African ChangeMakers Initiative · ACi Mentoring

Someone Believed in You.
Now You Can Do the Same.

ACi Mentoring connects emerging African leaders with established professionals who have walked the road ahead. Three tracks. One mission — to raise a generation of Africans who lead with purpose, clarity, and impact.

3
Mentoring Tracks
54
African Countries
3
Month Program
Free
To All Mentees

More Than Advice. A Relationship That Changes Trajectories.

ACi Mentoring is a structured three-month program that connects ambitious young Africans with experienced professionals who have navigated the challenges that lie ahead of them.

This is not a one-off conversation or a keynote you attend and forget. It is a trusted relationship with someone invested in your long-term growth — your career, your leadership, your life direction.

BWB Coaching

Short-term, skills-focused, outcome-specific. For business owners and executives achieving targeted results quickly.

ACi Mentoring

Long-term relationship, career and life direction, leadership development. For emerging leaders finding their path.

🎯

Career Direction

Navigate your career path with guidance from someone who has already made the decisions you are facing — and can help you avoid the costly mistakes.

👑

Leadership Development

Build the confidence, presence, and decision-making ability that separates emerging talent from established leaders.

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African Perspective

Mentors and mentees who understand the African context — the opportunities, the challenges, and the unique dynamics of building a career on the continent.

📚

Learning Platform Access

All accepted mentees receive access to BWB Learn — the digital learning platform where program resources, course content, and your cohort community live.

Three Tracks. One Generation Rising.

Each track is designed for a specific audience at a specific stage of their journey. Choose the one that speaks to where you are right now.

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#WOMENtoringGirls
Women Mentoring Girls
For girls & young women aged 15–25

WOMENtoring closes the gap between where young African women are today and where they have the potential to go. Experienced women invest their time, knowledge, and networks to help the next generation rise faster and with greater confidence.

Program Focus
  • Leadership identity and self-confidence
  • Financial independence and economic empowerment
  • Career navigation and professional development
  • Breaking cycles of limited ambition
  • Academic and entrepreneurial guidance
Apply for WOMENtoringGirls →
👨🏾‍🤝‍👦🏾
#MENtoringBoys
Men Mentoring Boys
For boys aged 14–22

MENtoringBoys places experienced men alongside young African boys at the most formative stage of their lives — secondary school through early university — to model what character, discipline, and purposeful ambition look like in practice.

Program Focus
  • Character and integrity development
  • Academic focus and career awareness
  • Emotional intelligence and resilience
  • Entrepreneurship and leadership mindset
  • Breaking the cycle of limited male role models
Apply for MENtoringBoys →
🌍
#YoungProfessionals
Young Professionals Track
For professionals aged 22–35 · ACi alumni welcome

For ACi alumni continuing their journey and any young African professional ready to accelerate their career or business. This track connects you with a senior mentor who has navigated the exact transitions you are facing — and can help you move through them faster.

Program Focus
  • Career transition and advancement strategy
  • Entrepreneurship and business growth
  • Executive presence and leadership transition
  • Cross-border African market navigation
  • Long-term legacy and impact planning
Apply for Young Professionals →

How the Program Works

A structured three-month journey with a clear beginning, a defined process, and a meaningful outcome.

1

Apply During the Intake Window

Applications open once per year — 1 March to 30 April. Both mentees and mentor volunteers apply during this window. Late applications are not accepted.

2

The ACi Review Team Assesses All Applications

Every application is assessed carefully by the ACi review team. Mentors are approved before any matching takes place. Mentees are shortlisted based on clarity of goals, commitment, and fit with the program.

3

Matching & Onboarding (June)

Accepted mentees are matched with an approved mentor in the same track. Both receive access to BWB Learn — the platform where the program is delivered.

4

Program Runs June to August

Three months of structured sessions, goal reviews, and community engagement on BWB Learn. Minimum one session per month. Frequency is agreed between mentor and mentee.

5

Completion & Certificate

Mentees who complete the program receive an ACi Mentoring Certificate of Completion and join the ACi Alumni community — a network of African changemakers across 54 countries.

📅 2026 Cohort Details

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Applications Open

1 March — 30 April 2026

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Decisions Announced

By 31 May 2026

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Program Begins

June 2026

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Program Closes

August 2026 · 3 months

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Cost to Mentees

Completely free. Mentors volunteer their time.

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Who Can Apply

Any young African or African-diaspora person who meets the track age requirements.

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Delivered on BWB Learn. All accepted mentees receive access to learn.businesswithoutboundaries.org — the platform where program resources, course content, and your mentor-mentee community all live in one place.

Become a Volunteer Mentor

You do not need to be famous to change someone's life. You need experience, consistency, and the willingness to invest a few hours a month in someone who needs exactly what you already know.

Why Mentor with ACi?

🌍

Pan-African Impact

Your mentee could be in Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, Dakar, or Johannesburg. Your experience travels across borders.

📚

Structured & Time-Bound

Three months, minimum one session per month. A clear commitment you can plan around — not an open-ended obligation.

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ACi Mentor Recognition

Approved mentors receive an ACi Mentor certificate, a profile on the ACi Mentors Directory, and recognition in the ACi community.

🤝

Community of Peers

Join a network of professionals across Africa giving back through the ACi Mentoring program.

💡

Fresh Perspective

Mentoring is not one-directional. Many mentors report learning as much from their mentees as they give.

Who Can Be a Mentor?

Minimum 3 years of professional experience in your field
Available for at least 2–4 hours per month for three months
Committed to virtual or in-person sessions as agreed with your mentee
Willing to be matched with a mentee in your chosen track(s)
African or African-diaspora professional, or deeply connected to the African context
Approved by the ACi review team before any matching takes place
The ACi review team personally assesses every mentor application. This ensures quality, safety, and the right fit for each mentee cohort. Not every application will be accepted — and that is by design.

Your Experience Is Someone's Road Map.

It takes less than 10 minutes to apply. If accepted, you could change the entire trajectory of a young African's career.

Apply to Be an ACi Mentor →

Apply as a Mentee

Applications are reviewed by the ACi team. If shortlisted, you will be matched with an approved mentor and given access to BWB Learn. This program is completely free to all accepted mentees.

Select Your Track
Your Details
Education & Career
About You & Your Goals
ACi Connection
I am an ACi Fellow or ACi Alumni.
I have been part of a mentoring program before.

🔒 Your information is confidential. You will receive a confirmation email with your application reference immediately after submitting.

Volunteer as an ACi Mentor

Every mentor application is carefully reviewed by the ACi team. Approved mentors are matched with mentees in their chosen track and onboarded to BWB Learn before the program begins.

Tracks You Want to Mentor In

Select all that apply. You can mentor in more than one track.

WOMENtoringGirls — Mentoring girls and young women aged 15–25
MENtoringBoys — Mentoring boys aged 14–22
Young Professionals — Mentoring professionals aged 22–35
Your Details
Professional Background
Mentoring Capacity
Your Motivation
Reference

Providing a reference strengthens your application. It will not be contacted without your permission.

🔒 Your application is reviewed personally by The ACi review team. You will receive a confirmation email immediately and a decision within 2 weeks.

Africa's Next Generation Is Waiting.

Whether you are coming to grow or coming to give — there is a place for you in the ACi Mentoring community.

Apply as a Mentee → Volunteer as a Mentor