JOBS

Applications are now open for the 2025 African Development Bank Group (AfDB) Young Professionals Program

Ednah Carrick September 11, 2025

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Closing Date: 30 September 2025

Applications are now open for the 2025 African Development Bank Group (AfDB) Young Professionals Program

Overview

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) Young Professionals Program (YPP) is a flagship talent acquisition, development, and management initiative aimed at building a pipeline of future experts for the Bank. The program targets exceptional, high-potential young professionals who are passionate about Africa’s development and are ready to contribute meaningfully to the Bank’s mission.

Designed as a three-year leadership development opportunity, the YPP offers a unique platform for qualified individuals from AfDB member countries to gain hands-on experience, rotate across different departments, and prepare for impactful careers in development. It combines rigorous professional development with exposure to the Bank’s strategic operations and policy advisory work

What awaits you

The Young Professionals Program (YPP) offers you a three- year platform (36 months) to build an exceptional and fulfilling career in the Bank. There is a structure Young Professionals (YP) Learning Academy that is integral to the Program. Partnerships with experts from within the Bank and recognized institutions support the delivery of learning packs. The Learning Academy also includes on-the- job- training supported by coaches, mentors and buddies. On boarding and orientation programs ensure faster integration into the Bank’s culture.

Mandatory three rotational placements across the Bank’s various functions for the three years of the Program. These rotations immerse you into different functional areas of the Bank where you will have hands-on experience in projects and various work assignments. The Bank commits to create an environment that will enable the unleashing of each YP’s innovation and creativity. Individual performance and potential will be reviewed periodically and the necessary personal development plans customized to individual needs. Only YPs who have successfully completed the YP Academy, the three mandatory rotations and have exhibited high performance and high potential will be integrated into the Bank’s workforce

Eligibility

To join the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) Young Professionals Program, you should:

Be a citizen of a member country of the Bank (https://www.afdb.org/en/about-us/corporate-information/members).
Be 32 years of age by the date of application.
Possess a master’s degree or equivalent in any discipline that is relevant to the business of the Bank, with outstanding academic credentials.
Have at least 3 years’ work experience in areas related to the Bank’s high priority areas (Hi-5s).
Demonstrable hands-on experience on the African continent and/or in other continent’s developing countries is a necessary requirement.
Have a passion for Africa’s development.
Able to leverage knowledge, share and coach others. Work effectively in teams with displayed high adaptability to a diverse environment.
Proven teamwork, negotiation, client orientation, communication, strategic perspective, leadership and project management skills.
Strong analytical skills, entrepreneurial drive, results-orientation and problem-solving capability.
High business acumen and innovative mindset.
Be proficient in the Bank’s working languages, either English and/or French.
Have skills that enable you work in a digital environment and embrace technology as it evolves.
Be able to use the Bank’s standard software packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access); knowledge of SAP is desirable
Be willing to live in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire the Bank’s Headquarters, and any other country in Africa where the Bank may require your services.
Ability to travel continentally when required.

Your Impact

As a Young Professional, you will work on programs that cover the continent and be at the forefront of exciting Bank initiatives that are shaping Africa’s future. The program will prepare you to be a development professional with a notable impact. The program prepares Young Professionals as the future talents for the Bank.