$100,000 Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation places three African professionals each year in the executive offices of the African Development Bank in Abidjan, the UN Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa and the International Trade Centre in Geneva. Fellows spend 12 months working on research, policy and strategy under the direct mentorship of the head of their host organisation, with a stipend of $100,000. Each host runs its own application, so you apply to the institution you want to join.

What you get:

• A stipend of $100,000 for the 12 month fellowship, funded by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation
• Direct mentorship from the head of your host organisation
• Travel to take up the post and to return home at the end, paid by the Foundation (ECA terms)
• An invitation to the Foundation's annual Forum
• Membership of the Foundation's Now Generation Network after the fellowship

What you'll do:

• Work in the executive office of the AfDB, ECA or ITC for 12 months
• Contribute to strategic assignments, research and policy design for the host institution
• At ITC, work on trade development, small business and public private partnership strategy and prepare briefing notes for high level discussions
• At ECA, advise on strategic initiatives and support the Executive Secretary's office

Key dates:

• Applications opened September 21, 2026 at ECA and ITC
• ECA applications close November 20, 2026 at 23:59 Addis Ababa time
• ITC applications close November 20, 2026 at 23:59 New York time
• The ITC fellowship runs for one year from June 2027

More information:

• Each host runs its own application; links to all three are on the Foundation's fellowships page
• ECA applications go by email with a UN Administrative Profile, degree certificates, three reference letters and a completed survey
• ITC applications go through the UN careers portal, Inspira
• The fellowship is not a staff appointment at the host institution

• Nationality of an African country; you can live anywhere in the world
• Under 40 years old on the application deadline, or under 45 for women with children
• At least 7 years of relevant work experience
• A master's degree or higher in a relevant field such as economics, development, business, law or international relations
• ECA: fluency in English or French, and you must not be a UN Secretariat or ECA employee
• ITC: English required, French or Spanish desirable
• Any additional criteria set by the host institution