Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship 2027: African Development Bank Fellowship in Côte d’Ivoire
Applications are now open for the 2027 Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship Programme, an exceptional leadership development opportunity for outstanding African professionals seeking to contribute to Africa’s economic development, governance and institutional transformation.
The fellowship is hosted at the African Development Bank (AfDB) headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and is funded by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. It provides an opportunity to work alongside senior Bank leadership, including the President, Managing Directors and other high-level officials, while contributing to strategic initiatives that advance Africa’s development priorities.
The programme is designed for experienced African professionals with strong academic qualifications, leadership capabilities and a demonstrated commitment to development. The fellowship runs for 12 months and offers exposure to high-level policymaking, strategic planning and development finance.
Application deadline: 20 November 2026.
About the Mo Ibrahim Foundation
Established in 2006, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation works to promote good governance and effective leadership across Africa.
The Foundation focuses on stimulating debate on governance, providing tools to measure progress in governance and recognising outstanding African leadership. It also supports emerging leaders by creating opportunities to develop the skills and experience needed to contribute to the continent’s future.
Through the Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship Programme, the Foundation invests in talented African professionals and helps build a pipeline of future leaders capable of driving sustainable economic and social development.
About the Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship
The fellowship places selected candidates within prominent African institutions and multilateral organisations, providing practical experience at senior leadership level.
The 2027 fellowship will be hosted by the African Development Bank in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Fellows will work on strategic assignments that strengthen their professional and leadership capabilities while contributing to the Bank’s mission.
The appointment is for a period of 12 months and is non-renewable.
Key Responsibilities
The successful fellow will work under the guidance of senior African Development Bank leadership and contribute to strategic projects and institutional priorities.
Responsibilities include:
- Designing and supporting innovative approaches to strategic issues relevant to the Bank’s mission.
- Conducting research and analysing emerging development policies, programmes and strategies.
- Monitoring the implementation of Bank Group initiatives and development programmes.
- Preparing policy briefs, memoranda and reports explaining the potential impact of strategic initiatives.
- Participating in high-level discussions and contributing to preparations for the President’s meetings and official missions.
- Supporting other strategic assignments delegated by senior officials in the President’s Office.
The fellowship provides exposure to senior decision-making processes and opportunities to understand how major development institutions formulate and implement policy.
Priority Areas for the 2027 Fellowship
The selection of the 2027 fellow will be guided by the African Development Bank’s Four Cardinal Points:
- Mobilising resources for Africa’s development: Strengthening the mobilisation of financial resources to support large-scale development initiatives.
- Reforming Africa’s financial architecture: Supporting reforms that improve the continent’s financial systems and development financing structures.
- Harnessing the demographic dividend: Promoting economic growth through investments in Africa’s growing population.
- Building climate-resilient infrastructure: Advancing resilient infrastructure and greater value addition to Africa’s natural resources.
Candidates with strong experience in private-sector development, development policy, strategic analysis and economic modelling will be particularly relevant.
Eligibility Requirements
The fellowship is open to qualified African professionals who meet the following requirements:
Nationality: Applicants must be nationals of an African country, regardless of where they currently reside.
Age: Candidates must be no older than 40 years. The age limit is extended to 45 years for women with children.
Academic Qualifications: Applicants must hold at least a Master’s degree from a recognised institution in banking, business, economics, finance, international development, social sciences or another discipline relevant to the African Development Bank’s work.
Professional Experience: Candidates must have at least seven years of relevant professional experience.
Additional requirements include:
- Demonstrated leadership and consultative skills.
- Experience in strategic planning and project management.
- Experience developing and implementing policies, strategies and procedures.
- Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret financial and other data.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to engage with government officials and diverse stakeholders.
- Experience motivating teams and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
Government officials, active military personnel and political party leaders are not eligible. Current and former African Development Bank staff members are also excluded under the stated eligibility conditions.
Fellowship Duration, Stipend and Benefits
The fellowship lasts for a maximum of 12 months.
The fellow will receive an annual stipend paid monthly by the African Development Bank using funds provided by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.
Additional arrangements include medical insurance, child education and retirement provisions organised through the Foundation. Official mission travel expenses, including travel insurance, are covered by the Bank. Travel and shipping costs associated with taking up and completing the appointment are funded by the Foundation.
The fellowship is not a regular African Development Bank staff position and does not guarantee future employment with the institution.
How to Apply
Interested and eligible candidates must complete the online application through the African Development Bank’s official recruitment portal.
Applicants are required to submit:
- A comprehensive and updated curriculum vitae indicating date of birth, nationality, education and relevant professional experience.
- Copies of academic transcripts.
- Three letters of recommendation.
Applications must be submitted online by 20 November 2026.
Final Thoughts
The 2027 Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship offers a valuable opportunity for experienced African professionals to gain exposure to senior institutional leadership and contribute to strategic development priorities.
With its focus on governance, development finance, economic transformation and climate-resilient infrastructure, the programme is particularly suited to professionals aspiring to influence Africa’s development agenda.
Qualified candidates with strong leadership experience and a commitment to Africa’s future are encouraged to apply before the deadline.
Application deadline: 20 November 2026.
