2027 Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship Programme

About this opportunity

Established in 2006, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation supports good governance and great leadership in Africa — stimulating debate on governance, giving citizens and governments criteria to measure progress, recognising achievement in African leadership, and supporting aspiring leaders across the continent. The Foundation finances the Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship position at the African Development Bank. The Fellow performs the functions and duties of the position at Bank headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, or at any other location from which the Bank operates. This is a selective Fellowship that prepares the next generation of outstanding African leaders by giving them work opportunities at the most senior level of prominent African institutions and multilateral organisations. Talented individuals build professional capacity with the intention of contributing to the governance and development of their countries — creating a pipeline of future African leaders. The Fellow works with the Bank for up to twelve months, taking leadership guidance from the President, Managing Directors, Chief of Staff and Director of Cabinet, and contributes to the design and implementation of strategic assignments. Note: this is not regular employment, carries no presumption of continued employment, and the Fellow is barred from applying to Bank staff roles for one year after the fellowship ends.

Who can apply

• National of an African country, residing anywhere in the world
• Age limit 40 for men and women; 45 for women with children
• Minimum of a Master's Degree from a recognised institution
• Fields: banking, business, economics, social sciences, finance, international development, or any discipline relevant to the Bank's business
• Young professionals, mid-career or new executives with top-notch private sector professional experience
• Strong analytical skills in development policy and strategy; ability to run development models
• Not an active, non-active, retired or separated staff member of the Bank
• No close family relations with current or former Bank staff
• Government officials, active military personnel and political party leaders are NOT eligible

What you get

• Monthly stipend paid by the Bank from Mo Ibrahim Foundation funds
• Up to 12 months at African Development Bank HQ in Abidjan
• Senior-level exposure to the President, Managing Directors and Chief of Staff
• Official mission travel fully funded, including travel insurance
• Relocation to duty station and repatriation costs paid by the Foundation
• Access to high-level African policy and development networks
• Pipeline membership for future African leadership opportunities

How to apply

1. 1
   Review eligibility

   Check that you meet all criteria before starting your application.

2. 2
   Prepare documents

   Gather transcripts, recommendation letters, and any required essays or statements.

3. 3
   Submit application

   Apply directly through the official link below. Deadline: 20 November 2026.