The World Bank Group (WBG) Africa Region is pleased to announce the upcoming application period for the 2026 Africa Fellowship Program. This transformative initiative is designed for Ph.D. candidates and recent Ph.D. graduates from Sub-Saharan Africa, with a strong encouragement for women to apply. The fellowship provides a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in international development and contribute meaningfully to global efforts to eliminate poverty and increase shared prosperity.
Since its inception in 2013, the program has cultivated a pipeline of exceptional African scholars who have gone on to shape policy, research, and practice across the continent and globally. In 2025 alone, over 3,000 candidates applied, with 26 fellows selected, 54% of whom were women. These fellows hailed from 15 African countries and joined departments across the WBG, including the Development Research Group, Climate Finance Mobilization, Health, Nutrition & Population, and more.
What the World Bank Africa Fellowship Program Offers
Selected fellows will spend six months (January–June 2026) at WBG headquarters in Washington, D.C., or at a country office, contributing to:
- Research and data analysis
- Economic policy and lending operations
- Technical assistance
- Knowledge generation and dissemination
World Bank Africa Fellowship Program Eligibility Criteria
- To qualify for the program, applicants must:
- Be a Sub-Saharan Africa national
- Be under 32 years old by the close of applications
- Be enrolled in a Ph.D. program (final year) or have completed a Ph.D. within the last 3 years
- Have an excellent command of English
- Possess strong quantitative and analytical skills
World Bank Africa Fellowship Program Selection Process
- Shortlisting: Candidates are reviewed and matched with suitable WBG units based on their areas of expertise.
- Final Selection: After unit consultations, finalists are offered six-month consultancy positions starting January 2026.
Fellows receive consultant compensation and round-trip economy airfare to their duty station.
Impact of the World Bank Africa Fellowship Program
Alumni of the Africa Fellowship Program have joined the World Bank Group as consultants, young professionals, and economists. Others have gone on to impactful roles at the IMF, African universities, and global think tanks. The program’s success lies not just in skill development but in the real-world contributions fellows make during their assignments.
Apply and Lead the Change
If you’re a young African scholar ready to influence development policy and practice, this is your chance. Join a growing network of changemakers shaping Africa’s future—one research insight, one policy brief, one impactful project at a time.
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