Applications are now open for the 2026 Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships (stipend of $100,000 per year)

Ednah Carrick September 24, 2025

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Closing Date: 20 November 2025

Applications are now open for the 2026 Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships (stipend of $100,000 per year)

Overview

The Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships were established in 2011 to identify and mentor the future generation of outstanding African leaders. Each year three Fellows have an opportunity to work in the executive offices of the AfDB (Abidjan), ECA (Addis Ababa) or the ITC (Geneva), with a stipend of $100,000.

During their 12-month programmes, Fellows gain both technical and leadership skills, while contributing directly to research and policy design. A special feature of the programme is the opportunity to benefit from the direct mentorship of the heads of the host organisations.

Established in 2006, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation aims to support good governance and great leadership in Africa. The Foundation works to:

Stimulate debate on good governance;
Provide criteria by which citizens and governments can measure progress;
Recognize achievement in African leadership and provide a practical way in which leaders can build positive legacies on the continent when they have left office;
Support aspiring leaders for the African continent.

The Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship Programme is a selective Fellowship that prepares the next generation of outstanding African leaders by providing them with unique work opportunities at the most senior level of prominent African institutions or multilateral organizations, whose mandate is to improve the economic and social prospects of Africa. The Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship Programme allows talented individuals to increase and enhance their professional capacity, with the intention of contributing to the governance and development of their countries thereby creating a pipeline of future African leaders. The Fellow will work with the Bank for this purpose, for a period not exceeding twelve (12) months, and the Foundation will finance the costs associated with the position on the following terms:

Fellows also become members of the Now Generation Network (NGN), through which they continue to contribute their skills and insights to building a better Africa.

Application process

Applications for the 2026 Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships are now open. Details and how to apply can be found at the following links:

Fellowships are open annually to young professionals, mid-career and new executives from Africa with relevant work experience and a master’s degree.

Eligibility criteria

The key competences are top notch professional experience in private sector and strong analytical skills in development policy and strategy and ability to run development models.

The Fellowship is for young professionals, mid-career or/and new executives. The Fellow must:

National of an African country
minimum 7 years’ of relevant work experience
Master’s degree
under the age of 40; or 45 for women with children
any additional criteria as set by the host eg from AfDB requirements include:

Have outstanding academic credentials backed by a minimum of a Master’s Degree from a recognized institution in banking, business, economics or other social sciences, finance, international development, or in any other discipline relevant to the Bank’s business;
Have relevant and demonstrable work experience, strong communication skills, demonstrated leadership skills and ability to work with others;
Have at least 7 (seven) years’ work experience relevant to the Bank’s activities;
Demonstrate proven leadership and consultative skills;
Have experience in strategic planning, project management and execution;
Have experience in formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures;
Demonstrate strong ability to analyze and interpret financial and other data;
Excellent written and oral presentation skills;
Demonstrate ability to communicate and interact with officials at all levels of government and to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community;