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About YALI

What is YALI?

In 2010, the White House and the Department of State hosted the President’s Forum for Young African Leaders, which brought 115 young leaders from 46 sub-Saharan African nations to Washington, D.C.  President Obama hosted a town hall for participants in the Presidential Young African Leaders Forum at the White House.  In June 2011, the First Lady’s Young African Women Leaders Forum in South Africa brought together 76 young African women leaders to discuss themes of leadership, women’s empowerment, and community service.  In 2012, the Innovation Summit and Mentoring Partnership included 62 participants representing over 35 sub-Saharan African countries for three weeks of professional exchange and entrepreneurial internships in U.S. cities.  The 2012 Innovation Summit coincided with the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum.