The Africa regions of the World Bank Group (WBG) has announced 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.
To be considered, you must be a Ph.D. candidate or recent graduate (within three years of Ph.D. completion) from Sub-Saharan Africa. See full eligibility criteria below.
If accepted, you 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.
Applications for this fellowship can be submitted here
WBG Africa Fellowship Program
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 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.
Applications for this fellowship can be submitted here
Eligibility Criteria
- Be a recent Ph.D. graduate (within three years of completion) or be enrolled in the last year of the Ph.D. program.
- 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.
How to Apply
Applications for this fellowship can be submitted here
Selection Process
Phase I: A short-list 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.
Application Deadline: August 25, 2026
