At FUNGAI Africa, we believe that how we govern technology reveals who we are as societies. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which includes identity systems, data platforms, and service portals reshaping state-citizen relations, is not neutral. It either deepens inequality or advances justice. This fellowship brings together a new generation of African researchers to audit DPI through a human rights and democratic lens.
🎯 Fellowship objectives
By the end of the programme, fellows will be able to:
- Analyze DPI governance using rights-based and social justice frameworks
- Investigate how DPI affects marginalised communities (women, refugees, rural populations, persons with disabilities)
- Apply digital security best practices in sensitive research environments
- Translate complex findings into policy, advocacy, and public-facing outputs
- Join a growing network of African digital rights and policy practitioners
📅 Fellowship Structure
- 👥 Fellows: 3 early-career researchers
- ⏳ Duration: June – August 2026 (3 months)
- 💻 Format: Remote | Part-time (15–20 hrs/week)
- 💰 Stipend: $300/month ($900 total)
- 🗓 Engagement: Bi-weekly virtual seminars
- 🌍 Focus Countries: Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, Zambia, Rwanda, Tanzania
🧠 Programme Curriculum (3 Months)
📘 Month 1: Foundations & Frameworks
- Understanding DPI and its role in democracy and AI systems
- Rights-based frameworks: legality, transparency, accountability
- Research methods: interviews, document analysis, ethics, digital security
- Comparative research design
📌 Output: Country research protocols + stakeholder maps
🔎 Month 2: Field Research & Documentation
- Conducting interviews and managing sensitive conversations
- Analysing policies, contracts, and legislation
- Data management: transcription, coding, secure storage
- Mid-point peer review and reflection
📌 Output: Field notes, transcripts, preliminary findings
✍🏽 Month 3: Analysis & Translation
- Turning data into structured analysis
- Writing for advocacy: policy briefs, toolkits, public outputs
- Peer review and refinement
- Cross-country comparison and synthesis
📌 Output: Final case study + policy outputs
📊 Fellow Outputs
Fellows will contribute to:
- 📘 A DPI Research Report (country case studies + synthesis)
- 🧰 A DPI Advocacy Toolkit
- 📄 Country Policy Briefs
- 📢 Press summaries & public messaging outputs
- ✍🏽 Published opinion pieces
This fellowship is about ensuring that Africa’s digital future is built on:
⚖️ Justice
🔐 Rights
🌍 Inclusion
📊 Accountability
🎯 Who Should Apply
We are looking for:
- Early-career researchers
- Digital rights advocates
- Policy thinkers
- Anyone passionate about technology, governance, and justice in AfricaApplications are now open for the DPI Governance in Africa Fellowship!
Applications are now open for the DPI Governance in Africa Fellowship!
👉 Submit your application by 5 April 2026.