World Bank opens 2027 Africa Fellowship applications for young researchers

The World Bank Group has opened applications for its 2027 Africa Fellowship Programme, providing a six-month opportunity for young African researchers to work at its Washington D.C. headquarters or selected country offices. The program, which runs from July 15 to August 25, 2026, specifically targets Ph.D. candidates and recent Ph.D. graduates from Sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular emphasis on encouraging women to apply.

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Selected participants will gain hands-on experience in development research, economic policy, technical assistance and lending operations while contributing to the World Bank’s mission of reducing poverty and promoting shared prosperity.

Selected participants will immerse themselves in development research, economic policy, technical assistance, and lending operations. This hands-on experience is designed to contribute directly to the World Bank's core mission of reducing poverty and fostering shared prosperity across the continent. The institution highlighted that fellows will collaborate with World Bank experts on critical projects, including research, policy design, and knowledge generation.

To be eligible, applicants must be nationals of a Sub-Saharan African country, be in the final year of their Ph.D. or have completed it within the last three years, and be 32 years old or younger by January 1, 2027. Strong written and spoken English skills, along with robust quantitative and analytical abilities, are also required. The application process involves submitting a CV, proof of Ph.D. status, a motivation statement, and referee details, with applications submitted through the World Bank's Africa Fellowship portal.

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The institution said successful applicants would work alongside World Bank experts on research, policy design, knowledge generation and development projects.

The recruitment process occurs in two phases, with initial shortlisting based on specialization, followed by final selection by World Bank units. Successful candidates will be hired as consultants for the six-month period, commencing in January 2027. The World Bank noted that the fellowship has a proven track record of developing African professionals who later contribute to international organizations, governments, think tanks, and academia.

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The programme has helped build a pipeline of African development professionals who have gone on to work in international organisations, African governments, think tanks and academia.