S 2236
· 119th Congress
· International Affairs
YALI Act of 2026
Sponsor
Latest action
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 324.
Action timeline
Every recorded action on this bill, newest first. Stage badges color-code the legislative path.
Feb 10, 2026
committee
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Foreign Relations Committee
Feb 10, 2026
other
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 324.
Jan 29, 2026
committee
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Foreign Relations Committee
Jul 10, 2025
introduced
Introduced in Senate
Jul 10, 2025
introduced
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Foreign Relations Committee
Text versions
Each stage of the bill — official text published by GPO. Click any format to read on congress.gov / govinfo.
Changelog
ⓘ
How a bill moves through Congress. Each stage produces a new official text. The diff between them shows what changed at that step.
ih / is — Introduced in House / Senate. First filed version.rfh / rfs — Referred to a committee for review.rh / rs — Reported back by the committee to the floor (often with amendments — this is where most language changes happen).pcs / pch — Placed on Calendar for floor consideration.eh / es — Engrossed. Passed by the originating chamber. Text is now what was actually voted on.rdh / rds — Received by the other chamber.eah / eas — Engrossed Amendment. The other chamber passed an amended version.ath / ats — Agreed to. Both chambers settled on the same text.enr — Enrolled. Final reconciled text, sent to the President.pl — Public Law. Signed by the President. It's now law.pp — Public Print. Official printing post-enactment.
Most bills die before eh/es. Going from pcs → enr is the full path through both chambers.
ⓘ
How a bill moves through Congress. Each stage produces a new official text. The diff between them shows what changed at that step.
ih/is— Introduced in House / Senate. First filed version.rfh/rfs— Referred to a committee for review.rh/rs— Reported back by the committee to the floor (often with amendments — this is where most language changes happen).pcs/pch— Placed on Calendar for floor consideration.eh/es— Engrossed. Passed by the originating chamber. Text is now what was actually voted on.rdh/rds— Received by the other chamber.eah/eas— Engrossed Amendment. The other chamber passed an amended version.ath/ats— Agreed to. Both chambers settled on the same text.enr— Enrolled. Final reconciled text, sent to the President.pl— Public Law. Signed by the President. It's now law.pp— Public Print. Official printing post-enactment.
Most bills die before eh/es. Going from pcs → enr is the full path through both chambers.
Line-level diff between text versions of this bill — what actually changed at each legislative stage.
+301
−98
78 unchanged
--- Introduced (Senate)
+++ Reported (Senate)
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
-[S. 2236 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
+[S. 2236 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
+Calendar No. 324
119th CONGRESS
-1st Session
+2d Session
S. 2236
To establish a comprehensive United States Government initiative to
@@ -21,6 +22,12 @@
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations
+February 10, 2026
+
+Reported by Mr. Risch, with an amendment
+[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
+in italic]
+
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
@@ -32,10 +39,252 @@
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
+<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLES.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``Young African Leaders
+Initiative Act of 2025'' or the ``YALI Act of 2025''.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> It is the sense of Congress that--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) the Young African Leaders Initiative, launched
+in 2010, is a signature effort to invest in the next generation
+of African leaders;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Africa is a continent of strategic importance
+and it is vital for the United States to support strong and
+enduring partnerships with the next generation of African
+leaders;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) the United States Government should prioritize
+investments to build the capacity of emerging young African
+leaders in sub-Saharan Africa, including through efforts that--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) enhance leadership skills;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) encourage entrepreneurship;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) strengthen public administration and
+the role of civil society;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) enhance peace and security in their
+respective countries of origin and across Africa;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) connect young African leaders
+continentally and globally across the private, civic,
+and public sectors;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) youth in Africa have a positive impact on
+efforts to foster economic growth, improve public sector
+transparency and governance, and counter extremism, and should
+be an area of focus for United States outreach on the African
+continent; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) the Secretary of State should--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) increase the number of fellows from
+Africa participating in the Mandela Washington
+Fellowship above the estimated 700 fellows who
+participated during fiscal year 2024; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) identify additional ways to connect
+YALI alumni to United States public and private
+resources and institutions.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 3. YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS INITIATIVE PROGRAM.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) In General.--There is established the Young African
+Leaders Initiative (referred to in this section as ``YALI''), which
+shall be carried out by the Secretary of State.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Purpose.--YALI shall seek to build the capacity of
+young African leaders in sub-Saharan Africa in the areas of business,
+civic engagement, or public administration, including through efforts
+that--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) support young African leaders by offering
+professional development, training, and networking
+opportunities, particularly in the areas of leadership,
+innovation, civic engagement, elections, human rights,
+entrepreneurship, good governance, peace and security, and
+public administration; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) provide increased economic and technical
