honest feedback and doors you may not have seen yet.
Who can be mentored?
Ambitious young Africans who are serious about growing, whether you are a student, a young professional or building something of your own. The exact age range for each track is on the application form.
Is mentoring online?
Yes. Sessions take place online, by video, phone or chat, so you can join from anywhere with a connection.
How long does it last?
Mentoring runs as a six-week program. Your mentor meets you in weeks 1, 3, 4 and 6, with real work for you to do in between.
Will I have unlimited access to my mentor?
No, and that is by design. Your mentor is a guide, not an on-call helpline. You get planned sessions with clear goals and actions to work on between them.
Does it cost anything?
Any cost or funding is confirmed before you accept a place, never after. Get all information from ACi official channels only.
How do I apply?
Complete the application form on this page. Tell us your goals, your biggest challenge and what you want from a mentor. You will receive a reference number by email.
How are mentors matched?
The ACi team makes every match by hand, looking at your goals, your field, the track you applied for and your availability. We would rather make a thoughtful match than a fast one.
What if my mentor is not the right fit?
Tell us early. We will listen, and where it makes sense we will look at a new match.
Who can become a mentor?
Experienced professionals, founders and leaders who want to give back to the next generation of African changemakers. You do not need a famous title. You need real experience, honesty and time. Apply on the mentor form on this page.
How are mentors checked?
Every mentor application is reviewed by the ACi team and we take references. Mentors who will work with anyone under 18 need safeguarding clearance before we match them.
Still have a question?
Ask us directly. A real person will reply.
Join the African ChangeMakers mentoring community
Somebody has what you need. Somebody is waiting for what you know.
Whether you are coming to grow or coming to give, there is a place for you in the African ChangeMakers mentoring community.
Mentorship
Six weeks, one to one, online. Grow with a mentor who has walked your road, or give your experience to a young changemaker.
Sponsor or partner
Fund a young African’s place on the program, or bring your organisation in as a partner and help build the next generation of leaders.
Donate
Every gift helps more young Africans reach a mentor who can change the direction of their life and their community.
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Join the conversation, meet the community and never miss an opportunity.