Call for Applications: Fully funded Africa Infrastructure Fellowship Program 2025

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Closing Date: Not Specified

Call for Applications: Fully funded Africa Infrastructure Fellowship Program 2025

Overview

Launched during the Davos forum in 2018, the Africa Infrastructure Fellowship Program (AIFP) is a capacity-building initiative driven by the Global Infrastructure Hub, Meridiam, and the World Economic Forum, designed to support African governments in developing sustainable and resilient infrastructure projects.

It is the first true infrastructure public-private partnership (PPP) program dedicated to the training of senior civil servants involved in the procurement of large and complex infrastructure projects in Africa, and which engaged governments, leading academic institutions and the private sector players.

Building Africa’s Greatest Network Of Practitioners

The AIFP is looking for infrastructure practitioners from African governments, with at least 3 years of experience in infrastructure development projects or PPP in their countries. Fellows will take part in a unique training initiative with other African civil servants in Paris, France. They will share experiences and learning from PPP experts at one of the leading academic institutes in the world, Ecole des Ponts ParisTech.

Organized in English, the intensive coursework in infrastructure procurement is coupled with a placement in a private sector company and/or a development bank’s infrastructure team. Moreover, the fellows have the opportunity to demonstrate to their peers that their abilities are aligned with international PPP best practices by earning the APMG Certification CP3P.

Application details

The AIFP fellows are selected after a three-stage recruitment process :

Application file;
Pre-recorded personal statement;
Live interview with members of the Foundation.

Core elements of the Africa Infrastructure Fellowship Program

Academic training to understand the role of private sector investment in infrastructure, introduction to tools including Infrastructure Prioritisation Framework, PPP Selection, Project Preparation, PPP Risk Allocation, PPP Contract Management and the Legal aspects of PPP
Case studies and workshops delivered by public and private partners
Preparation and exam taking for the APMG Public-Private Partnerships Certification Program, led by the World Bank : – foundation level, – preparation level
2 weeks of immersion in a development bank, an investment firm, utility or operator, asset manager, or private bank
On-site visits and side events with key people
Attending infra events like the Paris InfraWeek or the Climate Finance Day

A model built on true collaboration

The AIFP will provide participating civil servants with tailored training by academic experts and infrastructure professionals, as well as give them an opportunity to undertake ‘hands-on’ learning in a private sector Sponsor Organization.

They will also join a network of practitioners across Africa and globally, to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, insight, technical expertise and on-the-ground experience between infrastructure market participants, in both the public and private sectors.

A Hassle-Free Process

The AIFP facilitates the legal agreement and logistical support to manage the risks associated with a program of this nature.

Clear and equitable selection criteria and nomination/application processes for fellows:

Working for the public sector in an African country,
Minimum of 3 years practical infrastructure or PPP work experience,
Candidates must obtain the endorsement of their organizations,
Reasonable command of English,
Diversity of participants (gender, institutions…),
A moral commitment to serve the public sector for a minimum of two years after the training,
One cohort of up to 20 participants per year.

This program is free for the fellows. Transport, food, and accommodation expenses are covered.

Shape your career

AIFP fellows will graduate with a deep understanding of procurement, governance and private sector’s role in infrastructure projects. This knowledge will enable you to create better and more sustainable infrastructure, from the strategic planning phase to operations and maintenance, in rapidly growing African countries. You will also get access to the AIFP Alumni Network to stay in contact and share the best practices and advice with the other practitioners