2026 Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship Program

The 2026 Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship Program offers a prestigious opportunity for outstanding young African professionals to work at the African Development Bank (AfDB) headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. This fellowship provides hands-on experience at the highest levels of leadership in one of Africa’s leading multilateral development institutions, empowering future leaders to contribute to Africa’s economic transformation and good governance.

About the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Fellowship Program

Established in 2006, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation was created to promote good governance and leadership excellence in Africa. Through the Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship Program, the Foundation places exceptional individuals into executive-level positions within top African and international institutions, enabling them to:

Stimulate informed debate on governance issues.
Support the development of leadership capacity across the continent.
Recognize and encourage achievement in African leadership.
Strengthen institutions and governance structures for sustainable development.

The 2026 Fellowship at the African Development Bank is a one-year assignment designed to prepare fellows for future leadership roles in African institutions, governments, and development organizations.

Fellowship Details

Host Institution: African Development Bank
Location: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (with potential mission travel)
Duration: 12 months (non-renewable)
Stipend: Funded by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, with a monthly stipend paid through AfDB.
Closing Date: 20 November 2025
Position Number: 50080938

The fellow will work directly under the guidance of the President, Senior Vice President, Chief of Staff, and other senior leaders of AfDB. This immersive environment allows the fellow to work on strategic assignments that enhance leadership capacity and contribute to Africa’s governance and development agenda.

Contract Terms

The fellowship is not a staff position and does not guarantee future employment with AfDB.
Fellows are required to comply with AfDB’s staff regulations during the fellowship.
Fellows are ineligible for recruitment at the Bank for one year after the fellowship ends.
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation covers travel, shipping, and personal insurance (health, retirement, and education).
AfDB covers mission travel costs during the assignment.

Fellowship Responsibilities

The Ibrahim Leadership Fellow will work on strategic assignments, including:

Designing and implementing innovative approaches to address development challenges in line with the Bank’s objectives.
Conducting research and policy analysis on emerging issues and programs relevant to AfDB’s strategic priorities.
Monitoring the implementation of AfDB initiatives and preparing clear, actionable briefs and memos.
Participating in high-level discussions, including supporting the President’s missions and meetings.
Contributing to strategic planning, project design, and execution aligned with Africa’s development goals.

Focus Areas for 2026

The selection of the 2026 Mo Ibrahim Fellow will prioritize contributions to the Bank’s High 5 Agenda:

Lighting up and powering Africa
Feeding Africa
Industrializing Africa
Integrating Africa
Improving the quality of life for the people of Africa

Eligibility Criteria for 2026 Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship Program

To qualify for the 2026 Mo Ibrahim Foundation Fellowship, applicants must:

Be a national of an African country.
Be under 40 years old (45 for women with children).
Hold a Master’s degree or higher in economics, finance, international development, business, social sciences, or related fields.
Have at least 7 years of relevant professional experience in development, finance, governance, or related sectors.
Demonstrate strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills.
Not be a current or former staff member of AfDB.
Not have close family ties to AfDB staff.
Have experience in policy formulation, project execution, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement.
Be fluent in English (proficiency in French or other AfDB working languages is an asset).
Be able to work in a multicultural environment with stakeholders at different levels of government and development institutions.

Selection Process

Online Application: Candidates must complete the official application on AfDB’s careers website.
Document Submission: Applicants should submit their CV, academic transcripts, and three letters of recommendation.
Shortlisting: AfDB’s HR department will review applications and shortlist ten candidates.
Foundation Review: The Mo Ibrahim Foundation will further review shortlisted candidates.
Final Selection: Three finalists will be presented to the AfDB President for final selection.

Deadline for application: 20 November 2025.

How to Apply

Interested candidates can apply online through the official AfDB recruitment portal:

Apply Here

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Application requirements:

Comprehensive CV with personal details, education, and experience.
Academic transcripts.
Three recommendation letters.
Government-issued ID (passport or national ID).

Important Note:

AfDB will never request payment at any stage of the application process.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Technical issues with applications can be reported to: HRDirect@AFDB.ORG

Why This Fellowship Matters

The Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship is more than a work opportunity. It is a strategic investment in Africa’s future leaders. Fellows will:

Work at the heart of pan-African economic and governance strategies.
Gain direct access to leadership and decision-making platforms.
Build networks with global and African leaders.
Strengthen their capacity to influence development policies at national and continental levels.
Position themselves for future leadership roles in governments, development institutions, and international organizations.

Fieldwork and Global Opportunities

The fellowship may involve mission travel across Africa and internationally, allowing fellows to:

Engage with government officials, development partners, and civil society.
Participate in regional integration and development projects.
Contribute to Africa’s positioning in global development dialogues.

This global exposure is a key advantage of the Mo Ibrahim Fellowship, providing fellows with firsthand experience in international governance and policy implementation.

About the Mo Ibrahim Foundation

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation is dedicated to:

Supporting good governance in Africa.
Providing leadership pathways for young African professionals.
Recognizing achievements in governance through its Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership.
Strengthening civil society engagement in accountability and leadership.

More details can be found on the official Mo Ibrahim Foundation website.

African Union Youth Fellowship Program 2026 – Leadership development for young African professionals.
World Bank Africa Fellowship Program – Opportunities for researchers and development experts.
United Nations Development Programme Fellowships – International development placements.
Mandela Washington Fellowship – Young African leaders program in the United States.

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