Reported to Senate

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2236 Reported in Senate (RS)]

<DOC>

                                                       Calendar No. 324
119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2236

  To establish a comprehensive United States Government initiative to
 build the capacity of young leaders and entrepreneurs in Africa, and
                          for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 10, 2025

 Mr. Van Hollen (for himself and Mr. Rounds) introduced the following
  bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign
                               Relations

                           February 10, 2026

                Reported by Mr. Risch, with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

  To establish a comprehensive United States Government initiative to
 build the capacity of young leaders and entrepreneurs in Africa, and
                          for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    This Act may be cited as the ``Young African Leaders
Initiative Act of 2025'' or the ``YALI Act of 2025''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    It is the sense of Congress that--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the Young African Leaders Initiative, launched
        in 2010, is a signature effort to invest in the next generation
        of African leaders;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Africa is a continent of strategic importance
        and it is vital for the United States to support strong and
        enduring partnerships with the next generation of African
        leaders;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) the United States Government should prioritize
        investments to build the capacity of emerging young African
        leaders in sub-Saharan Africa, including through efforts that--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) enhance leadership skills;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) encourage entrepreneurship;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) strengthen public administration and
                the role of civil society;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) enhance peace and security in their
                respective countries of origin and across Africa;
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) connect young African leaders
                continentally and globally across the private, civic,
                and public sectors;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) youth in Africa have a positive impact on
        efforts to foster economic growth, improve public sector
        transparency and governance, and counter extremism, and should
        be an area of focus for United States outreach on the African
        continent; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) the Secretary of State should--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) increase the number of fellows from
                Africa participating in the Mandela Washington
                Fellowship above the estimated 700 fellows who
                participated during fiscal year 2024; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) identify additional ways to connect
                YALI alumni to United States public and private
                resources and institutions.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3. YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS INITIATIVE PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--There is established the Young African
Leaders Initiative (referred to in this section as ``YALI''), which
shall be carried out by the Secretary of State.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Purpose.--YALI shall seek to build the capacity of
young African leaders in sub-Saharan Africa in the areas of business,
civic engagement, or public administration, including through efforts
that--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) support young African leaders by offering
        professional development, training, and networking
        opportunities, particularly in the areas of leadership,
        innovation, civic engagement, elections, human rights,
        entrepreneurship, good governance, peace and security, and
        public administration; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) provide increased economic and technical
        assistance to young African leaders to promote economic growth,
        strengthen ties between United States and African businesses,
        build resilience to predatory lending practices, and improve
        capacity in key economic areas such as tendering, bidding, and

contract negotiations, budget management and oversight, anti-
        corruption, and establishment of clear policy and regulatory
        practices.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Fellowships.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--YALI shall support the
        participation in the United States in the Mandela Washington
        Fellowship for Young African Leaders of fellows from Africa
        who--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) are between 25 and 35 years of
                age;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) have demonstrated strong capabilities
                in entrepreneurship, innovation, public service, and
                leadership; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) have had a positive impact in their
                communities, organizations, or institutions.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Oversight.--The fellowships described in
        paragraph (1) shall be overseen by the Secretary of State
        through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural
        Affairs.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Eligibility.--The Secretary of State shall
        establish and publish--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) eligibility criteria for participation
                as a fellow under paragraph (1); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) criteria for determining which
                eligible applicants will be selected.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Reciprocal Exchanges.--Subject to the approval of the
Secretary of State, United States citizens may--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) engage in reciprocal exchanges in connection
        with alumni of the fellowship described in subsection (c);
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) collaborate on projects with such fellowship
        alumni.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Regional Leadership Centers and Networks.--The
Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development
shall establish--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) not fewer than 4 regional leadership centers
        in sub-Saharan Africa to offer in-person and online training
        throughout the year on business and entrepreneurship, civic
        leadership, and public management to young African leaders
        who--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) are between 18 and 35 years of
                age;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) have demonstrated strong capabilities
                in entrepreneurship, innovation, public service and
                leadership, and peace-building and conflict resolution;
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) have had a positive impact in their
                communities, organizations, or institutions;
                and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) an online network that provides information
        and courses on, and connections with leaders in, the private
        and public sectors of Africa.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Activities.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) United states-based activities.--The Secretary
        of State, in coordination with the heads of relevant Federal
        departments and agencies, shall oversee all United States-based
        activities carried out under YALI, including--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the participation of Mandela
                Washington Fellows in a 6-week Leadership Institute at
                a United States educational institution in business,
                civic engagement, or public management, including
                academic sessions, site visits, professional networking
                opportunities, leadership training, community service,
                and organized cultural activities; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the participation by Mandela
                Washington fellows in an annual Mandela Washington
                Fellowship Summit, to provide such Fellows the
                opportunity to meet with United States leaders from the
                private, public, and nonprofit sectors.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Africa-based activities.--The Secretary of
        State, in coordination with the Administrator for the United
        States Agency for International Development and the heads of
        other relevant Federal departments and agencies, should
        continue to support YALI activities in sub-Saharan Africa,
        including--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) continued leadership training and
                other professional development opportunities for
                Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders
                alumni upon their return to their home countries,
                including online courses, technical assistance, and
                access to funding;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) training for young African leaders at
                regional leadership centers established pursuant to
                subsection (e), and through online and in-person

