Are you a PhD candidate or a recent graduate from Sub-Saharan Africa with a passion for development and policy work? The World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program 2026 is now accepting applications! This prestigious fellowship offers a fully funded six-month placement for talented young Africans to gain firsthand experience in development work at the World Bank.
Read on for all the key information you need to apply for the World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program 2026.
To be eligible for this opportunity, applicants must:
- Be a national of a Sub-Saharan African country
- Be age 32 or below by the application deadline
- Be currently enrolled in a PhD program (final year) or have completed a PhD within the last three years
- Possess strong quantitative and analytical skills
- Demonstrate excellent written and spoken English communication skills
Fellowship Focus and Responsibilities
The program is designed to immerse fellows in real-time development operations across World Bank departments. Selected fellows will:
- Contribute to research, policy design, technical assistance, and lending operations
- Gain exposure to country-level program implementation
- Receive mentorship from senior experts at the World Bank Group
- Engage in high-level work on poverty reduction and sustainable development
Benefits and Compensation
Selected fellows will receive:
- A consultant-level stipend
- Round-trip economy-class airfare to the duty station
- A six-month placement that may lead to longer-term opportunities at the World Bank or other international organizations
Selection Process
- Initial Screening: Applications are reviewed for eligibility and quality.
- Shortlisting & Matching: Shortlisted candidates are matched to relevant departments based on academic expertise and professional background.
- Final Selection: Candidates are selected by departmental leads and offers are issued before the start of the program in January 2026.
Alumni Outcomes and Impact
Since its inception in 2013, the Africa Fellowship Program has welcomed hundreds of scholars. In 2025, over 3,000 applications were submitted and 26 fellows (54% women) from 15 African countries were selected. Alumni have successfully transitioned to impactful roles within:
- The World Bank and other multilateral institutions
- African governments and ministries
- Global think tanks and top academic institutions