+assistance to young African leaders to promote economic growth,
+strengthen ties between United States and African businesses,
+build resilience to predatory lending practices, and improve
+capacity in key economic areas such as tendering, bidding, and
+contract negotiations, budget management and oversight, anti-
+corruption, and establishment of clear policy and regulatory
+practices.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Fellowships.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) In general.--YALI shall support the
+participation in the United States in the Mandela Washington
+Fellowship for Young African Leaders of fellows from Africa
+who--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) are between 25 and 35 years of
+age;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) have demonstrated strong capabilities
+in entrepreneurship, innovation, public service, and
+leadership; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) have had a positive impact in their
+communities, organizations, or institutions.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Oversight.--The fellowships described in
+paragraph (1) shall be overseen by the Secretary of State
+through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural
+Affairs.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Eligibility.--The Secretary of State shall
+establish and publish--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) eligibility criteria for participation
+as a fellow under paragraph (1); and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) criteria for determining which
+eligible applicants will be selected.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (d) Reciprocal Exchanges.--Subject to the approval of the
+Secretary of State, United States citizens may--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) engage in reciprocal exchanges in connection
+with alumni of the fellowship described in subsection (c);
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) collaborate on projects with such fellowship
+alumni.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (e) Regional Leadership Centers and Networks.--The
+Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development
+shall establish--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) not fewer than 4 regional leadership centers
+in sub-Saharan Africa to offer in-person and online training
+throughout the year on business and entrepreneurship, civic
+leadership, and public management to young African leaders
+who--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) are between 18 and 35 years of
+age;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) have demonstrated strong capabilities
+in entrepreneurship, innovation, public service and
+leadership, and peace-building and conflict resolution;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) have had a positive impact in their
+communities, organizations, or institutions;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) an online network that provides information
+and courses on, and connections with leaders in, the private
+and public sectors of Africa.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (f) Activities.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) United states-based activities.--The Secretary
+of State, in coordination with the heads of relevant Federal
+departments and agencies, shall oversee all United States-based
+activities carried out under YALI, including--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) the participation of Mandela
+Washington Fellows in a 6-week Leadership Institute at
+a United States educational institution in business,
+civic engagement, or public management, including
+academic sessions, site visits, professional networking
+opportunities, leadership training, community service,
+and organized cultural activities; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) the participation by Mandela
+Washington fellows in an annual Mandela Washington
+Fellowship Summit, to provide such Fellows the
+opportunity to meet with United States leaders from the
+private, public, and nonprofit sectors.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Africa-based activities.--The Secretary of
+State, in coordination with the Administrator for the United
+States Agency for International Development and the heads of
+other relevant Federal departments and agencies, should
+continue to support YALI activities in sub-Saharan Africa,
+including--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) continued leadership training and
+other professional development opportunities for
+Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders
+alumni upon their return to their home countries,
+including online courses, technical assistance, and
+access to funding;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) training for young African leaders at
+regional leadership centers established pursuant to
+subsection (e), and through online and in-person
+courses offered by such centers; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) opportunities for networking and
+engagement with--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) alumni of the Mandela
+Washington Fellowship for Young African
+Leaders;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) alumni of programs at
+regional leadership centers established
+pursuant to subsection (e);</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) United States and like-
+minded diplomatic missions, business leaders,
+and others as appropriate; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iv) where practicable and
+appropriate, other United States-funded
+regional leadership programs, including the
+Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative
+(YSEALI), the Young Leaders of the Americas
+Initiative (YLAI), the Young Pacific Leaders
+(YPL), and the Young Transatlantic Innovation
+Leaders Initiative (YTILI), and through
+Department of State programs such as the
+Community Engagement Exchange Program and other
+initiatives.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Implementation.--The Secretary of State, in
+coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency
+for International Development and the heads of other relevant
+Federal departments and agencies, shall carry out this
+subsection by seeking to partner with the private sector--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) to pursue public-private
+partnerships;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) to leverage private sector
+expertise;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) to expand networking opportunities;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) to identify funding opportunities and
