World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program 2027 – Fully Funded for Ph.D. Students & Recent Graduates – Applications Are Now Open

Application Deadline: August 25, 2026

About the Fellowship

Applications are now open for the 2027 World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program. 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. 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.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows 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
• Gain exposure to WBG operations, including knowledge generation and dissemination, design of global and country policies, and institution building
• Build a strong foundation for a career in development, international institutions, African governments, think tanks, and academia

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a recent Ph.D. graduate (within three years of completion) or be enrolled in the last year of the Ph.D. program
• Be a national of a Sub-Saharan African country
• 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 shortlist 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 Extended Term Consultants (ETCs) for six months starting January 2027.

Why This Fellowship Matters

The World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program builds the capacity of the next generation of African scholars in development research and policymaking. Since its inception, the program has successfully built a strong pipeline of young African talent interested in careers in development, international institutions, African governments, think tanks, and academia.

For Ph.D. candidates and recent Ph.D. graduates from Sub-Saharan Africa who are 32 or younger, this fellowship offers:

• A six-month fully funded assignment at WBG headquarters in Washington D.C. or a country office
• Hands-on experience in research, economic policy, technical assistance, and lending operations
• Exposure to WBG operations and the opportunity to contribute to the goal of eliminating poverty
• A pathway to a career in international development

How to Apply

Application Link: Click here

For More Information: Visit the Official World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program Page