Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships 2027: $100,000 Stipend for Africans

Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships 2027: $100,000 Stipend for African Professionals to Work with Leading International Institutions

Published: 9 November 2026

Title: Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships 2027

Organisation: Mo Ibrahim Foundation

Category: Fellowship / Leadership Programme

Country / Region: Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia and Switzerland

Locations: Abidjan, Addis Ababa and Geneva

Duration: 12 Months

Funding: US$100,000 Stipend

Number of Fellows: 3 African professionals

Deadline: 20 November 2026

Official URL: https://mo.ibrahim.foundation/fellowships

Open to Nationalities: Citizens of African countries

About the Fellowship

Applications are now open for the 2027 Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships, an initiative of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation designed to develop the next generation of outstanding African leaders.

The programme offers three exceptional African professionals an opportunity to gain practical experience working within the executive offices of three major regional and international institutions.

Selected fellows will spend 12 months working with one of the following organisations:

1. African Development Bank Group (AfDB) – Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
2. United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
3. International Trade Centre (ITC) – Geneva, Switzerland.

The fellowship provides participants with first-hand exposure to institutional leadership, policy development, strategic planning and decision-making at senior levels.

During the programme, fellows will contribute to research, policy work and strategic initiatives while receiving direct mentorship from the heads of their respective host institutions.

The initiative was established in 2011 to help prepare talented Africans for leadership positions and enable them to contribute meaningfully to the continent's development.

Fellowship Benefits

Successful candidates will receive a range of professional and financial benefits, including:

• US$100,000 stipend for the 12-month fellowship.
• Opportunity to work with leading international and regional institutions.
• Direct mentorship from senior institutional leaders.
• Practical experience in leadership, governance and policy development.
• Exposure to international development programmes and decision-making processes.
• Opportunities to build professional networks across different countries and institutions.
• Membership of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation's Now Generation Network (NGN) after completing the fellowship.

The stipend is provided to support fellows throughout the programme.

Host Institutions and Locations

The three fellowship placements are based in different international institutions.

1. African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

Location: Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

The AfDB fellowship provides an opportunity to contribute to strategic initiatives supporting Africa's economic and social development.

The 2027 placement particularly focuses on development priorities such as resource mobilisation, financial architecture reform, demographic growth and climate-resilient infrastructure.

Official Application: https://www.afdb.org/en/vacancy/2027-mo-ibrahim-foundation-leadership-fellowship-program-96407

2. United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The UNECA fellowship offers exposure to regional development policies, economic research and initiatives aimed at strengthening Africa's economic transformation.

Application Information: Available through the official Mo Ibrahim Foundation fellowship page.

3. International Trade Centre (ITC)

Location: Geneva, Switzerland.

The ITC fellowship provides experience in international trade, economic development and initiatives that support businesses and developing economies.

Application Information: Available through the official Mo Ibrahim Foundation fellowship page.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the 2027 Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships, applicants must generally meet the following requirements:

• Be a citizen of an African country.
• Hold at least a master's degree from a recognised university.
• Have a minimum of seven years of relevant professional work experience.
• Be under 40 years of age, or under 45 for women with children.
• Demonstrate strong leadership abilities and professional achievements.
• Have relevant experience in their chosen field.
• Possess excellent communication, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.

Applicants should note that each host institution may have additional eligibility requirements depending on the specific fellowship position.

For example, the African Development Bank's 2027 placement specifies relevant academic backgrounds and professional experience related to its development priorities.

Who Should Apply?

The fellowship is particularly suitable for:

• Young African professionals seeking international leadership experience.
• Mid-career professionals interested in public policy and economic development.
• Professionals working in governance, finance, economics and international development.
• Individuals with experience in strategic planning and project management.
• African professionals interested in contributing to the continent's long-term development.

This is not a conventional university scholarship. It is a professional fellowship designed for experienced graduates who want to develop their leadership capacity through practical work in international institutions.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the documents requested by their chosen host institution.

These may include:

• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Academic certificates and transcripts.
• Evidence of relevant professional experience.
• Letters of recommendation.
• Other supporting documents specified in the vacancy announcement.

For the African Development Bank placement, applicants are required to submit a comprehensive CV containing their date of birth, nationality, education and relevant work experience, together with academic transcripts and three letters of recommendation.

Check the individual vacancy announcements for the exact documentation requirements.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted directly through the recruitment platforms of the participating institutions.

Follow these steps:

1. Visit the official Mo Ibrahim Foundation fellowship website.
2. Review the three participating institutions and their respective fellowship opportunities.
3. Choose your preferred institution and location.
4. Read the specific vacancy announcement and eligibility requirements.
5. Prepare your CV, academic documents and other required supporting materials.
6. Complete the online application through the selected institution's official recruitment portal.
7. Submit your application before the deadline.

Applicants should ensure they meet both the general fellowship requirements and the additional requirements of their chosen institution.

Official Fellowship Website: https://mo.ibrahim.foundation/fellowships

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the 2027 Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships is 20 November 2026.

Interested African professionals are encouraged to begin their applications early and ensure that all required documents are submitted before the closing date.

Important Notice

The Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships are highly competitive, and only three fellows are selected each year.

Applicants should carefully review the requirements of their preferred host institution before applying.

Applications should only be submitted through the official recruitment platforms linked by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.

Take advantage of this opportunity to gain international leadership experience, expand your professional network and contribute to Africa's development.