+fellowship and employment opportunities for
+YALI.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (g) Implementation Plan.--Not later than 180 days after
+the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
+coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency for
+International Development and the heads of other relevant Federal
+departments and agencies, shall submit a plan to the appropriate
+congressional committees for implementing YALI, including--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) a description of clearly defined program
+goals, targets, and planned outcomes for each year and for the
+duration of implementation of the program;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) a strategy to monitor and evaluate the program
+and progress made toward achieving such goals, targets, and
+planned outcomes; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) a strategy to ensure the program is promoting
+United States foreign policy goals in Africa, including
+ensuring that the program is clearly branded, paired with
+robust public diplomacy efforts, and incorporates diversity
+among participants as practicable, including countries and
+communities in Africa facing economic distress, civil conflict,
+marginalization, and other challenges.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (h) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
+enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the following 4
+years, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator
+of the United States Agency for International Development, shall submit
+to the appropriate congressional committees, and publish in a publicly
+accessible, internet-based form, a report that includes--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) a description of the progress made toward
+achieving the goals, targets, and planned outcomes described in
+subsection (g)(1), including an overview of the program
+implemented in the previous year and an estimated number of
+beneficiaries;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) an assessment of how YALI is contributing to
+and promoting United States-Africa relations, particularly in
+areas of increased private sector investment, trade promotion,
+support to civil society, improved public administration,
+promoting peace and security, and fostering entrepreneurship
+and youth empowerment;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) recommendations for improvements or changes to
+YALI and the implementation plan, if any, that would improve
+their effectiveness during subsequent years of YALI's
+implementation; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) for the first report submitted under this
+subsection, an assessment of the feasibility of expanding YALI
+to Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) Defined Term.--In this section, the term ``appropriate
+congressional committees'' means--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
+Senate;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) the Committee on Appropriations of the
+Senate;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
+of Representatives; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House
+of Representatives.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (j) Sunset.--This section shall cease to have effect on
+the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this
+Act.</DELETED>
+
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLES.
This Act may be cited as the ``Young African Leaders Initiative Act
-of 2025'' or the ``YALI Act of 2025''.
+of 2026'' or the ``YALI Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
@@ -57,20 +306,13 @@
countries of origin and across Africa; and
(E) connect young African leaders continentally and
globally across the private, civic, and public sectors;
+and
(4) youth in Africa have a positive impact on efforts to
foster economic growth, improve public sector transparency and
governance, and counter extremism, and should be an area of
-focus for United States outreach on the African continent; and
-(5) the Secretary of State should--
-(A) increase the number of fellows from Africa
-participating in the Mandela Washington Fellowship
-above the estimated 700 fellows who participated during
-fiscal year 2024; and
-(B) identify additional ways to connect YALI alumni
-to United States public and private resources and
-institutions.
-
-SEC. 3. YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS INITIATIVE PROGRAM.
+focus for United States outreach on the African continent.
+
+SEC. 3. YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS INITIATIVE.
(a) In General.--There is established the Young African Leaders
Initiative (referred to in this section as ``YALI''), which shall be
@@ -81,8 +323,9 @@
(1) support young African leaders by offering professional
development, training, and networking opportunities,
particularly in the areas of leadership, innovation, civic
-engagement, elections, human rights, entrepreneurship, good
-governance, peace and security, and public administration; and
+engagement, elections, internationally recognized human rights,
+entrepreneurship, good governance, peace and security, and
+public administration; and
(2) provide increased economic and technical assistance to
young African leaders to promote economic growth, strengthen
ties between United States and African businesses, build
@@ -114,25 +357,7 @@
(1) engage in reciprocal exchanges in connection with
alumni of the fellowship described in subsection (c); and
(2) collaborate on projects with such fellowship alumni.
-(e) Regional Leadership Centers and Networks.--The Administrator of
-the United States Agency for International Development shall
-establish--
-(1) not fewer than 4 regional leadership centers in sub-
-Saharan Africa to offer in-person and online training
-throughout the year on business and entrepreneurship, civic
-leadership, and public management to young African leaders
-who--
-(A) are between 18 and 35 years of age;
-(B) have demonstrated strong capabilities in
-entrepreneurship, innovation, public service and
-leadership, and peace-building and conflict resolution;
-and
-(C) have had a positive impact in their
-communities, organizations, or institutions; and
-(2) an online network that provides information and courses
-on, and connections with leaders in, the private and public
-sectors of Africa.
-(f) Activities.--
+(e) Activities.--
(1) United states-based activities.--The Secretary of
State, in coordination with the heads of relevant Federal
departments and agencies, shall oversee all United States-based
@@ -149,57 +374,20 @@
provide such Fellows the opportunity to meet with
United States leaders from the private, public, and
nonprofit sectors.
