Do you want to work beside the head of a major African institution? The Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship 2027 places you in the executive office of the African Development Bank or the UN Economic Commission for Africa or the International Trade Centre. The fellowship lasts 12 months. You receive a stipend of 100000 US dollars.
Only 3 fellows are chosen each year. Applications close on 20 November 2026. You apply through your chosen host and not through the Foundation.
The rules are strict. You need a master’s degree and 7 years of relevant work experience. You must also meet the age limit. Read every section below before you apply.
Last Information Checked: 25 October 2026
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships 2027 |
| Funder | Mo Ibrahim Foundation |
| Length | 12 months |
| Stipend | 100000 US dollars |
| Fellows each year | 3 |
| Host organisations | AfDB in Abidjan and UNECA in Addis Ababa and ITC in Geneva |
| Who can apply | African nationals with a master’s degree and 7 years of experience |
| Age limit | Under 40 or under 45 for women with children |
| How to apply | Through the website of your chosen host |
| Deadline | 20 November 2026 (time zone not stated) |
| Start date | Not stated |
About the Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation started these fellowships in 2011. The aim is to find and mentor the next generation of African leaders. This is not a classroom course. It is a work placement inside the office of a top institution.
Fellows gain technical skills and leadership skills. They also contribute to research and policy design. A special feature is direct mentorship from the head of the host organisation.
After the fellowship, you join the Now Generation Network (NGN). Fellows use this network to keep contributing to Africa’s development. The 2026 group was announced with fellows from Morocco and Lesotho and Rwanda. This shows the programme draws talent from across the continent.
Where Fellows Work
| Host organisation | Location |
|---|---|
| African Development Bank (AfDB) | Abidjan Côte d’Ivoire |
| United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) | Addis Ababa Ethiopia |
| International Trade Centre (ITC) | Geneva Switzerland |
Each host adds its own details.
- AfDB: The vacancy uses position number 50100504. The fellow takes leadership guidance from the President and the Senior Vice President and the Chief of Staff and Director of Cabinet or a named representative.
- ITC: The listing says the fellow gets mentorship from the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director.
- UNECA: The programme page and a separate application details file explain the rules.
Hosts can add their own criteria. Read the vacancy of your host before you plan anything.
Fellowship Benefits
- A stipend of 100000 US dollars for the 12 month fellowship
- A placement in the executive office of AfDB or UNECA or ITC
- Direct mentorship from the head of the host organisation
- Hands on work in research and policy design
- Growth in technical and leadership skills
- Membership of the Now Generation Network after the fellowship
- At AfDB the vacancy says the Foundation will ensure the fellow has medical insurance and child education and retirement plan arrangements
Who Can Apply
The Foundation says the fellowships suit young professionals and mid career professionals and new executives. You must meet all of these rules.
- You are a national of an African country
- You hold a master’s degree
- You have at least 7 years of relevant work experience
- You are under 40 years old or under 45 if you are a woman with children
- You meet any extra rule set by your host
You should apply if:
- You have led projects or teams and can show clear results
- You want to work close to top decision makers in development and trade
- You are ready to work for 12 months in Abidjan or Addis Ababa or Geneva
You should skip if:
- You are over the age limit
- You have fewer than 7 years of relevant experience
- You do not hold a master’s degree
- You are not a national of an African country
How To Apply Step By Step
- Choose one host. Your options are AfDB or UNECA or ITC.
- Read the Foundation page on the Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships.
- Open the page of your host.
- AfDB: vacancy page
- ITC: UN careers portal
- UNECA: programme page and the application details file
- Check the extra rules and the documents your host asks for. The Foundation does not give one shared list.
- Prepare your documents and follow the instructions on the host site.
- Submit your application before 20 November 2026.
Mistakes To Avoid
- Looking for one central form. The Foundation sends you to the host websites
- Skipping the extra rules set by your host
- Ignoring the age limit
- Counting experience that is not relevant to the work
- Planning to join the AfDB as staff right after. The vacancy says a fellow cannot be recruited as AfDB staff for one year after the fellowship
- Assuming you can apply to more than one host. The Foundation page does not say
- Waiting for the last day when the time zone is not stated
Key Dates
- 21 September 2026: AfDB and ITC adverts posted
- 24 October 2026: Date this article was last checked
- 20 November 2026: Applications close (time zone not stated)
- Selection date: not stated
- Fellowship start date: not stated