Mo Ibrahim Foundation 2027 Leadership Scholarship Program

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is opening, as part of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation’s Leadership Scholarship Program, an opportunity for a young African professional or executive wishing to strengthen his leadership skills and contribute to the governance and development of his country. The recipient of the scholarship for 2027 will receive an annual stipend paid in monthly installments by the Bank. He/She may be required to travel at the request of the Bank.

Terms and duration of the contract

All official mission expenses of the trainee, including travel insurance, excluding travel and shipping costs related to taking up office and repatriation, will be borne by the Bank. The successful recipient will sign a contract with the Bank prior to entering into service.

During the term of his/her contract with the Bank, the scholarship recipient shall, for all purposes and in all respects related to his/her activities and conduct, comply with the Staff Regulations and Rules of the Bank. During his/her assignment to the Bank, only the Bank, and not the Foundation, will have the right to give guidance and direction to the scholarship recipient on his/her performance or conduct.

The scholarship recipient is not a regular employee of the Bank and has no guarantee of employment at the Bank. The Bank has no obligation to recruit him/her and there is no presumption of future employment with the Bank at the end of the contract concluded under the twelve (12) month scholarship programme. The recipient of the scholarship cannot claim to be recruited as a staff member of the Bank for a period of one (1) year from the end of his/her program at the Bank or the expiry date of his/her 12-month scholarship contract, whichever is earlier.

The recipient of the award does not benefit from benefits provided by the Bank in respect of education allowances for children of its staff, nor from the medical insurance plan or the Staff Retirement Plan of the Bank. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation will ensure that the trainee makes his/her own arrangements to secure medical coverage, support for his/her children's education costs and a retirement pension. Travel and shipping expenses upon taking office and repatriation at the end of the service will be covered with funds provided by the Foundation.

Education and qualifications

For more information about the Foundation and the Programme, please visit the home page.

Responsibilities

The recipient of the Foundation Fellowship will receive leadership guidance from the President, Executive Directors General, Head of Personnel and Chief of Staff to the President and/or a designated representative. With this guidance, he/she will participate in the design and implementation of strategic tasks that will strengthen and improve his/her professional and leadership skills, with a view to making a contribution to the governance and development of his/her country. It will also have the following responsibilities:

Design, develop and assist in implementing innovative approaches on various strategic issues important to the Bank’s mission and objectives, based on international best practices; undertake, as appropriate, research and analysis of existing and emerging areas relevant to the Bank’s strategies, programs and policies; assist in monitoring and analyzing the implementation of the Bank Group’s various initiatives as well as of the Bank’s regular work programme.

Main duties

Participate in high-level discussions and contribute to the preparation of meetings and missions of the President; carry out any other duties assigned by relevant senior officials of the Office of the President.

Experience and selection criteria

In selecting the Mo Ibrahim recipient for 2027, the focus will be on the Four Cardinal Points, namely: (i) mobilizing large-scale resources to finance Africa’s development; (ii) reforming Africa’s financial architecture; (iii) leveraging the demographic dividend to drive economic growth; and (iv) building climate-resilient infrastructure and creating greater added value from natural resources.

Essential skills include proven work experience in the private sector and strong analytical capabilities in development policy and strategy, as well as the ability to execute development models.

The scholarship is aimed at young professionals and executives, in mid-career and early career and/or new leaders. Candidates must:

Be a national of an African country, regardless of their country of residence in the world; not to be an active, non-active, retired or terminated staff member of the Bank; not to be a close relative of an active or non-active staff member, including his/her mother, father, sister or brother; government officials, active military personnel and leaders of political parties international development or any other discipline relevant to the activities of the Bank.

Required skills

Have relevant and proven work experience, strong communication skills, proven leadership abilities and teamwork skills; have at least 7 (seven) years of professional experience relevant to the Bank's activities; have proven leadership and consulting skills; demonstrate experience in strategic planning, project management and execution; have experience in formulating policies and developing and analyzing financial skills and procedures;

Submission of applications

Interested applicants must submit a complete application online on the Bank’s home page. Applications must be submitted online by 20 November 2026. Only the files of candidates who have provided a complete file accompanied by a curriculum vitae indicating date of birth, nationality and containing detailed information on relevant training and experience will be examined. Applicants must also attach their transcripts as well as three letters of recommendation.

The Human Resources Department of the Bank will make a preliminary selection of applications to establish a shortlist of ten (10) dossiers that will then be reviewed by the Foundation. A shortlist of three (3) applications will be submitted to the President of the Bank, or his representative, for final selection. Only candidates who have met all the requirements of the position and who have been selected for interviews will be

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