African Leadership Academy (ALA) applications are open for the Class of 2027. A two-year diploma in South Africa for Africa’s brightest young leaders, 97% of students receive financial aid. Early Decision deadline: October 15, 2026.

What Is ALA?

The African Leadership Academy (ALA) in Johannesburg, South Africa, is one of the most distinctive educational institutions on the continent. It’s a two-year pre-university diploma programme that selects a small cohort of exceptional young Africans — not just academically gifted students, but young people with the courage, initiative, and ambition to change their communities and continent.

ALA has one goal: to develop the next generation of African leaders before they reach university — building character, intellectual depth, and cross-continental networks at the age when those things shape a lifetime.

Applications for the Class of 2027 are open now.

Early Decision deadline: October 15, 2026
Regular Decision deadline: January 15, 2027

Who ALA Is Looking For

ALA’s selection is holistic; no single factor, except age, will exclude a candidate. For the Class of 2027, applicants must have been born on or after September 1, 2007.

Beyond age, the academy evaluates four dimensions:

Intellectual Readiness, academic achievement with evidence of genuine curiosity, critical thinking, and self-driven learning beyond the classroom

Courage & Perseverance, initiative to attempt hard things, resilience through failure, self-direction without waiting to be told

Ownership, ambition with purpose, students who aspire to lives of significance and impact, not just personal success; a genuine passion for Africa’s advancement

Interdependence, the desire and ability to collaborate across differences, building meaningful relationships, seeking help when needed, practising humility and gratitude

ALA is not looking for perfect students. It’s looking for extraordinary people.

Financial Aid: 97% of Students Receive It

ALA’s total annual fee is $30,900, all-inclusive, covering tuition, accommodation, meals, and uniforms.

But 97% of admitted students receive financial assistance. Aid is determined after admission decisions, meaning you apply and are admitted on merit, then your financial package is determined based on family means. Students from more financially disadvantaged backgrounds receive more substantial awards. No admitted student is expected to be unable to attend due to cost.

Application Timeline

Applying Early Decision only guarantees earlier notification — not any admissions advantage.

Why This Matters

ALA’s alumni are already reshaping institutions across the continent — in government, startups, civil society, medicine, law, and international organisations. The two years at ALA aren’t just an education — they’re an entry into a lifelong network of the continent’s most driven young leaders.

For any exceptional young Nigerian or African person between roughly 15 and 18 with academic ambition and a greater sense of purpose, this is one of the most significant two years they could spend before university.

Quick Facts

For more information and application: 

Visit the official website of the African Leadership Academy Class of 2027