World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program
The World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program offers young African Ph.D. scholars hands-on research and policy experience in international development at World Bank Group offices.
Funder: World Bank Group
Due Dates: July 15, 2026 (Application opens) | August 25, 2026 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Six-month paid fellowship; consultant fees plus round-trip economy airfare to Washington, D.C. or a World Bank Group country office.
Summary: Provides young African Ph.D. graduates or final-year doctoral candidates with hands-on experience in international development through a six-month assignment at World Bank Group offices.
Key Information: Applicants must be Sub-Saharan African nationals under 32 by the application deadline.
Description
The World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program is designed to nurture young African talent by offering recent or soon-to-complete Ph.D. graduates the opportunity to gain practical experience in international development. Selected fellows undertake a six-month assignment at World Bank Group (WBG) offices in Washington, D.C. or in country offices, where they contribute to research, economic policy, technical assistance, and lending operations. The program aims to build a strong pipeline of African professionals interested in careers in development, both within international organizations and across the continent.
Fellows work closely with WBG teams on knowledge generation, policy design, and institution building to promote inclusive growth in developing countries. The experience is intended to foster professional growth and enhance the fellows’ impact in academia, governments, and development organizations.
