The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), through its Youth in Digital Health Network (YiDHN), has officially launched the Youth Digital Health Champions (YDH-C) Program 2025. This initiative is designed to recognize, empower, and connect young leaders who are shaping Africa’s digital health future.
About the Program
YiDHN, a strategic platform under Africa CDC, is dedicated to strengthening youth participation in digital health innovation, policy, and advocacy. Its mission is to build the capacity of young professionals, provide opportunities for collaboration, and connect them with stakeholders and funding channels that can scale their impact.
The YDH-C Program highlights outstanding young leaders, positioning them as role models, advocates, and collaborators in transforming healthcare systems across Africa. Selected Champions will contribute to advancing universal health coverage through digital tools, research, policy development, and community-driven innovation.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Age: Between 18 and 35 years.
- Nationality: Citizens of African Union member states; Africans in the diaspora may also apply.
- Language: Proficiency in English, French, Arabic, or Portuguese (cross-lingual skills are an advantage).
- Engagement in Digital Health: Active involvement in one or more areas such as digital health innovation, research, public health programs, policy advocacy, or digital literacy initiatives.
Selection Process
Candidates will be evaluated based on:
- Leadership and Initiative (45%) – Demonstrated leadership in digital health, problem-solving, and resilience.
- Impact and Innovation (25%) – Track record of innovation and results in addressing healthcare challenges.
- Motivation and Growth (30%) – Commitment to driving digital health forward and engaging in future YiDHN activities.
Benefits of Becoming a Champion
Selected Youth Digital Health Champions will gain:
- Visibility and Recognition across the Africa CDC and YiDHN platforms.
- Access to High-Level Forums, including Africa CDC events and the Africa HealthTech Summit (#AHTS2025).
- Networking and Collaboration with peers and global digital health leaders.
- Capacity Building and Policy Engagement through training, workshops, and advocacy opportunities.
- Support for Startups and Scale-Up with mentorship, seed funding access, accelerator programs, and fellowships.
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Program Duration
- Engagement lasts 12 months (1 year).
Application Details
- Opening Date: August 29, 2025
- Deadline: September 14, 2025 (11:00 PM GMT+3)
- Announcement of Selected Candidates: September 20, 2025
Required Documents
- Completed online application form
- CV/resume (max 2 pages)
- One recommendation letter
- Optional: Links to projects, publications, or media
