Bringing together the Powerful Voices of Africa’s Rising Female Journalists
The Borderless Africa Feminist Writing Fellowship 2026, a capacity-building programme for emerging and established feminist writers, journalists, researchers, poets, storytellers, and activists across Africa was launched earlier in July this year.
Although official applications for the Borderless Africa Feminist Writing Fellowship 2026 are officially closed, with the 15 selected fellows having gathered very recently in Dakar, Senegal the relevance of this movement can not be over emphasized.
In their press release it read:
“A new chapter in the Borderless Africa journey begins.
We are excited to introduce the 15 Feminist Writing Fellows joining the Borderless Africa Campaign.
Selected from more than 2,000 applications, this remarkable cohort brings together diverse and powerful voices from Egypt, Kenya, Zambia, Cameroon, Sudan, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Ethiopia, Uganda, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Libya, Tunisia, and The Gambia.
Over the coming days, these writers will come together to exchange ideas, deepen their practice, and explore how storytelling can help shape narratives of sovereignty, knowledge justice, and feminist futures.
At the heart of this fellowship is a shared vision: an Africa where African voices, knowledge, movement, and futures are not constrained by inherited borders.
We invite you to follow the journey.”
The Program’s Goal is to build capacity for African feminist writers, journalists, and activists to advance narrative sovereignty and knowledge justice.
Organized by ‘Africans Rising’ in partnership with ‘Borderless Africa’ and ‘Feminist Futures’ this is the first of its kind that advances a merging of mentorship, collaboration, thought-sharing and fearless objective writing among upcoming and established African female writers with the objective of telling African stories right.
Applications for the fellowship closed on July 20 with an in-person retreat for the New Fellows that took place in Dakar, Senegal, from August 26–28.
Some Benefits of this fellowship include:
Retreat & Sessions: A multi-day in-person gathering featuring expert-led learning on Pan-Africanism and feminist storytelling.
Mentorship: One-on-one guidance from feminist scholars, editors, and Pan-African practitioners.
Publication: Editorial support to develop publication-ready pieces distributed through Borderless Africa partner networks
About the Borderless Africa Feminist Writing Fellowship 2026
The Borderless Africa Feminist Writing Fellowship 2026 is a capacity-building programme for emerging and established feminist writers, journalists, researchers, poets, storytellers, and activists across Africa. The fellowship strengthens feminist storytelling, narrative sovereignty, and knowledge justice while supporting publication, mentorship, and learning opportunities focused on African integration, migration, identity, and social change.
The focus of the Fellowship is to amplify feminist voices across Africa by creating opportunities for writers, researchers, creatives, and advocates to explore issues related to borders, migration, identity, citizenship, and African integration through powerful storytelling.
Under the theme, “Narrative Sovereignty, Knowledge Justice, and Feminist Futures in a Borderless Africa,” the fellowship encourages participants to examine who creates knowledge, whose voices are heard, and how feminist narratives can contribute to a more connected, inclusive, and equitable Africa.
The programme combines intensive learning, mentorship, collaborative discussions, and editorial support to help fellows produce high-quality, publication-ready work.
Focus Areas for the Fellowship support writing and research related to:
- Narrative sovereignty
- Feminist storytelling
- Knowledge justice
- Pan-Africanism
- Free movement across Africa
- Writing for advocacy and social change
- Feminist knowledge production
- Mobility and citizenship
- Cross-border identities
- Women and migration
- Border communities
- Language, culture, and identity
- Digital storytelling
- Narrative change
- Feminist futures
- Speculative writing
What the Fellowship Offers?
Selected fellows are expected to receive:
- Participation in a two-day in-person writing retreat.
- Expert-led learning sessions.
- Mentorship from feminist scholars, editors, writers, and Pan-African practitioners.
- Editorial support to develop publication-ready articles and creative works.
- Opportunities to publish selected work through Borderless Africa platforms and partner networks.
- Access to a growing network of feminist writers, researchers, storytellers, and advocates across Africa.
The fellowship includes sessions on:
- Narrative sovereignty
- Feminist storytelling techniques
- Knowledge justice
- Pan-Africanism
- Free movement in Africa
- Writing for advocacy
- Social justice communication
- Digital storytelling
- Narrative change strategies
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should:
- Demonstrate an interest in feminism and social justice.
- Show commitment to African unity, Pan-Africanism, mobility, or citizenship issues.
- Have a passion for storytelling, writing, research, or advocacy.
- Be willing to participate fully in the in-person retreat and online learning sessions.
How the Fellowship Works
The fellowship follows a structured learning journey:
- Submit an online application.
- Applications are reviewed based on eligibility and interest.
- Selected fellows join the writing retreat.
- Fellows participate in expert-led workshops.
- Participants receive one-on-one mentorship.
- Fellows develop publication-ready writing.
- Selected works are published through Borderless Africa and partner platforms.
- Fellows become part of the Borderless Africa feminist network.
For further details on the Borderless Africa Feminist Writing Fellowship 2026, you can visit www.africansrising.org
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