The Africa Center Announces 2026 Global Africa Gateway Summer Internship Cohort

May 26, 2026

(New York, NY - May 26, 2026) — The Africa Center, a nonprofit institution committed to the principle that a just and peaceful world begins with a flourishing Africa in deep communion with its Diaspora, today announced the 2026 cohort of the Global Africa Gateway Summer Internship Program.

The Global Africa Gateway has selected nine currently-enrolled or recently graduated students in the Diaspora who demonstrate a strong interest in establishing professional ties to the African continent. During the 8-12 week program, the interns will acquire professional development skills in the fields of finance, construction, commodities, law, and NGOs. Selected interns also receive a USD$10,000 stipend to cover the costs of travel, lodging, and other expenses.

The 2026 cohort includes:

  • Samai Bellen Wilson, placed with the International Organization for Migration (Cairo, Egypt), the leading intergovernmental organization committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society.
  • Malachi M. Benjamin, placed with ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (Libreville, Gabon), a company that identifies industrial gaps in African countries that unlock value and create new industries.
  • Naomi Campbell, placed with the International Organization for Migration (Cairo, Egypt).
  • Bethlehem Daniel, placed with Mota-Engil (Kampala, Uganda), an international group with a long history operating in the sectors of civil construction, public works, port operations, waste, water, and logistics.
  • Victoria Harwell, placed with ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (Abidjan, Cote D'ivoire).
  • Kamau Haymon, placed with Orascom Construction PLC (Cairo, Egypt), a leading global engineering and construction contractor primarily focused on infrastructure, industrial, and high-end commercial projects in the Middle East, Africa, and the United States.
  • Adore Kashmir Knight, placed with ETG (Lilongwe, Malawi), a global, multisectoral player with a diverse portfolio of expertise across multiple industries, encompassing Agricultural inputs, logistics, merchandising and processing, supply chain optimization, digital transformation, and energy.
  • Glory Nwaugbala, placed with Afreximbank (Cairo, Egypt), a global financial institution committed to transforming Africa’s trade.
  • Alfred Brandon Woodward, placed with Afreximbank (Cairo, Egypt).

The Global Africa Gateway is The Africa Center’s flagship partnership with African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank), convening institutions and stakeholders to strengthen pathways for U.S.–Africa trade, investment, and professional engagement. An essential part of the Gateway’s initiative, the Summer Internship Program, which launched in summer 2025, connects highly skilled graduate-level African Diaspora talent with African multilateral institutions, supporting capacity building and knowledge exchange across the continent.

Applications were reviewed by a selection committee which included The Africa Center, Afreximbank, and host organization partners.

“With half of all new global workforce entrants by 2030 slated to be from the African continent, the Global Africa Gateway sees this Diaspora Internship Program as a critical platform to connect top talents from the Diaspora with sectors and markets critical to both Africa’s growth and the globe’s sustainability,” stated Vance Whitfield, Director, Global Africa Gateway and Diaspora Strategy.

About the Global Africa Gateway
The Global Africa Gateway is a key initiative of The Africa Center, developed in partnership with Afreximbank, designed to advance resilient cultural and economic connections between Africa and its global Diaspora. The Gateway serves as a platform to convene stakeholders, foster collaboration, and create actionable pathways for Diaspora engagement in Africa’s growth. Current programs include the Diaspora Research Study and the Diaspora Internship Program. The Gateway aims to support the Global Africa goals by serving as an innovation studio that designs and pilots novel programs and solutions.

About The Africa Center
The Africa Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit institution committed to the principle that a just and peaceful world begins with a flourishing Africa in deep communion with its Diaspora. Located in New York City, The Africa Center convenes artists, creatives, cultural leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to shape artistic expression, narratives, investments, and partnerships critical to the prosperous and secure future of Africa and its Diaspora.

###

Media Contact:
Camille Wanliss
Communications & Media Relations Manager
cwanliss@theafricacenter.org