The World Bank Group has launched its 2026 Africa Fellowship Programme, seeking to recruit the continent’s brightest emerging scholars for six-month placements at the international development organisation.
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The competitive programme targets Ph.D. candidates and recent doctoral graduates from Sub-Saharan Africa, with special encouragement for women applicants as part of the Bank’s gender equality initiatives.
Applications opened July 1 and will close August 25, 2025, for fellowships beginning in January 2026.
Six-Month Development Immersion
Selected fellows will work full-time at World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C., or at country offices across Africa from January through June 2026. The programme offers hands-on experience in research, policy development, and lending operations focused on sustainable development goals.
“The fellowship is designed for promising African scholars who are either in the final stages of their Ph.D. studies or have completed their doctorate within the last three years,” the World Bank stated in its announcement.
Fellows will contribute to economic policy development, technical assistance initiatives, and analytical work addressing complex development challenges facing African nations.
Cultivating African Leadership
The programme aims to build a pipeline of African experts who can lead development initiatives across the continent. Previous fellows have advanced to leadership roles in international institutions, African governments, think tanks, and academia.
The World Bank stated that the initiative supports local ownership of development agendas, ensuring African voices help shape policies affecting their communities.
“By investing in top talent from across the continent, the programme aligns with the WBG’s overarching mission to reduce poverty and foster shared prosperity in developing countries,” the organisation said.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be citizens of Sub-Saharan African countries, under age 32, and demonstrate strong analytical and quantitative skills along with English proficiency.
The Bank encourages candidates with expertise in economics, public policy, education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, governance, and climate change to apply.
Two-Phase Selection Process
The selection process involves an initial screening based on academic background and relevance to expertise, followed by consultations with World Bank hiring units.
All applicants will receive notification of their status, including those shortlisted but not selected. Successful candidates will receive consultant contracts, fees, and round-trip economy airfare to their assigned locations.
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