About the Youth Digital Health Champions (Y-DHC) Program 2025
The Youth Digital Health Champions (Y-DHC) program seeks to identify, profile, and connect dynamic young leaders who are actively shaping the digital health landscape across Africa. Champions will serve as role models, advocates, and collaborators in advancing digital health innovation, policy, and practice. The initiative aims to build a visible and impactful network that can inform policies, strengthen local innovation ecosystems, and amplify youth leadership across the continent.
Requirements and Eligibility
To qualify for the Youth Digital Health Champions Program 2025, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of application.
- Must be a citizen of an African Union member state. Africans in the diaspora can also apply.
- Proficiency in at least one of these languages – English, French, Arabic, Portuguese (with ability to participate in cross-lingual platforms preferred).
Must be actively involved in digital health through one or more of the following:
Innovation (e.g., startup founder, technology developer)
Research and Academia
Public health programs utilizing digital tools
Policy development or advocacy
Capacity building or digital literacy initiatives
Selection Criteria and Process
The selection process for the Youth Digital Health Champions Program 2025 is competitive. Applicants are evaluated based on the following:
1- Leadership and Initiative (45%): We are looking for young people who have demonstrated leadership in a digital health initiative, organization, or advocacy. Evidence of personal initiative, problem-solving, and resilience is preferred. Individuals whose work contributions to at least one of YiDHN’s focus areas are encouraged to apply:
- Capacity building and digital literacy
- Youth engagement in governance and regulation
- Scaling innovations and accessing funding
- Stakeholder and network mobilization
2- Impact and Innovation (25%): Individuals with proven track record of delivering tangible results or innovations in digital health and using creative or locally-relevant digital tools to address healthcare challenges are encouraged to apply. Early initiatives and innovations are encouraged to demonstrate potential impact if implemented successfully.
3- Motivation and Potential for Growth and Influence (30%): Individuals are encouraged to demonstrate their motivation to engage on issues of digital health. We are looking for individuals with willingness and capacity to engage in future YiDHN activities including webinars, policy dialogues, and capacity-building initiatives.
Also Read: Lafiya Incubation Program (LIP) 2025 for Nigerians | Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply
Benefits of Becoming a Youth Digital Health Champion
Selected champions gain multiple advantages, including:
- Visibility and Recognition: Featured profiles and stories shared across Africa CDC and YiDHN channels, raising the visibility of each Champion’s work at national, regional, and continental levels.
- Access to High-Level Convenings: Opportunities to participate in YiDHN-branded webinars, policy dialogues, and Africa CDC forums to share insights, influence agendas, and build credibility. Some Youth Champions will be selected to participate in the Africa HealthTech Summit – #AHTS2025
Peer Networking and Collaboration:Â Connection to a vibrant, cross-continental community of like-minded digital health innovators and advocates for shared learning and joint initiatives. - Capacity Building and Policy Engagement:Â Priority invitations to training sessions, workshops, and policy engagements designed to enhance leadership, technical, and advocacy skills.
- Support for scaleup and expansion:Â The initiative will pursue strategic partnerships and sponsorships aimed at unlocking additional opportunities. This will include access to seed funding and support for youth-led digital health startups, mentorship and coaching from industry leaders, participation in Continental and international innovation challenges, fellowships, and accelerator programs.
Duration of the engagement
12 months
Required Submission Materials
- Completed application form by Sep 14, 2025, 11:00 PM GMT+3.
- CV/resume (max 2 pages)
- One letter of recommendation
- Optional: Links to projects, publications, or media
Important Dates
- Opening:Â August 29, 2025
- Deadline: September 14, 2025 at 11:00 PM GMT+3.
- Announcement of selected candidates:Â September 20, 2025
