The Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships
The Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships form a selective programme designed to mentor future African leaders. Through this annual fellowship programme, we seek to deepen and broaden our growing network which continues to contribute its skills and learning to a better Africa.
The Fellowships offer the opportunity to work in the executive offices of either the AfDB (Abidjan), ECA (Addis Ababa) or the ITC (Geneva) with an annual stipend of $100,000.
2020 Fellows
Meet the current Ibrahim Fellows:
Fellowship Institutions
The International Trade Centre
"Today more than ever, developing countries face significant challenges, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the devastating health and economic consequences, the crisis provides an opportunity to build back better and bolder. The Mo Ibrahim Fellowship programme offers bright young Africans the chance to support recovery through inclusive and sustainable trade and development solutions. In addition to deepening technical knowledge, the programme provides invaluable exposure and an opportunity to develop essential leadership skills by working alongside the Executive Director, and her team. The unique experience equips Fellows with the expertise and confidence to make a meaningful contribution towards Africa’s growth."
- Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director, ITC
African Development Bank
“The next generation of African leaders will be those who transform Africa. The Mo Ibrahim Fellows have been chosen to learn and develop their leadership potential to make their contribution to the transformation. We are happy to welcome our fifth Fellow for the 2017 Programme, who we expect to assist our efforts to create sustainable jobs for millions of young Africans entering the labour market each year.”
-Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank
ECA
“The Mo Ibrahim Fellowship programme offers bright young minds from Africa the opportunity to work on real life issues that confront African nations and societies and also to develop as transformative leaders in their own right.
At ECA, the young Fellows have worked closely with the leadership of the Commission to support countries design and implement policies in response to ongoing challenges and aspirations of the member states.”
-Vera Songwe, Under Secretary-General and Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
Ibrahim Scholarships
The Ibrahim Scholarships support aspiring African leaders at a number of distinguished academic institutions. The scholarships develop the talent of outstanding young Africans in selected disciplines.
Application process
Applications for the 2021 stream have now closed.
Please note that due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 African Development Bank (AfDB) Fellowship has been deferred to 2021, therefore this institution did not recruit a new Fellow for 2021.
Eligibility criteria
- National of an African country
- 7-10 years of relevant work experience
- Master’s degree
- under the age of 40, or 45 for women with children
- any additional criteria as set by the host.