2027 Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships: Apply for a US$100,000 Fellowship

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation is accepting applications for its 2027 Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships, a professional development programme designed for emerging African leaders with relevant work experience.

The fellowships provide selected professionals with first-hand experience of leadership, policy development and institutional decision-making at major African and international organisations.

Three fellows will be selected for 12-month placements at the African Development Bank Group, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the International Trade Centre.

Fellowship Benefits

Successful fellows will receive:

US$100,000 stipend for the fellowship.

Twelve months of professional experience within a host institution.

Direct mentorship from senior institutional leaders.

Exposure to policy research, institutional leadership and decision-making.

Opportunities to build professional networks across Africa and internationally.

Membership of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation's Now Generation Network after completing the fellowship.

Fellowship Host Institutions

The three placements are:

1. African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

Location: Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Fellows gain exposure to development finance, economic development and policy work within the African Development Bank Group.

2. United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The placement offers experience related to African economic and social development, regional policy and institutional work.

3. International Trade Centre (ITC)

Location: Geneva, Switzerland.

The placement provides exposure to international trade, inclusive development and policy initiatives.

Applicants should consult the relevant host institution's application information because additional requirements and procedures may differ.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

Be nationals of an African country.

Hold a master's degree.

Have at least seven years of relevant professional experience.

Be under 40 years old, or under 45 for women with children.

Meet any additional requirements specified by the host institution.

Programme Duration:

12 months.

Each fellow works within the executive office of the selected host institution and contributes to research, policy work and institutional activities.

How to Apply

Applications are handled through the relevant host institutions. Applicants should review the requirements for their preferred placement and submit their applications through the corresponding official portal.

African Development Bank Group: https://www.afdb.org/

International Trade Centre: https://careers.un.org/

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa: https://www.uneca.org/

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation's official fellowship page provides links to the host institutions' application information.

Official fellowship details: https://mo.ibrahim.foundation/fellowships

2027 fellowship announcement: https://mo.ibrahim.foundation/news/2026/applications-open-2027-ibrahim-leadership-fellowships

Application Deadline

20 November 2026.

Important information:

Applicants should check the relevant host institution's application instructions to confirm the applicable deadline and submission requirements.