Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship 2026 Is Open

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AfDB Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship 2026

The Côte d’Ivoire AfDB Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship 2026 is one of the most prestigious fully funded African fellowships available for emerging leaders across the continent. Hosted at the African Development Bank (AfDB) headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, this program is designed to nurture Africa’s next generation of transformational leaders who are ready to shape the continent’s sustainable and inclusive future.

Profile of the Mo Fellowship

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship is a unique professional opportunity that allows outstanding young and mid-career professionals from Africa to gain firsthand experience at one of the continent’s most influential financial institutions.
Through a one-year, fully funded placement at the AfDB, fellows receive mentorship and guidance directly from senior executives, including the bank’s president and high-ranking officials.
This exposure equips them with practical skills in governance, strategic planning, policy formulation, and leadership, all of which are essential for driving economic progress and good governance in Africa.
Established in 2006, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation has consistently championed leadership excellence and sound governance across Africa.
The Foundation’s mission is to strengthen public institutions and empower capable leaders who can build a better future for their nations.
Through the Fellowship, the Foundation and AfDB aim to enhance leadership capacity by combining academic knowledge, policy insight, and hands-on experience at the heart of African development.

Study Disciplines

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation Fellowship is not an academic degree program but a professional leadership development initiative. Prospective applicants who wish to be successful must, however, hold a master’s degree in a relevant field such as

Economics
Finance
Banking
Business Administration
International Development
Public Policy
Social Sciences
Or other disciplines aligned with AfDB’s operational areas

Benefits of the Internship

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship 2026 is fully funded, offering numerous benefits that make it one of the most sought-after African fellowships and internship opportunities. The successful fellows will enjoy:

A 12-month fully financed placement at the African Development Bank (AfDB) headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
A competitive annual stipend, paid monthly by the AfDB.
Comprehensive medical coverage, child education, and retirement contributions are supported by the Foundation.
Travel and mission-related expenses are fully covered by the bank.
Direct mentorship from AfDB’s top leadership and opportunities to contribute to key strategic initiatives.
A rare platform to gain deep insight into Africa’s development priorities, governance frameworks, and economic transformation strategies.

This program provides unparalleled exposure to Africa’s top policymakers and development experts, helping fellows refine their leadership vision and strengthen their capacity to drive impact in both public and private sectors across the continent.

Qualified Countries

Applicants must be nationals of African countries, regardless of where they currently reside. However, candidates with dual nationality are not eligible for this program. The Fellowship seeks to empower Africans dedicated to advancing their home countries through innovation, leadership, and governance excellence.

Needed Qualifications

This opportunity is a prestigious one and is sought by many young African people to prepare themselves for their professional lives. To be considered for the 2026 Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship, candidates must meet the following requirements:

Must be a citizen of an African country.
Be under 40 years old (or under 45 for women with children).
Hold at least a master’s degree in a relevant field.
Have a minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience related to AfDB’s High 5 priorities:

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

Demonstrate strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills.
Show a proven record in policy formulation, project execution, or strategic planning.
Must not be a current or former staff member of the AfDB, nor have close family relations with one.
Government officials, active military personnel, or political party leaders are not eligible to apply.

The Application Procedure

Interested candidates should apply online through the official AfDB career portal.

Complete the online application form via the AfDB website.
Submit a detailed CV, including date of birth, nationality, education, and work experience.
Attach academic transcripts and three recommendation letters.
Application deadline: 20 November 2025.
Shortlisted candidates will go through AfDB’s vetting process before the final selection by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.

Further details on the application

Initial screening by AfDB’s HR department to shortlist up to 10 candidates.
Review and evaluation by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.
Final selection of the three top candidates approved by the AfDB President or designated authority.

Useful Information

The Fellowship is non-renewable and does not guarantee employment at the AfDB.
Fellows cannot apply for AfDB staff positions within one year after completing the program.
The African Development Bank is an equal opportunity employer, and women are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Reason to Apply

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship 2026 stands out among fully funded African fellowships because it combines leadership training, policy engagement, and practical experience at one of Africa’s leading institutions.
Fellows not only gain professional growth but also become part of a network of visionary leaders driving Africa’s transformation.
If you are an ambitious African professional passionate about governance, development, and leadership, this fellowship could be your gateway to making a lasting impact on the continent.