Application period: July 10 – August 25 (11:50pm ET)
The World Bank Group’s Africa region is now accepting applications for the 2025 WBG Africa Fellowship Program. This opportunity is open to Ph.D. students and recent graduates from Sub-Saharan Africa, with a special encouragement for female applicants. The program seeks to empower the next generation of African leaders in development research and policy, ultimately contributing to poverty reduction in the region.
Eligibility: To be eligible, you must be a current Ph.D. candidate or have graduated within the last three years, and be from Sub-Saharan Africa. Please review the full eligibility criteria below.
If Selected:
- You will spend six months gaining hands-on experience at the World Bank Group (WBG) headquarters in Washington, D.C., or at a country office. The fellowship requires you to be available in person from January to June 2025.
- You will engage in research, economic policy, technical assistance, and lending operations that support the WBG’s mission to reduce poverty and promote shared prosperity.
About the WBG Africa Fellowship Program:
The WBG Africa Fellowship Program is designed for young, talented African nationals who are either completing or have recently completed their Ph.D. in fields relevant to the World Bank’s mission. Since its inception, the program has successfully cultivated a strong pipeline of young African talent interested in pursuing careers in development, whether in international institutions, African governments, think tanks, or academia.
The program provides selected fellows with a six-month placement at World Bank Group (WBG) offices in Washington, D.C., or at country offices, where they gain practical experience in WBG operations. Fellows participate in knowledge generation and dissemination, the design of global and country-specific policies, and the strengthening of institutions to promote inclusive growth in developing countries. In addition to engaging in research and innovation across various sectors, fellows contribute to research, economic policy, technical assistance, and lending operations aligned with the World Bank’s mission to reduce poverty and enhance shared prosperity.
Full Eligibility Criteria:
- Must have recently completed a Ph.D. (within the last three years) or be in the final year of a Ph.D. program.
- Demonstrate excellent proficiency in both written and spoken English.
- Possess strong quantitative and analytical skills.
- Must be 32 years old or younger by January 2025.
Selection Process:
- Phase I: A shortlist of candidates will be created based on the applicants’ field of specialization and interest. This list will be made available to various units within the World Bank Group (WBG) for consideration. Applicants will be informed of their application status, including whether they have been shortlisted.
- Phase II: The final selection of fellows will be made in collaboration with the relevant units of the WBG. Once the selection process is complete, all shortlisted candidates will be notified of their status. Those selected will be offered a six-month position as short-term consultants starting in January 2025.
Applying for this fellowship offers an unparalleled opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the World Bank Group (WBG), a leading global institution dedicated to eradicating poverty and fostering shared prosperity. As a fellow, you will immerse yourself in cutting-edge research, policy development, and operations that directly impact the world’s most pressing development challenges. This program is a unique platform to apply your academic expertise in a practical, high-impact setting, while also expanding your professional network with top-tier experts and peers. The experience will significantly enhance your skills in economic analysis, policy design, and technical assistance, making you a competitive candidate for future roles in international organizations, government, or academia. Moreover, contributing to the WBG’s mission will allow you to play a tangible role in improving lives across developing countries, aligning your career with meaningful, global impact
