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119-hr-4332119th CongressWALLET

YALI Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]

In Committee

Summary

**This bill would establish and fund a U.S. initiative to *build leadership and entrepreneurship capacity for young African leaders*.** It would expand the Mandela Washington Fellowship, require regional training centers and online networks, and set reporting and a five-year authorization window.

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  • Young Africans: People ages 18-35 would gain in-person and online leadership training, professional development, and networking. Fellows aged 25-35 would be eligible for a six-week U.S. Leadership Institute and follow-up support.
  • U.S. partners and alumni: The State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development would oversee the program and enable reciprocal exchanges that let U.S. citizens collaborate with alumni on joint projects.
  • Governments and businesses: The program would push public-private partnerships to connect alumni with funding and U.S. businesses, strengthen skills in bidding, budgeting, and anti-corruption, and aim to deepen U.S.–Africa ties and deter predatory lending.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

U.S. citizen exchanges with alumni

If enacted, this would allow U.S. citizens to participate in reciprocal exchanges tied to Mandela Fellowship alumni, subject to approval by the Secretary of State. Approved participants could work with alumni on joint projects and collaborations. These exchange authorities would end five years after enactment.

Creates Young African Leaders Initiative

If enacted, this bill would create the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) run by the State Department. YALI would train young people in sub-Saharan Africa in business, civic work, and public administration. It would provide training, networking, and technical help in areas like bidding, budget oversight, anti-corruption, and policy practices. The program authority would end five years after enactment.

Mandela Fellowship U.S. exchanges

If enacted, this would direct YALI to support African fellows aged 25–35 to come to the United States for the Mandela Washington Fellowship. Fellows would attend a 6-week Leadership Institute at a U.S. college with classes, site visits, networking, community service, and an annual summit. The Secretary of State would publish eligibility and selection rules. These authorities would end five years after enactment.

New regional leadership centers in Africa

If enacted, this would require USAID to establish at least four regional leadership centers in sub-Saharan Africa. The centers would offer year-round in-person and online training for people aged 18–35 in entrepreneurship, civic leadership, public management, and peace-building. The bill would also require an online network with courses and connections to public and private sector leaders. These authorities would end five years after enactment.

More training and funding access for alumni

If enacted, this would fund continued support for Mandela Fellowship alumni in Africa after they return home. Support would include online courses, technical assistance, and access to funding, and would be offered at regional centers and online. The program would also expand networking with U.S. and other diplomatic missions and business leaders. These authorities would end five years after enactment.

YALI program ends after five years

If enacted, this would terminate the YALI program authorities five years after enactment. On that date, centers, fellowships, reporting rules, and other program authorities in the section would stop. This would reduce future support for program participants and related collaborations.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7]

    AL • D

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]

    TN • D

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]

    WI • D

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 7/15/2025

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 7/15/2025

  • Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 7/25/2025

  • Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 10/3/2025

  • Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/12/2026

  • Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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