Applications are now open for the fully funded 2027 World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program

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Closing Date: 25 August 2026

Applications are now open for the fully funded 2027 World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program

The Africa regions of the World Bank Group (WBG) announce the opening of the application period for the 2027 World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program for Ph.D. candidates and recent Ph.D. graduates who are Sub-Saharan Africa nationals. Women are encouraged to apply. Through the fellowship, WBG aims to build the capacity of the next generation of African scholars in development research, policymaking and promote the goals of reducing poverty in the region.

To be considered, you must be a Ph.D. candidate or recent graduate (within three years of Ph.D. completion) from Sub-Saharan Africa.

If accepted, you will:

spend six months getting hands-on experience at WBG headquarters in Washington D.C. or a country office.
work on research, economic policy, technical assistance, and lending operations that contribute to the WBG’s goal of eliminating poverty and increasing shared prosperity.

About the WBG Africa Fellowship Program

Launched in 2013, the World Bank Group (WBG) Africa Fellowship Program offers a six-month WBG assignment to young and emerging African scholars who are completing or have recently completed their PhDs in an area relevant to the work of the World Bank. While gaining hands-on experience in the operations of the organization, the Fellows benefit from and contribute to research and innovation in multiple sectors. The Fellowship program has been very successful since its inception, building a strong pipeline of young African scholars and practitioners in international institutions, African governments, think tanks, and academia. The program is managed by the Chief Economist Office of the Africa Region.

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 in 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.

Full Eligibility Criteria

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 of the age of 32 or younger by January 1, 2027.

Selection Process

Phase I: A short-list of candidates will be made available for selection to different units of the WBG depending on the applicants’ specialization. Only shortlisted applicants will be notified.

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 Extended Term Consultants (ETCs) for six months starting January 2027.

Where the fellows work

Matching of Fellows within units is carried out by teams across the WBG. This year’s placements include units in the IFC and the Development Research Group; Global Practices—Health, Nutrition & Population; Institutions; Financial Management & Public Sector; Gender; Policy & Regulation; Poverty & Equity; Agriculture & Food; Economic Policy; Urban, Resilience & Land; and
Fiscal Policy & Growth; Country Management Units in DRC and Equatorial Guinea; as well as regional teams in Latin America and the Caribbean (Water GP) and in MENAPP.