Deadline: August 25, 2025.

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 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, they 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.  

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1. Be a recent Ph.D. graduate (within three years of completion) or be enrolled in the last year of the Ph.D. program.
2. Have an excellent command of English, both written and verbal. 
3. Possess strong quantitative and analytical skills. 
4. Be under the age of 32 by the closing of the application period.

BENEFITS

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Fellows are eligible to receive consultant fees and round-trip economy-class air travel to Washington, D.C. or a WBG country office. 

Find more information on the OFFICIAL WEBSITE