What would a year inside the executive office of a major development institution teach you? The Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship places experienced African professionals at the African Development Bank for up to 12 months, with a monthly stipend.
It is aimed at mid-career African professionals with a Master’s degree and at least seven years of relevant experience. There is no application fee, and the deadline is 20 November 2026.
Quick Facts: Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship
- Opportunity Type: Fellowship (paid, executive-office placement)
- Host Organization: African Development Bank (AfDB), for the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship Program
- Duration: Up to 12 months; one-year contract, not renewable
- Funding / Financial Support: Paid-stipend supported: annual stipend paid monthly by the Bank; medical insurance, child education support and retirement arrangements; travel and repatriation costs covered by Foundation funds
- Stipend / Salary: A USD $100,000 annual stipend for the 12-month fellowship period
- Application Fee: Free
- Nationality: African national (any African country)
- Degree Required: Minimum Master’s degree in banking, business, economics, finance, development or a related field
- Age: Maximum 40 years (45 for women with children)
- Work Experience: Minimum 7 years of relevant experience
- Fields / Areas: Banking, business, economics, finance, development and related fields
- Deadline: 20 November 2026
What Is This Opportunity?
The fellowship is a one-year, non-renewable placement for one African professional at the African Development Bank. Fellows contribute to the Bank’s work while building leadership and policy skills.
Good to know: the Foundation’s programme is also reported to place fellows at other institutions. This guide follows the AfDB call, so check each institution’s own vacancy for its details.
Who Can Apply?
- Nationality: African national (any country)
- Degree: Minimum Master’s degree in banking, business, economics, finance, development or a related field
- Work experience: Minimum 7 years of relevant experience
- Age: Maximum 40 years (45 for women with children)
- Skills: Leadership, analytical and communication skills; strategic planning and policy development experience
- Not eligible: Current, retired or separated Bank staff; people with close family relations to Bank staff; government officials, active military personnel and political party leaders
What Do You Get?
- An annual stipend paid monthly by the Bank, for a maximum of 12 months
- Medical insurance
- Child education support
- Retirement arrangements
- Travel and repatriation costs covered by Foundation funds
What Will You Do?
- Work within the Bank on a one-year, non-renewable contract
- Apply strategic planning and policy development skills to real institutional work
Fields / Areas
- Banking
- Business
- Economics
- Finance
- Development and related fields
How to Apply
- Read the official AfDB vacancy notice.
- Prepare your CV (including date of birth and nationality), academic transcripts and three recommendation letters.
- External candidates apply through the Bank’s online portal; online submission only.
- Submit before the deadline.
Want more programmes like this? Browse our Fellowships category.
Important Deadline
20 November 2026 | Time not specified by the host
Gathering three recommendation letters takes time, so it is worth asking your referees early rather than close to the deadline.
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