Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship 2026

If you're an accomplished African mid‑career professional with a Master’s degree and 7–10 years of high-impact experience, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship 2026 may be your next defining opportunity. This elite 12‑month programme places three talented Africans within the executive offices of major organizations like the African Development Bank, UNECA, or ITC, offering unmatched exposure to strategic policy design and international leadership.

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🎓 Fellowship Summary

• Host Institutions:

  • African Development Bank, Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire)

  • United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)

  • International Trade Centre, Geneva (Switzerland)

• Target Group: Mid‑career professionals from African countries, aged under 40 (≤45 for women with children)

• Required Qualifications: Master’s degree + minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience

• Fellowship Duration: 12 months, full‑time placement embedded in executive operations

• Stipend: USD 100,000 for living and professional expenses

• Host-Specific Criteria: Additional requirements may apply per institution; check individual host descriptors

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🧩 Fellowship Structure

The Leadership Fellowship aims to develop the next generation of African leaders through immersive mentorship and capacity-building:

• Strategic Projects & Policy Design: Work directly with senior management and contribute to high-level policy initiatives aligned with host mandates (e.g. AfDB’s high‑priority "High 5" agenda, trade facilitation strategies, or regional development reforms)

• Mentorship & Networking: Receive direct mentorship from the heads of host institutions and join the Now Generation Network (NGN)—a pan-African alumni community of emerging leaders

• Professional Growth: Gain training in leadership, project management, policy analysis, data interpretation, institutional strategy, and global governance

• Visibility & Influence: Exposure to multilayered decision-making processes and the opportunity to contribute substantively to Africa’s development discourse

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🌍 Eligible Countries

Open to nationals from all African countries, whether residing on the continent or abroad. This includes—but is not limited to—countries like Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Rwanda, South Africa, Egypt, and many others across the continent

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Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following:

• Citizenship: Must be a legal national of an African country

• Education: Hold at least a Master’s degree in fields relevant to governance, economics, finance, trade, international development or social sciences

• Experience: At least 7 years of impactful professional experience, preferably in leadership, policy, trade, finance, or development

• Age Limit: Under 40 (or under 45 if female with dependent children)

• Skills: Proven leadership, research & analytical capacity, project management, policy formulation, and strategic communication

• Host Criteria: Must also fulfill any additional criteria specified by the chosen host institution

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📝 Application Procedure

• Application Window: Typically opens in late 2025, following annual cycle (2025 deadline was in November)

• Submission Method: Apply directly through the online portal of your preferred host institution (AfDB, ITC, or UNECA).

• Required Documents:

  • Comprehensive CV

  • Academic transcripts

  • Three letters of recommendation

  • Responses to leadership and motivation questions

• Selection Process: Host institutional HR conducts initial review; shortlisted candidates submitted to Mo Ibrahim Foundation; final selection by host senior leadership

✨ Why the Fellowship Matters

• Strategic Access: Work at the heart of pan-African policy-making institutions, contributing directly to initiatives shaping the continent’s future

• Leadership Development: Participate in bespoke training and mentorship pushing you toward the forefront of African governance

• Global Network: Become a member of the Now Generation Network, connecting mission-driven leaders across sectors

• Legacy Impact: Return from the fellowship empowered to influence governance and development in your home country

📆 Timeline (Projected for 2026)

• Applications Open: Likely September–October 2025

• Deadline: Estimated November 2025

• Host Interviews & Shortlisting: Late 2025

• Fellowship Start: January–February 2026

• Duration: 12 months

🔗 OFFICIAL LINK

Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship 2026

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