Keypoints:
- Fellowship to launch in 2026 for African youth
- Training in AI, innovation, and leadership offered
- Partnerships sought with tech and policy institutions
DIGITAL Diplomacy Africa (DDA) has officially gone live on Facebook and Instagram, unveiling an ambitious mission to empower young Africans to lead conversations at the intersection of technology, innovation, and diplomacy.
The initiative is the brainchild of Ghanaian global affairs leader and media entrepreneur Ernestina Muulikaa. She said the organisation was designed to harness digital tools to build Africa’s influence in the 21st century. ‘Digital diplomacy is no longer a concept for the future—it is here, and Africa must be part of the conversation,’ Muulikaa told Africa Briefing.
Fellowship to equip future innovators
At the core of DDA’s plans is the DDA Fellowship, scheduled for May and June 2026. This flagship programme will target tech-inclined Africans, equipping them with practical skills in artificial intelligence, connectivity, and networking.
The six-week online training will blend technical learning with mentorship and leadership development. At the end of the programme, fellows will take part in a pitching competition where their projects will be assessed by experts and investors.
The winning projects will receive international exposure, seed funding, and access to experienced mentors. According to DDA, this support is aimed at ensuring that innovative African ideas are not only showcased but also scaled up to create real-world impact.
Muulikaa said the fellowship was intended to guarantee that ‘Africa’s voice is not just heard but amplified on the global stage’.
Partnerships to scale impact
To make its vision a reality, DDA is seeking partnerships with technology companies, development organisations, and policy institutions. The organisation said strategic collaborations will be critical to providing sustainable opportunities for African youth.
Sponsors and partners will be expected to contribute funding, expertise, and mentorship to support the fellowship and other initiatives. By joining forces, DDA and its collaborators hope to build a pipeline of young African leaders capable of shaping global debates on technology and diplomacy.
Digital diplomacy for a connected future
DDA’s launch reflects the growing importance of digital platforms in global affairs. With international negotiations increasingly shaped online—particularly around artificial intelligence (AI) and internet governance—digital diplomacy has become a core part of statecraft.
By positioning Africa’s youth at the forefront of these debates, DDA aims to close a gap in representation. The organisation said it will also work to highlight African success stories on the global stage, changing perceptions and strengthening the continent’s influence.
‘This is about more than skills. It is about ensuring Africa is shaping the future of technology and diplomacy rather than being shaped by it,’ the group noted in its launch announcement.
Looking to 2026 and beyond
In the immediate term, DDA will focus on building its online community and forming strategic alliances ahead of the fellowship’s debut in 2026. Through social media campaigns, interactive dialogues, and virtual events, it plans to engage youth across the continent and the diaspora.
By the time the first fellowship cohort begins, DDA expects to have created a pan-African network of innovators and leaders prepared to engage with global peers and institutions.
Muulikaa explained: ‘We are creating a generation of leaders who are digitally literate, globally minded, and ready to influence the technologies and policies that will define our future.’
The launch of Digital Diplomacy Africa signals not just the creation of a new organisation but the start of what its founder calls ‘a movement to amplify Africa’s digital voice in the corridors of power worldwide’.
