Applications are now open for the 2026 World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program. The Africa region of the World Bank Group (WBG) is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for the 2026 WBG Africa Fellowship Program for Ph.D. candidates and recent Ph.D. graduates who are Sub-Saharan Africa nationals. Women are especially encouraged to apply. Through the fellowship, we aim 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.  

If accepted, you will:

• spend six months getting hands-on experience at WBG headquarters in Washington D.C. or a country office. The fellowship requires an 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 goal of eliminating poverty and increasing shared prosperity.

The program 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. This includes knowledge generation and dissemination, design of global and country policies, and the building of institutions to achieve inclusive growth in developing countries. While benefitting from research and innovation in multiple sectors, fellows will also work on research, economic policy, technical assistance, and lending operations that contribute to the World Bank’s goal of eliminating poverty and increasing shared prosperity.

Eligibility Requirements

• 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. 
• Possess strong quantitative and analytical skills. 
• Be under the age of 32 by the closing of the application period.

SELECTION PROCESS

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.

Fellows are eligible to receive consultant fees and round-trip economy-class air travel to Washington, D.C. or a WBG country office.   

Application Deadline: August 25, 2025

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program

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