World Bank Launches 2026 Fellowship Program for Emerging African Scholars

The World Bank Group Africa Region has officially opened applications for their 2026 Fellowship Program.

The WBG 2026 Fellowship initiative targets Ph.D. candidates and recent doctoral graduates from Sub-Saharan Africa to apply for the competitive opportunity, with special emphasis on women as part of the World Bank’s commitment to gender equality and inclusive development.

The WBG Africa Fellowship Program for 2026, aims at cultivating the next generation of African leaders in development research and policy formulation.

By investing in top talent from across the continent, the program aligns with the World Bank Group’s overarching mission to reduce poverty and foster shared prosperity in developing countries.

The fellowship is designed for promising Sub-Saharan African scholars who are either in the final stages of their Ph.D. studies or have completed their doctorate within the last three years.

If selected, fellows will spend six months engaged in hands-on work with the World Bank Group. Placements will be at the World Bank Group headquarters in Washington, D.C., or in one of the organization’s country offices.

The fellowship period runs from January to June 2026 and requires full in-person participation.

Fellows will actively contribute to the Bank’s operations through involvement in Research and analytical work; Economic policy development; Technical assistance initiatives and Lending and operational projects that advance sustainable development goals.

The practical exposure is intended to deepen fellows’ understanding of the complex challenges facing developing countries while sharpening their policy and analytical skills.

Since its inception, the WBG Africa Fellowship Program has served as a vital talent pipeline, equipping emerging African experts with the experience and knowledge needed to lead in diverse development contexts.

Past fellows have gone on to build impactful careers in international institutions, African governments, think tanks, and academia.

The program also contributes to the World Bank’s efforts to enhance local ownership and representation in its development agenda, ensuring that the voices and perspectives of Africans are present in shaping the policies that affect their communities.

Applicants who must be at least 32 years old are encouraged to align their areas of academic specialization with the key focus areas of the World Bank, including but not limited to economics, public policy, education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, governance, and climate change.

To be considered for the 2026 cohort, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a citizen of a Sub-Saharan African country.
• Be enrolled in a Ph.D. program or have completed a Ph.D. within the past three years.
• Be under the age of 32 at the time of application closing.
• Demonstrate proficiency in English, both written and spoken.
• Possess strong analytical and quantitative skills.

The application timeframe is between the 1st of July to the 25th of August 2025

To apply, visit the official WBG Africa Fellowship Program application page.