Mo Ibrahim Foundation
Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship 2026-2027
Edit ScholarshipGuide to the Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship 2026: $100,000 stipend for African leaders at AfDB, UNECA, and ITC. Eligibility and application.
Overview
The Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship, launched by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation in 2011, is a competitive 12-month program that identifies and develops the next generation of African leaders. Each year, three fellows are placed in the executive offices of three international institutions: the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Abidjan, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, and the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Geneva.
Fellows receive an annual stipend of USD 100,000 and work directly with senior leadership at their host institution, gaining hands-on experience in policy design, strategy development, and implementation. A key feature is direct mentorship from the heads of the host organizations, giving fellows access to institutional knowledge and leadership insight that few other programs offer.
After the fellowship, alumni join the Now Generation Network (NGN), a community of emerging African leaders who continue contributing to the continent. The fellowship targets young professionals, mid-career individuals, and new executives who are nationals of any African country, with at least seven years of professional experience and a master's degree. Applications for the 2026 cohort closed in November 2025.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Funding Body | Mo Ibrahim Foundation |
| Host Country | Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Switzerland |
| Degree Levels | Fellowship |
| Value | USD 100,000 annual stipend |
| Deadline | November 2026 |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Eligible Nationalities | Nationals of any African country |
| Official Website | https://mo.ibrahim.foundation/fellowships |
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Requirements
Applicants must hold at minimum a master's degree in a relevant field: economics, finance, international development, social sciences, public policy, law, or related disciplines. The degree must be from a recognized institution.
Nationality Requirements
Applicants must be nationals of an African country. The fellowship is open to African nationals living anywhere in the world, not only those based on the continent.
Language Requirements
Strong English and/or French proficiency is required, depending on the host institution. The AfDB operates in English and French, UNECA uses English and French, and ITC operates in English and French. Specific requirements may vary by placement.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience is required. Applicants should have strong leadership and analytical skills. The fellowship targets young professionals, mid-career individuals, and new executives.
Other Requirements
Applicants must be under 40 years of age, with an extended limit of 45 for women with children. Individual host institutions may set additional criteria specific to their placement.
Scholarship Benefits
- Annual stipend of USD 100,000 to support living expenses during the 12-month fellowship
- Placement in the executive office of a major international institution (AfDB, UNECA, or ITC)
- Direct mentorship from the heads of the host organizations
- Hands-on experience in policy design, strategy development, and implementation at senior institutional levels
- Development of technical and leadership skills through structured program activities
- Membership in the Now Generation Network (NGN), a community of emerging African leaders
- Networking with senior officials, policymakers, and development practitioners across Africa and globally
- Recognition as a Mo Ibrahim Foundation Fellow
How to Apply
- Review eligibility and select a host institution: Confirm you meet the age, nationality, education, and experience requirements. Research the three host institutions (AfDB, UNECA, ITC) and pick the placement that best fits your professional background and career goals.
- Prepare your application materials: Put together a curriculum vitae showing your date of birth, nationality, education, and relevant professional experience. Obtain copies of your academic transcripts and three letters of recommendation from professional or academic referees.
- Submit your application online: Apply through the career portal of your preferred host institution. Each institution (AfDB, UNECA, ITC) has its own online application system. Submit all supporting documents before the published deadline.
- Selection and interview process: Each host institution runs its own selection process: application review, shortlisting, and interviews. The selection evaluates leadership potential, analytical skills, professional achievements, and alignment with the institution's mandate.
- Fellowship placement and onboarding: Successful candidates are notified and begin the 12-month fellowship at their host institution. Onboarding includes orientation, introduction to senior leadership, and setup of the mentorship relationship.
Required Documents
- Curriculum vitae with date of birth, nationality, education, and experience
- Master's degree certificate and academic transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation from professional or academic referees
- Cover letter or motivation statement addressing leadership vision and career goals
- Copy of valid passport or national identity document
- Proof of nationality (for African country citizenship verification)
- Evidence of professional achievements and leadership experience
Important Dates & Deadlines
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | September annually (September 2025 for the 2026 cohort) |
| Application Deadline | November 20, 2025 (for the 2026 cohort; next cycle expected September-November 2026) |
| Results Announced | January-March of the fellowship year |
| Course Start | Fellowship begins in the first quarter of the year following selection |
Tips for a Strong Application
Personal Statement Tips
- Lay out a clear vision for how you will contribute to Africa's development after the fellowship. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation backs leaders who will return to the continent with stronger skills and a commitment to change.
- Show specific leadership achievements from your seven-plus years of experience. Quantify your impact: teams led, projects delivered, budgets managed, policies influenced.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the mandate and current priorities of your chosen host institution. Explain how your expertise aligns with the AfDB's, UNECA's, or ITC's strategic goals.
- Highlight skills in policy analysis, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. The fellowship places fellows in executive offices where these competencies are used daily.
- If you are a woman with children applying under the extended age limit (up to 45), you do not need to address this specifically. Just make sure your application shows the same caliber of achievement and potential.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying without a master's degree. The fellowship has a firm minimum of a master's from a recognized institution.
- Lacking the minimum seven years of professional experience. This program targets mid-career leaders with substantial track records, unlike fellowships for early-career professionals.
- Applying through the wrong portal. Each host institution (AfDB, UNECA, ITC) has its own application system. Apply through the correct institution's career page.
- Submitting a generic application that ignores the specific host institution. Tailor your motivation statement to the mandate and priorities of the institution you are applying to.
- Missing the age requirement. Applicants must be under 40 (or 45 for women with children). This is verified during selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Mo Ibrahim Fellowship stipend?
USD 100,000 for the 12-month fellowship period, intended to cover living expenses during the placement.
Where are fellows placed?
Three fellowships are available each year, one at each host institution: the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire; the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; and the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Geneva, Switzerland.
Can non-African nationals apply?
The fellowship is exclusively for nationals of African countries. Applicants must hold citizenship of an African nation, though they may be living anywhere in the world at the time of application.
What is the age limit?
Under 40 years of age. Women with children can apply up to age 45.
What is the minimum education requirement?
A master's degree is required. Relevant fields include economics, finance, international development, social sciences, public policy, and law.
How many years of work experience are required?
Seven years minimum of relevant professional experience. The fellowship targets mid-career individuals and new executives with demonstrated leadership and analytical skills.
Can I choose which host institution to apply to?
Applications go through the career portal of each host institution. Apply to the one whose mandate best matches your professional background and career goals.
What is the Now Generation Network?
The Now Generation Network (NGN) is the alumni community for Mo Ibrahim Foundation fellows. After the 12-month fellowship, all fellows become NGN members and continue contributing to African development.
When do applications for the next cohort open?
Applications open in September each year, with a November deadline. The 2026 cohort deadline was November 20, 2025. The 2027 cohort is expected to open in September 2026.
Does the fellowship include relocation support?
The USD 100,000 stipend is the primary financial benefit. Relocation support policies may vary by host institution. Ask your chosen institution directly during the application or onboarding process.