Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship 2027

The Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships were established in 2011 to identify and mentor the future generation of outstanding African leaders. Each year three Fellows have an opportunity to work in the executive offices of the AfDB (Abidjan), ECA (Addis Ababa) or the ITC (Geneva), with a stipend of $100,000.
During their 12-month programmes, Fellows gain both technical and leadership skills, while contributing directly to research and policy design. A special feature of the programme is the opportunity to benefit from the direct mentorship of the heads of the host organisations. 
Established in 2006, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation aims to support good governance and great leadership in Africa. The Foundation works to:

• Stimulate debate on good governance;
• Provide criteria by which citizens and governments can measure progress;
• Recognize achievement in African leadership and provide a practical way in which leaders can build positive legacies on the continent when they have left office;
• Support aspiring leaders for the African continent.

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation (the “Foundation”) is financing the Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship position in the African Development Bank (the “Bank”). The Fellow will perform the functions and duties of the position at the headquarters of the Bank in Abidjan, the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, or in any other location from which the Bank carries out its operations.

The Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship Programme is a selective Fellowship that prepares the next generation of outstanding African leaders by providing them with unique work opportunities at the most senior level of prominent African institutions or multilateral organizations, whose mandate is to improve the economic and social prospects of Africa. The Fellowship allows talented individuals to increase and enhance their professional capacity, with the intention of contributing to the governance and development of their countries thereby creating a pipeline of future African leaders.

• Table of Content
• About Mo Ibrahim Foundation
• Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship Fellowship
• Aim and Benefits of Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship Fellowship
• Requirements for Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship Fellowship Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship Fellowship

Aim and Benefits of Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship Fellowship

The Fellow will work with the Bank for this purpose, for a period not exceeding twelve (12) months, and the Foundation will finance the costs associated with the position on the following terms:

CONTRACT TERMS AND DURATION:

1. The fellow will receive an annual stipend monthly paid by the Bank out of the funds provided by Foundation. The Fellow may be required to travel to different locations on instructions of the Bank. All expenses related to the Fellow’s official mission travel, including travel insurance but excluding travel and shipping costs relating to assumption of duty and repatriation, will be borne by the Bank.
2. The Fellow will sign a contract with the Bank before commencement of service.
3. For the duration of his/her contract with the Bank, the Fellow will, for all operational purposes and purposes of conduct, be required to comply with the Staff Regulations and Rules of the Bank. Only the Bank and not the Foundation shall be entitled to direct and instruct the Fellow in his/her performance or conduct during the course his/her assignment with the Bank.
4. The Fellow is not a regular employee of the Bank or is not granted a right to employment with the Bank. There is no obligation to hire the Fellow and there is no presumption of future employment at the Bank upon expiration of the twelve (12) month fellowship Term. The Fellow shall not be eligible for recruitment as a staff member of the Bank for a period of 1 (one) year from the date of termination of his/her Fellowship with the Bank or expiration of the 12-month Fellowship term (whichever is sooner).
5. The Fellow shall not participate in the Bank’s child educational scheme and staff medical insurance and retirement plans.
6. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation will ensure that the Fellow has his/her own medical insurance, child education and retirement plan arrangements.
7. The travel and shipping costs for the assumption of duty and repatriation at the end of the appointment will be borne and paid out of the Funds provided by the Foundation.

Requirements for Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship Fellowship Qualification

The Fellowship is for young professionals, mid-career or/and new executives. The Fellow must:

1. Be national of an African country, residing anywhere in the world;
2. Not be an active, non-active, retired, or separated staff member of the Bank;
3. Not have close family relations with an active or non-active staff member, such as mother, father, sister and brother;
4. Government officials, active military personnel and political party leaders are not eligible;
5. Age limit is forty (40) years for men and women and forty-five (45) years for women with children;
6. Have outstanding academic credentials backed by a minimum of a Master’s Degree from a recognized institution in banking, business, economics or other social sciences, finance, international development, or in any other discipline relevant to the Bank’s business;
7. Have relevant and demonstrable work experience, strong communication skills, demonstrated leadership skills and ability to work with others;
8. Have at least 7 (seven) years’ work experience relevant to the Bank’s activities;
9. Demonstrate proven leadership and consultative skills;
10. Have experience in strategic planning, project management and execution;
11. Have experience in formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures;
12. Demonstrate strong ability to analyze and interpret financial and other data;
13. Excellent written and oral presentation skills;
14. Demonstrate ability to communicate and interact with officials at all levels of government and to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community;
15. Demonstrate ability to motivate teams and simultaneously manage several projects.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

• Interested candidates should complete the online form at the Bank’s website: https://www.afdb.org/en/vacancy/2027-mo-ibrahim-foundation-leadership-fellowship-program-96407
• Applicants must apply online by no later than 20th November 2026.
• Applications will only be considered if they are submitted on line with a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) indicating date of birth, nationality, education and relevant experience.
• Applicants must also attach copies of academic transcripts and three letters of recommendation.
• The selection process will include the Bank’s Human Resources Department carrying out an initial vetting of applications to develop a short list of ten (10) applicant files to be further reviewed by the Foundation. A short list of three (3) candidates will be presented to the President of the Bank (or his designate) for final selection.
• Only applicants who fully meet the Bank's requirements and are considered for interview will be contacted.

This position is not a regular position of the African Development Bank.  The contract for this assignment is for a period of one (1) year and is not renewable.  Funding is provided by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation (MIF).

Should you encounter technical difficulties in submitting your application, please send an email with a precise description of the issue and/or a screenshot showing the problem to: HR Direct [email protected].

Should you encounter technical difficulties in submitting your application, please send an email with a precise description of the issue and/or a screenshot showing the problem to: HR Direct [email protected]

Apply for this position

1- Regular Staff

• If you are currently working at the African Development Bank as a regular staff, click on the button below to apply for this position.
• Apply for this position

2- External Candidate

• If you are not currently working at the African Development Bank, or if you are a Short Term Staff (STS), a Technical Assistant or a Consultant at the Bank, click on the button below to apply for the position.
• Apply for this position

To apply for this position, you need to be national of one of AfDB member countries.

For more information, kindly visit Mo Ibrahim Foundation webpage.