courses offered by such centers; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) opportunities for networking and
                engagement with--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) alumni of the Mandela
                        Washington Fellowship for Young African
                        Leaders;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) alumni of programs at
                        regional leadership centers established
                        pursuant to subsection (e);</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) United States and like-
                        minded diplomatic missions, business leaders,
                        and others as appropriate; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) where practicable and
                        appropriate, other United States-funded
                        regional leadership programs, including the
                        Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative
                        (YSEALI), the Young Leaders of the Americas
                        Initiative (YLAI), the Young Pacific Leaders
                        (YPL), and the Young Transatlantic Innovation
                        Leaders Initiative (YTILI), and through
                        Department of State programs such as the
                        Community Engagement Exchange Program and other
                        initiatives.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Implementation.--The Secretary of State, in
        coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency
        for International Development and the heads of other relevant
        Federal departments and agencies, shall carry out this
        subsection by seeking to partner with the private sector--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) to pursue public-private
                partnerships;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) to leverage private sector
                expertise;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) to expand networking opportunities;
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) to identify funding opportunities and
                fellowship and employment opportunities for
                YALI.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (g) Implementation Plan.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development and the heads of other relevant Federal
departments and agencies, shall submit a plan to the appropriate
congressional committees for implementing YALI, including--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) a description of clearly defined program
        goals, targets, and planned outcomes for each year and for the
        duration of implementation of the program;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) a strategy to monitor and evaluate the program
        and progress made toward achieving such goals, targets, and
        planned outcomes; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) a strategy to ensure the program is promoting
        United States foreign policy goals in Africa, including
        ensuring that the program is clearly branded, paired with
        robust public diplomacy efforts, and incorporates diversity
        among participants as practicable, including countries and
        communities in Africa facing economic distress, civil conflict,
        marginalization, and other challenges.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (h) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the following 4
years, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator
of the United States Agency for International Development, shall submit
to the appropriate congressional committees, and publish in a publicly
accessible, internet-based form, a report that includes--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) a description of the progress made toward
        achieving the goals, targets, and planned outcomes described in
        subsection (g)(1), including an overview of the program
        implemented in the previous year and an estimated number of
        beneficiaries;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) an assessment of how YALI is contributing to
        and promoting United States-Africa relations, particularly in
        areas of increased private sector investment, trade promotion,
        support to civil society, improved public administration,
        promoting peace and security, and fostering entrepreneurship
        and youth empowerment;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) recommendations for improvements or changes to
        YALI and the implementation plan, if any, that would improve
        their effectiveness during subsequent years of YALI's
        implementation; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) for the first report submitted under this
        subsection, an assessment of the feasibility of expanding YALI

to Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (i) Defined Term.--In this section, the term ``appropriate
congressional committees'' means--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
        Senate;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the Committee on Appropriations of the
        Senate;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
        of Representatives; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House
        of Representatives.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (j) Sunset.--This section shall cease to have effect on
the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this
Act.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLES.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLES.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Young African Leaders Initiative Act
of 2026'' or the ``YALI Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the Young African Leaders Initiative, launched in 2010,
        is a signature effort to invest in the next generation of
        African leaders;
            (2) Africa is a continent of strategic importance and it is
        vital for the United States to support strong and enduring
        partnerships with the next generation of African leaders;
            (3) the United States Government should prioritize
        investments to build the capacity of emerging young African
        leaders in sub-Saharan Africa, including through efforts that--
                    (A) enhance leadership skills;
                    (B) encourage entrepreneurship;
                    (C) strengthen public administration and the role
                of civil society;
                    (D) enhance peace and security in their respective
                countries of origin and across Africa; and
                    (E) connect young African leaders continentally and
                globally across the private, civic, and public sectors;
                and
            (4) youth in Africa have a positive impact on efforts to
        foster economic growth, improve public sector transparency and
        governance, and counter extremism, and should be an area of
        focus for United States outreach on the African continent.

SEC. 3. YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS INITIATIVE.

SEC. 3. YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS INITIATIVE.

