African Development Bank Opens Applications for 2025 Young Professionals Program (YPP)

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has opened applications for its 2025 Young Professionals Program (YPP) — a three-year, diversity-focused talent development initiative that prepares exceptional young Africans for leadership roles in development finance and policy. Candidates aged 32 or below, holding a master’s degree and at least three years of relevant work experience, are encouraged to apply before 30 November 2025.

Posting Date: 31 Oct 2025  Closing Date: 30 Nov 2025
Position Grade: PL6  Position Number: 50067362
Location: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire or any other location in Africa as determined by the Bank

The Bank

Established in 1964, the African Development Bank Group is the premier pan-African development institution, with 81 member states (including 54 Regional Member Countries in Africa). The Bank’s development agenda is to deliver financial and technical support for transformative projects that reduce poverty and foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the continent.
Under its Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033), the Bank has defined four “Cardinal Points” to accelerate impact:

1. Unlock Africa’s Capital Power

2. Rebuild Africa’s Financial Sovereignty

3. Turn Demographics into a Dividend

4. Build Resilient Infrastructure, Add Real Value

To achieve this, the Bank mobilises and allocates resources for investment in RMCs and provides policy advice and technical assistance for development. The Young Professionals Program (YPP) sits within this strategic talent-management framework and supports the Bank’s mission.

Objective of the Young Professionals Program (YPP)

The YPP is a diversity-focused talent development initiative to build the leadership pipeline and workforce of the future for the Bank. This strategic programme is designed to:

• Develop a professional pipeline of workforce for the Bank

• Nurture potential development specialists and professional talent

• Contribute to the Bank’s diversity targets

Key Features of the Programme

The YPP targets high-potential young professionals passionate about Africa’s development. It offers exceptional career opportunities, demanding outstanding academic and professional achievement, and a desire to drive transformation across the continent.
Key components include:

• Rotations: Three placements across different complexes at the Bank (one year, one year, nine months) to build experience, stretch skills and transition into full-time roles.

• Capacity Development: Structured professional and personal development, including customised postgraduate programmes, training through the Bank’s Operations Academy, certifications, and on-the-job immersion.

• Mentorship & Coaching: Support mechanisms including mentors, coaches and buddy groups to facilitate rapid integration into the Bank’s culture.

• Graduation & Integration: Successful Young Professionals who complete the programme (rotations, learning faculty, mentorship) and demonstrate high performance will integrate into the Bank’s workforce at PL5 grade level.

Strategic Focus Areas for the 2025 Intake

The Bank is recruiting Young Professionals in disciplines aligned with the Ten-Year Strategy and the Four Cardinal Points. Priority areas include:

• Information Technology Management (Digitalisation, Robotics, AI, Cybersecurity)

• Agriculture, Human Capital & Youth Employment

• Engineering, Investment Management, Operations Management & Programming

• Procurement, Delivery & Performance Monitoring, Risk Management, Financial Management

• Resources Mobilisation, Capacity Development, Governance, Natural Resources & Knowledge Management

• Economics, Statistics & Data Management, Human Resources Management

• Real Estate & General Services Management, Translation & Interpretation, Communication, Legal, Corporate Governance & Advisory Functions

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Citizenship of a Bank member country

• 32 years or younger by 30 November 2025

• Master’s degree in a discipline relevant to the Bank’s business, with outstanding academic credentials

• At least 3 years’ postgraduate work experience in areas tied to the Bank’s strategy and Cardinal Points

• Hands-on experience on the African continent or in developing regions

• Passion for Africa’s development

• Ability to leverage knowledge, share and coach others, work in teams in a diverse environment

• Skills in teamwork, negotiation, client orientation, communication, strategic perspective, leadership, project management

• Strong analytical & reporting skills, entrepreneurial drive, results-orientation and problem-solving capability

• High business acumen and an innovative mindset

• Effective communication in English or French, and preferably working knowledge of the other language

• Ability to work in a digital environment and embrace evolving technology

• Willingness to work and live in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, or any country where the Bank may require services

• Proficiency in standard MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Practical knowledge of SAP is an advantage

• Ability to travel continentally when required

• The Bank is equal-opportunity; female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

• Nationals from: Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Cape Verde, China, Comoros, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Finland, Ireland, Kuwait, Libya, Luxembourg, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, Sao Tome & Principe, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, South Korea, South Sudan, Sweden and Turkey are particularly encouraged to apply

Term & Conditions

This is a three-year international recruitment programme, with international terms and conditions of employment.
Note: The Bank does not ask for any payment from applicants at any stage of the recruitment process, nor request bank-account information from applicants. The Bank does not accept dual nationality: you must declare the nationality you wish to be considered throughout your career if hired.

How to Apply

• External Candidates (not currently staff at the Bank) should apply via the Bank’s website.
• Current regular staff should apply through the internal portal.
• Applicants should submit a concise Curriculum Vitae (CV) and any additional documents stated in job posting.
• The application process is highly competitive: your CV will be evaluated in context of high-volume applications, so ensure you clearly map your achievements to the Bank’s eligibility criteria. Devex+3afdb.org+3DevelopmentAid+3

Why Apply?

This is a unique opportunity to:

• Launch a high-growth career in one of Africa’s leading multilateral institutions

  

• Contribute meaningfully to Africa’s transformation through the Bank’s high-impact operations

• Develop your leadership potential via structured rotations, mentoring, training and diverse experiences

• Be part of a multicultural workforce in a pan-African environment where innovation, digital evolution and results matter