The Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship Programme is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious opportunities for young African leaders. The fellowship prepares the next generation of outstanding African professionals by offering unique, senior-level work placements.
The core mission of the fellowship is to enable talented individuals to increase and enhance their professional capacity, with the ultimate goal of contributing meaningfully to the governance and development of their home countries. This programme is central to creating a necessary pipeline of future African leaders committed to strengthening institutions across the continent.
The Foundation, established in 2006, operates under the core belief that great leadership and good governance are the keys to Africa’s progress. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation (MIF) works on several fronts: stimulating debate on good governance, setting criteria so citizens and governments can measure progress, recognising achievement in African leadership, and supporting aspiring leaders through initiatives such as the fellowship.
The MIF fully finances the costs associated with the Leadership Fellowship position in the host institutions. The vision is to integrate these future leaders into a powerful network that sustains engagement long after the 12-month placement ends.
Upon completion of the programme, fellows would immediately become a member of the Now Generation Network (NGN). This pan-African alumni community is a vital platform where emerging leaders continue to contribute their skills and insights toward building a better Africa.
Focus Areas and Duties
A successful applicant must demonstrate clear alignment with the strategic objectives of the host institution they choose. These roles are about shaping strategy and driving high-level policy implementation.
Duties at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
The UNECA placement, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, focuses on delivering ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa. This mission is guided by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. The Fellow is directly mentored by the Executive Secretary of ECA and/or a designated Representative in the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES).
Specific duties involve high-level policy work:
Advising on and developing strategic initiatives to advance ECA’s mission and objectives.
Conceiving, developing, and promoting innovations in ECA’s development policies. This includes helping Africa meet its special needs.
Plan, develop, and implement strategies for promoting regional integration.
Contributing to the analytical, advocacy, and policy advisory work of the Commission. This involves advocating Africa’s position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.
Supporting the programmatic and administrative functions of OES, including reviewing reports and financial statements to determine progress toward objectives.
Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary Claver Gatete noted that the Commission appreciates the programme for empowering young leaders, especially because many African nations navigate difficult trade-offs related to high indebtedness, rising climate change impacts, and limited fiscal space.
Duties at the African Development Bank (AfDB)
The AfDB Fellow is based at the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The Fellow takes leadership guidance from the President, the Senior Vice President, the Chief of Staff and Director of Cabinet, and/or a designated Representative.
The selection priority for the AfDB is heavily weighted toward the Bank’s strategic pillars, known as the High 5 areas. If you’re applying here, you must speak the language of these five pillars:
Lighting up and powering Africa.
Feeding Africa.
Industrialising Africa.
Integrating Africa.
Improving the quality of life for the people of Africa.
The role involves contributing to the design and implementation of strategic assignments.
Duties include:
Designing, developing and helping the implementation of innovative approaches to various strategic issues of importance to the Bank’s mission, based on international best practice.
Undertaking research and analysis of existing and emerging strategy, programmes and policy areas relevant for the Bank.
Participating in high-level discussions and contribute to the preparation of the President’s meetings and missions.
Duties at the International Trade Centre (ITC)
The ITC Fellow is based in Geneva, Switzerland. The ITC placement focuses on trade-led development for emerging economies. Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton states that the programme supports recovery through inclusive and sustainable trade and development solutions. Fellows gain invaluable exposure and develop essential leadership skills by working alongside the Executive Director and her team.
Funding/Benefits
Financial Support
The successful Ibrahim Fellow receives a highly competitive annual stipend of USD $100,000. This stipend is paid monthly by the host institution, utilising funds provided by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.
Travel and Mission Expenses
The Foundation ensures that travel related to the start and end of the assignment is covered:
The travel and shipping costs for the assumption of duty and repatriation at the end of the appointment will be borne and paid out of the funds provided by the Foundation.
All expenses related to the Fellow’s official mission travel, including travel insurance, will be provided by the host institution (ECA or AfDB).
It is critical for applicants to understand the costs that they must cover themselves. The Fellow must personally cover specific living expenses for the 12-month duration.
The Fellow shall not participate in the Bank’s child educational scheme and staff medical insurance and retirement plans.
Professional Development
Beyond the money, the professional benefits are unparalleled:
Fellows benefit from the direct mentorship of the heads of the host organisations.
The Foundation will invite the Fellow to participate in its annual Forum.
Automatic enrolment in the Now Generation Network.
Eligibility Criteria
The requirements for the Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship are strict, reflecting the high-level nature of the placement.
Nationality and Residency
You must be a national of an African country. Applicants can be residing anywhere in the world at the time of application.
Age Limits
This is a non-negotiable requirement tailored to young and mid-career professionals.
Applicants must be under the age of forty (40) on the date of the application deadline (20 November 2025 for UNECA).
Exception for Women with Children: Consideration will be given to women under the age of forty-five (45) with children on the date of the application deadline.
