World Bank Africa Fellowship Program 2026
The World Bank Africa Fellowship targets young talented African nationals who are completing or have recently completed their Ph.D. in an area relevant to the World Bank’s work.
The fellowship program has been very successful since its inception, building a strong pipeline of young African talent interested in a career in development, in international institutions, African governments, think tanks, and academia.
The program offers selected fellows a six-month assignment at WBG offices in Washington D.C. or in country offices to gain hands-on experience in WBG operations.
Through the fully funded fellowship program, the World Bank aims to build the capacity of the next generation of African change makers in development research, policymaking and promote the goals of reducing poverty in the region.
Eligibility Criterias for the World Bank Africa Fellowship Program 2026
- Be a recent Ph.D. graduate (within three years of completion) or be enrolled in the last year of the Ph.D. program.
- Have an excellent command of English, both written and verbal.
- Possesses strong quantitative and analytical skills.
- Be under the age of 32Â by the closing of the application period.
Summary of the World Bank Africa Fellowship Program 2026
- Type: Fellowship
- Location: Washington, D.C.
- Eligible Countries: All African Nationals
- Duration: 6 months
- Benefits: Fellows are eligible to receive consultant fees and round-trip economy-class air travel to Washington, D.C. or a WBG country office.
- Deadline: August 25, 2025
If accepted, you will:
- Spend six months getting hands-on experience at the WBG headquarters in Washington, D.C. or a country office. The fellowship requires in-person availability for the period January-June 2025.
- work on research, economic policy, technical assistance, and lending operations that contribute to the WBG’s goals of eliminating poverty and increasing shared prosperity.
The following additional attributes are highly desirable:
- A command of an additional World Bank official language
- National from fragile and conflict-affected countries
- Candidates from refugee and internally displaced communities and/or with proven experience on forced displacement
Selection Phase for the World Bank Africa Fellowship Program 2026
Phase I:
- A short-list of candidates will be selected and made available for hire to the different units of the WBG depending on the applicants’ field of specialization and interest.
- Applicants will be notified about the status of their application or whether they have been shortlisted or not.
Phase II:
- The final list of fellows will be selected in consultation with the various units of the WBG.
- When the selection is complete, all shortlisted candidates will be informed of their selection status.
- Selected candidates will then be notified and, upon acceptance, be hired as short-term consultants for six months starting January 2026.
Deadline: August 25, 2025
