About this opportunity
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship Programme identifies and mentors a new generation of outstanding African leaders. Each year three fellows are selected to spend 12 months working inside the executive office of one of three host organisations: the African Development Bank in Abidjan, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, or the International Trade Centre in Geneva.
Fellows gain technical and leadership experience while contributing directly to research and policy design at institutions that shape the continent's development. Each fellow receives direct mentorship from the head of the host organisation and joins the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Now Generation Network afterwards, a community of young African leaders who keep contributing their skills to building a better Africa.
The call asks for African nationals with a Master's degree and at least seven years of relevant work experience. Applicants should be under 40 years old, and women with children may be considered up to age 45. Each host organisation may add its own requirements, so applicants should read the posting of their preferred host carefully.
Applicants apply through the portal of the host organisation they choose. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation fellowship page links the full details and application routes for the African Development Bank, the International Trade Centre and UNECA. For the UNECA posting, the confirmed
Application timeline
is Friday November 20, 2026 at 11:59 pm (23:59) Addis Ababa time, GMT plus 3, and late or incomplete submissions are not considered. If you target the AfDB or ITC host, check your host portal for its exact closing date.
What you receive
- A 12 month fellowship in the executive office of the African Development Bank (Abidjan), the UNECA (Addis Ababa) or the International Trade Centre (Geneva)
- A stated stipend of up to USD 100,000 for the fellowship
- Direct mentorship from the head of the host organisation
- Hands on contribution to research and policy design in an international environment
- Technical and leadership experience across one of Africa's key multilateral institutions
- Membership of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Now Generation Network after the fellowship
Who can apply
- Be a national of an African country
- Hold a Master's degree
- Have at least seven years of relevant work experience
- Be under 40 years old on the application deadline date
- Women with children may be eligible up to 45 years old
- Meet any additional requirements specified by the chosen host organisation
Who should not apply
- Applicants must not be employees of the United Nations Secretariat or the UNECA when applying to the UNECA host
Documents to prepare
- Application documents as specified by the chosen host organisation in its vacancy or programme posting
- Proof of nationality, education and work experience as required during the host's recruitment process
How to apply
- Review the requirements of your preferred host organisation: the African Development Bank, the International Trade Centre or the UNECA
- Prepare your application in the format your chosen host requires, since each host publishes its own instructions
- Apply through the host's application portal. The links for all three hosts are on the official fellowship page at https://mo.ibrahim.foundation/fellowships
- Submit well before the closing date. For the UNECA host this is Friday November 20, 2026 at 11:59 pm Addis Ababa time, and late or incomplete submissions will not be considered
Selection process
- Each host organisation runs its own recruitment process against the published requirements
- Three fellows are selected each year across the three host placements
- The UNECA posting states that late and incomplete submissions are rejected without exceptions
Sources and verification
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Questions applicants ask
Where can the fellowship be hosted?
In the executive office of one of three hosts: the African Development Bank in Abidjan, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, or the International Trade Centre in Geneva.
Is there an age limit?
Applicants should be under 40 on the application deadline date. Women with children may be considered up to age 45.
When does the fellowship close?
For the UNECA host, applications close on Friday November 20, 2026 at 11:59 pm (23:59) Addis Ababa time, GMT plus 3. Applicants choosing the AfDB or ITC host should confirm the closing date on their host portal.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
