The Africa regions of the World Bank Group (WBG) announce the opening of the application period for the 2027 WBG Africa Fellowship Program for Ph.D. candidates and recent Ph.D. graduates who are Sub-Saharan Africa nationals. Women are encouraged to apply. Through the fellowship, we aim to build the capacity of the next generation of African scholars in development research, policymaking and promote the goals of reducing poverty in the region.
To be considered, you must be a Ph.D. candidate or recent graduate (within three years of Ph.D. completion) from Sub-Saharan Africa. See full eligibility criteria below.
If accepted, you will:
- spend six months getting hands-on experience at WBG headquarters in Washington D.C. or a country office.
- work on research, economic policy, technical assistance, and lending operations that contribute to the WBG’s goal of eliminating poverty and increasing shared prosperity.
ABOUT THE WBG AFRICA FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The program targets young talented African nationals who are completing or have recently completed their Ph.D. in an area relevant to the World Bank’s work. The fellowship program has been very successful since its inception in building a strong pipeline of young African talent interested in a career in development, in international institutions, African governments, think tanks, and academia.
The program offers selected fellows a six-month assignment at WBG offices in Washington, D.C. or in country offices to gain hands-on experience in WBG operations. This includes knowledge generation and dissemination, design of global and country policies, and the building of institutions to achieve inclusive growth in developing countries. While benefitting from research and innovation in multiple sectors, fellows will also work on research, economic policy, technical assistance, and lending operations that contribute to the World Bank’s goal of eliminating poverty and increasing shared prosperity.
FULL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- Be a recent Ph.D. graduate (within three years of completion) or be enrolled in the last year of the Ph.D. program.
- Have an excellent command of English, both written and verbal.
- Possess strong quantitative and analytical skills.
- Be of the age of 32 or younger by January 1, 2027.
SELECTION PROCESS
Phase I: A short-list of candidates will be made available for selection to different units of the WBG depending on the applicants’ specialization. Only shortlisted applicants will be notified.
Phase II:
The final list of fellows will be selected in consultation with the various units of the WBG. When the selection is complete, all shortlisted candidates will be informed of their selection status. Selected candidates will then be notified and, upon acceptance, be hired as World Bank consultants for six months starting January 2027.
Click here to apply for the WBG Africa Fellowship Program: Apply Now
Application Launch: July 15, 2026
Application Deadline: August 25, 2026
