West African changemakers, this one was made for you. Applications are open for the One Young World Leading Scholarship 2026, the flagship scholarship that brings outstanding young leaders to the One Young World Summit in Cape Town, South Africa, from 3 to 6 November 2026.
What is the One Young World Summit?
The One Young World Summit is one of the world’s premier gatherings for young leaders, bringing together delegates from 196 countries alongside counsellors who include heads of state, chief executives and Nobel laureates. The Leading Scholarship exists to make sure talented young people from countries that are often under-represented at global forums can be in the room — and West Africans are exactly who it is looking for.
Who can apply?
You are eligible if you are between 18 and 35 years old at the time of the Summit, you have an evidenced commitment to delivering positive change, your work addresses key local or global issues, and you have a track record of generating impactful and innovative ideas. There is no specific degree requirement, and the scholarship is open to all nationalities, including citizens of Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Priority goes to first-time Summit attendees and applicants from under-represented countries. Applying is free.
What does the scholarship cover?
Every Leading Scholar receives full delegate access to the Summit in Cape Town and catering throughout the event — breakfast, lunch and dinner. Scholars also gain access to the Global Leadership Programme and Action Accelerator, plus lifelong membership of the One Young World Ambassador Community, a network of more than 20,000 leaders. Hotel accommodation and travel to and from Cape Town are decided on a case-by-case basis for each scholar, and if you need a South African visa, the visa fee is your own responsibility — so budget for that and apply early.
Deadline — act now
The final deadline is 31 October 2026, but selection is rolling: scholars are chosen and notified between June and October, so waiting until the last day means competing for whatever places remain. Submit your application as soon as you can, and lead with measurable impact — the problem you are solving, what you have done, and the results you can prove.
Apply through the official portal: https://apply.oneyoungworld.com/scholarship/form/leading-scholarship-2026
Need help with your application?
Isaac Explains helps young leaders across Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and beyond prepare strong scholarship applications — essays, documents, deadlines and submission support. Follow Isaac Explains for daily scholarship and immigration updates, and book a consultation on our Book Consultation page at https://www.isaacexplains.com — let’s get your Cape Town application submitted this week.
