A United States-based non-profit organisation, Doing Good Work in Africa (DOWA), has announced plans to launch its first-ever in-person internship programme across several African countries from Summer 2026, to strengthen collaboration between local innovators and youths in the diaspora.

The initiative follows DOWA’s five-year virtual internship programme, which has empowered about 100 young people of African descent to contribute to innovation projects across the continent.

In a recent statement, DOWA’s co-founder, Ola Erogbogbo, said the organisation is focused on building talent exchange networks between the African diaspora and emerging African enterprises, adding that the in-person phase is aimed at deepening engagement and creating direct, lasting impact.

Erogbogbo noted that the new phase would see 100 Diaspora students deployed to 15 African countries to work with startups addressing challenges in education, healthcare, agriculture, climate action, and digital inclusion.

“We’ve witnessed how virtual collaboration can unlock extraordinary innovation between Diaspora talent and African founders,” Erogbogbo said.

“Now, we’re taking it further — bringing that collaboration to life on the ground. Our Summer 2026 goal is for 100 Diaspora students to work directly with innovators across 15 African countries, translating skills and ideas into real systems that drive progress.”

He added that the programme builds on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9, which promotes sustainable industrialisation and technological advancement.

Since its inception, DOWA’s virtual interns have contributed more than 500,000 minutes of hands-on innovation across 20 African ventures, developing scalable solutions in telemedicine, green technology, and circular economy systems.

According to another co-founder of DOWA, Emiola Abass, the shift to physical internships represents a broader change in Diaspora involvement — from sending remittances to building infrastructure that supports Africa’s innovation ecosystem.

“This isn’t just about internships,” Abass added. “It’s about building bridges, connecting knowledge, talent, and opportunity to create inclusive systems that scale impact and strengthen Africa’s innovation infrastructure.”

While commending its partners, donors, and advisors for supporting its mission, the organisation expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Diaspora Commission and the Office of the President on Sustainable Development Goals for their encouragement and collaboration in advancing SDG 9.

The organisation noted that it is committed to strengthening systems that empower people, foster innovation, and build resilient communities across Africa, adding, “When global talent, local innovation, and shared purpose intersect, good work doesn’t just happen — it scales.”