    (a) In General.--There is established the Young African Leaders
Initiative (referred to in this section as ``YALI''), which shall be
carried out by the Secretary of State.
    (b) Purpose.--YALI shall seek to build the capacity of young
African leaders in sub-Saharan Africa in the areas of business, civic
engagement, or public administration, including through efforts that--
            (1) support young African leaders by offering professional
        development, training, and networking opportunities,
        particularly in the areas of leadership, innovation, civic
        engagement, elections, internationally recognized human rights,
        entrepreneurship, good governance, peace and security, and
        public administration; and
            (2) provide increased economic and technical assistance to
        young African leaders to promote economic growth, strengthen
        ties between United States and African businesses, build
        resilience to predatory lending practices, and improve capacity
        in key economic areas such as tendering, bidding, and contract
        negotiations, budget management and oversight, anti-corruption,
        and establishment of clear policy and regulatory practices.
    (c) Fellowships.--
            (1) In general.--YALI shall support the participation in
        the United States in the Mandela Washington Fellowship for
        Young African Leaders of fellows from Africa who--
                    (A) are between 25 and 35 years of age;
                    (B) have demonstrated strong capabilities in
                entrepreneurship, innovation, public service, and
                leadership; and
                    (C) have had a positive impact in their
                communities, organizations, or institutions.
            (2) Oversight.--The fellowships described in paragraph (1)
        shall be overseen by the Secretary of State through the Bureau
        of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
            (3) Eligibility.--The Secretary of State shall establish
        and publish--
                    (A) eligibility criteria for participation as a
                fellow under paragraph (1); and
                    (B) criteria for determining which eligible
                applicants will be selected.
    (d) Reciprocal Exchanges.--Subject to the approval of the Secretary
of State, United States citizens may--
            (1) engage in reciprocal exchanges in connection with
        alumni of the fellowship described in subsection (c); and
            (2) collaborate on projects with such fellowship alumni.
    (e) Activities.--
            (1) United states-based activities.--The Secretary of
        State, in coordination with the heads of relevant Federal
        departments and agencies, shall oversee all United States-based
        activities carried out under YALI, including--
                    (A) the participation of Mandela Washington Fellows
                in a 6-week Leadership Institute at a United States
                educational institution in business, civic engagement,
                or public management, including academic sessions, site
                visits, professional networking opportunities,
                leadership training, community service, and organized
                cultural activities; and
                    (B) the participation by Mandela Washington fellows
                in an annual Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit, to
                provide such Fellows the opportunity to meet with
                United States leaders from the private, public, and
                nonprofit sectors.
            (2) Implementation.--The Secretary of State, in
        coordination with the heads of other relevant Federal
        departments and agencies, shall carry out this subsection by
        seeking to partner with the private sector--
                    (A) to pursue public-private partnerships;
                    (B) to leverage private sector expertise;
                    (C) to expand networking opportunities; and
                    (D) to identify funding opportunities and
                fellowship and employment opportunities for YALI.
    (f) Implementation Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with
the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, shall
submit a plan to the appropriate congressional committees for
implementing YALI, including--
            (1) a description of clearly defined program goals,
        targets, and planned outcomes for each year and for the
        duration of implementation of the program;
            (2) a strategy to monitor and evaluate the program and
        progress made toward achieving such goals, targets, and planned
        outcomes; and
            (3) a strategy to ensure the program is promoting United
        States foreign policy goals in Africa, including ensuring that

the program is clearly branded, paired with robust public
        diplomacy efforts, and incorporates participants from a variety
        of countries, including communities in Africa facing economic
        distress, civil conflict, persecution, and other challenges.
    (g) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment
of this Act, and annually thereafter for the following 4 years, the
Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees, and publish in a publicly accessible, internet-based form,
a report that includes--
            (1) a description of the progress made toward achieving the
        goals, targets, and planned outcomes referred to in subsection
        (f)(1), including an overview of the program implemented in the
        previous year and an estimated number of beneficiaries;
            (2) an assessment of how YALI is contributing to and
        promoting United States-Africa relations, particularly in areas
        of increased private sector investment, trade promotion,
        support to civil society, improved public administration,
        promoting peace and security, and fostering entrepreneurship
        and youth empowerment; and
            (3) recommendations for improvements or changes to YALI and
        the implementation plan, if any, that would improve their
        effectiveness during subsequent years of YALI's implementation;
        and
    (h) Defined Term.--In this section, the term ``appropriate
congressional committees'' means--
            (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
            (2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
            (3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
        Representatives; and
            (4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
        Representatives.
    (i) Sunset.--This section shall cease to have effect on the date
that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
                                                       Calendar No. 324

119th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 2236

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

  To establish a comprehensive United States Government initiative to
 build the capacity of young leaders and entrepreneurs in Africa, and
                          for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                           February 10, 2026

                       Reported with an amendment