Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships 2027 for Emerging African Leaders

The Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships, run by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, place emerging African leaders inside the executive offices of major regional and international institutions for a full year. Only three Fellows are chosen each year, which makes this one of the most selective leadership placements open to Africans.

Where Fellows work

Each Fellow is based at one of three institutions: the African Development Bank Group in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire; the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; or the International Trade Centre in Geneva, Switzerland. Fellows contribute to research and policy work in their host organisation and receive direct mentorship from its head. After the placement they join the Now Generation Network, the foundation's community of young African leaders.

Who should apply

The fellowship is open to nationals of all African countries and is aimed at professionals rather than students. Past Fellows have worked on economic development, trade, governance and international policy, so a track record in one of those areas is the natural fit. The announcement does not list age or experience limits, so read the detailed criteria on the official page before you start writing.

Deadline

Applications for the 2027 cohort close on 20 November 2026. With three places across the whole continent, the strongest files explain precisely which institution suits the applicant's experience and what they would take back to their own country after twelve months inside it.