-(2) Africa-based activities.--The Secretary of State, in
-coordination with the Administrator for the United States
-Agency for International Development and the heads of other
-relevant Federal departments and agencies, should continue to
-support YALI activities in sub-Saharan Africa, including--
-(A) continued leadership training and other
-professional development opportunities for Mandela
-Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders alumni
-upon their return to their home countries, including
-online courses, technical assistance, and access to
-funding;
-(B) training for young African leaders at regional
-leadership centers established pursuant to subsection
-(e), and through online and in-person courses offered
-by such centers; and
-(C) opportunities for networking and engagement
-with--
-(i) alumni of the Mandela Washington
-Fellowship for Young African Leaders;
-(ii) alumni of programs at regional
-leadership centers established pursuant to
-subsection (e);
-(iii) United States and like-minded
-diplomatic missions, business leaders, and
-others as appropriate; and
-(iv) where practicable and appropriate,
-other United States-funded regional leadership
-programs, including the Young Southeast Asian
-Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), the Young Leaders
-of the Americas Initiative (YLAI), the Young
-Pacific Leaders (YPL), and the Young
-Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative
-(YTILI), and through Department of State
-programs such as the Community Engagement
-Exchange Program and other initiatives.
-(3) Implementation.--The Secretary of State, in
-coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency
-for International Development and the heads of other relevant
-Federal departments and agencies, shall carry out this
-subsection by seeking to partner with the private sector--
+(2) Implementation.--The Secretary of State, in
+coordination with the heads of other relevant Federal
+departments and agencies, shall carry out this subsection by
+seeking to partner with the private sector--
(A) to pursue public-private partnerships;
(B) to leverage private sector expertise;
(C) to expand networking opportunities; and
(D) to identify funding opportunities and
fellowship and employment opportunities for YALI.
-(g) Implementation Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
+(f) Implementation Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with
-the Administrator of the United States Agency for International
-Development and the heads of other relevant Federal departments and
-agencies, shall submit a plan to the appropriate congressional
-committees for implementing YALI, including--
+the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, shall
+submit a plan to the appropriate congressional committees for
+implementing YALI, including--
(1) a description of clearly defined program goals,
targets, and planned outcomes for each year and for the
duration of implementation of the program;
@@ -209,34 +397,29 @@
(3) a strategy to ensure the program is promoting United
States foreign policy goals in Africa, including ensuring that
the program is clearly branded, paired with robust public
-diplomacy efforts, and incorporates diversity among
-participants as practicable, including countries and
-communities in Africa facing economic distress, civil conflict,
-marginalization, and other challenges.
-(h) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment
+diplomacy efforts, and incorporates participants from a variety
+of countries, including communities in Africa facing economic
+distress, civil conflict, persecution, and other challenges.
+(g) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment
of this Act, and annually thereafter for the following 4 years, the
-Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of the
-United States Agency for International Development, shall submit to the
-appropriate congressional committees, and publish in a publicly
-accessible, internet-based form, a report that includes--
+Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional
+committees, and publish in a publicly accessible, internet-based form,
+a report that includes--
(1) a description of the progress made toward achieving the
-goals, targets, and planned outcomes described in subsection
-(g)(1), including an overview of the program implemented in the
+goals, targets, and planned outcomes referred to in subsection
+(f)(1), including an overview of the program implemented in the
previous year and an estimated number of beneficiaries;
(2) an assessment of how YALI is contributing to and
promoting United States-Africa relations, particularly in areas
of increased private sector investment, trade promotion,
support to civil society, improved public administration,
promoting peace and security, and fostering entrepreneurship
-and youth empowerment;
+and youth empowerment; and
(3) recommendations for improvements or changes to YALI and
the implementation plan, if any, that would improve their
effectiveness during subsequent years of YALI's implementation;
and
-(4) for the first report submitted under this subsection,
-an assessment of the feasibility of expanding YALI to Morocco,
-Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt.
-(i) Defined Term.--In this section, the term ``appropriate
+(h) Defined Term.--In this section, the term ``appropriate
congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
@@ -244,6 +427,26 @@
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
-(j) Sunset.--This section shall cease to have effect on the date
+(i) Sunset.--This section shall cease to have effect on the date
that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
-<all>
+Calendar No. 324
+
+119th CONGRESS
+
+2d Session
+
+S. 2236
+
+_______________________________________________________________________
+
+A BILL
+
+To establish a comprehensive United States Government initiative to
+build the capacity of young leaders and entrepreneurs in Africa, and
+for other purposes.
+
+_______________________________________________________________________
+
+February 10, 2026
+
+Reported with an amendment
Cosponsors (1)
Members who signed on to support this bill.