The CivicHive Civic Tech Fellowship – West Africa 2026 is a 20-week intensive fellowship and bootcamp designed to support early-stage civic innovators who are building tech-enabled solutions to real social challenges across West Africa.
This fellowship equips participants with the skills, mentorship, funding support, and ecosystem access needed to turn impactful ideas into scalable civic tech products that strengthen governance, accountability, inclusion, and public service delivery.
About the Fellowship
The CivicHive Civic Tech Fellowship focuses on empowering innovators working at the intersection of technology, civic engagement, and social impact. Fellows will receive hands-on training, practical project support, and exposure to a regional network of civic tech leaders and partners.
The programme is structured as a bootcamp-style learning experience, combining virtual sessions, mentorship, collaborative work, and real-world problem-solving.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows will receive:
- Stipend support to enable active participation throughout the programme
- Capacity-building training in civic technology, product design, policy innovation, and social impact
- One-on-one mentorship from experienced civic tech practitioners and industry experts
- Hands-on project development, allowing fellows to refine and pilot their civic tech solutions
- Access to a regional civic tech network across West Africa
- Visibility and exposure to potential funders, partners, and ecosystem stakeholders
- Certificate of completion upon successful participation
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Who Is Eligible?
The fellowship is open to applicants who meet the following criteria:
- Residents or citizens of West African countries
- Early-stage founders, developers, designers, activists, or policy innovators
- Individuals or teams with tech-enabled ideas or prototypes addressing social, civic, or governance challenges
- Solutions may focus on areas such as:
- Civic engagement and participation
- Transparency and accountability
- Public service delivery
- Community development
- Inclusion and social justice
- Ability to commit fully to the 20-week programme
- Strong interest in using technology for social good and civic impact
Both technical and non-technical innovators are encouraged to apply.
Programme Duration
- 20 weeks
- Primarily virtual, with collaborative and mentorship-driven sessions
How to Apply
Interested applicants should complete the official application form using the link below:
Apply here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxmrdbgHzFvON_3EbgY4RTjrZUvHrUTFJ76jOzYkg__2BXAA/viewform
Application Tips:
- Clearly explain the social problem your idea addresses
- Highlight how technology plays a role in your solution
- Demonstrate impact potential and scalability
- Be honest about your current stage (idea, prototype, early launch)
Why You Should Apply
If you are passionate about driving social change through technology and want structured support to turn your idea into a viable civic tech solution, the CivicHive Civic Tech Fellowship offers the tools, guidance, and resources to help you succeed.
This is more than a fellowship — it’s an opportunity to build solutions that matter and become part of a growing civic tech movement in West Africa.