Education
Applicants must hold at least a master’s degree or higher from a recognised institution. Relevant disciplines include economics, social sciences, international development, business administration, law, finance, engineering, or any discipline relevant to the work of the ECA or AfDB.
Professional Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant work experience is mandatory. Applicants should be young professionals, mid-career, or new executives. Experience must demonstrate competence in specific areas:
Leadership potential and consultative skills.
Experience in strategic planning and execution/project management.
Knowledge of negotiating and change management.
Experience in formulating policy and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
Ability to communicate and interact with officials at all levels of government.
Experience in research/analytical work in a socioeconomic-related area.
Ability to work in teams and simultaneously on several assignments.
Experience in working on African issues is an advantage.
Language Requirements (UNECA Specific)
Fluency in either English or French is required, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Working knowledge of the other language is desirable. Applications must be submitted in either English or French.
Ineligibility
Applicants must not be current, retired, separated, or non-active employees of the UN Secretariat/ECA or AfDB. For the AfDB specifically, government officials, active military personnel, political party leaders, and those with close family relations (mother, father, sister, brother) to bank staff are ineligible. The AfDB Fellow shall not be eligible for recruitment as a regular staff member for one year following the termination of the Fellowship term.
Host Institutions
The Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship places three selected individuals annually in the executive offices of three major African and multilateral organisations.
Institution’s Core Focus
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia focuses on Fostering economic integration, sustainable development, and regional responses to global governance.
African Development Bank (AfDB) Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire centres on Promotion of economic growth, reducing poverty, and financing transformative development projects (The High 5s).
International Trade Centre (ITC), Geneva, Switzerland Trade-led development, centres particularly on strengthening the global competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Your choice of host institution should be a deliberate one, aligning with your existing expertise.
Duration
The Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship is awarded for a fixed period of twelve (12) months. This assignment is not a regular position of the host institution, and the contract is not renewable.
Application Process
The application process is meticulous and demands precision and attention to detail.
UNECA Application Method
The UNECA Application Method is submission by email. For the 2026 UNECA Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship Programme, all four mandatory elements must be submitted in one single email to the specified address.
The email address is RecruitmentPost@un.org Subject Line: ECA 2026 Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship (Applicant Last Name, First Name)
AfDB Application Method
For the AfDB Fellowship, interested candidates should complete the online form available at the bank’s website. Applications are only considered if they are submitted online with a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) indicating date of birth, nationality, education, and relevant experience.
Technical difficulties in submitting your application should be reported via email to HR Direct.
Evaluation and Selection
Initial Vetting and Shortlisting
The host institution’s HR department carries out an initial vetting. For the AfDB, HR develops a short list of ten (10) applicant files to be further reviewed by the Foundation.
Core Competency Assessment
Applicants are evaluated primarily based on the information provided in their Administrative Profile (AP). The selection committee assesses competencies such as strategic planning, policy formulation, negotiation skills, analytical capacity, and leadership potential. For the AfDB, the overriding priority is demonstrable top-notch professional experience aligned with the High 5 areas and strong policy analytical skills.
Final Selection
A short list of three (3) candidates will be presented to the President of the Bank (or his designate) for final selection. Due to the anticipated high volume of applicants, only finalists will be contacted, and no feedback will be given to unsuccessful applicants.
Deadline
Deadlines are strictly enforced, with no exceptions made for late or incomplete submissions.
UNECA 2026 Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship Deadline is November 20, 2025, 11:59 p.m. (23:59) Addis Ababa time (GMT +3). Application Period is September 22, 2025, to November 20, 2025.
Required Documents
Incomplete submissions will be rejected under any circumstances. For UNECA, the application must contain all four mandatory elements, attached as PDFs to the single submission email.
UN Administrative Profile (AP) in PDF Format – The AP is the primary evaluation document. It must include your cover letter/motivation statement visible on Page 1 of the PDF.
Expert Step-by-Step Guide to Creating the UN AP – Access Inspira: Go to the Inspira UN Human Resources Gateway at https://inspira.un.org/.
If you are a new user, click on “Create account here”. You must complete all mandatory fields (marked with an asterisk) and note your user ID and password.
Log in, click on the “My Applications” link, and then click “Create Draft Application”.
Fill out all seven steps of the Draft Application (Welcome, Job Requirements, Education/Languages, Experience/References, Motivation Statement, Other Information, Review/Submit). The motivation statement must be completed here.
Since there is no job opening for this fellowship in Inspira, you must save the draft AP as a PDF. Go back to “My Applications” and click on the printer icon next to your draft application under “View/Print Admin. Profile*” to save the electronic copy.
The ECA emphasises that they cannot retrieve draft/created APs from Inspira. Email submissions that do not contain a complete AP as a PDF attachment will be considered incomplete and rejected. If you are unable to generate the PDF format, you should email kassahunb@un.org for technical support well in advance.
Copies of Academic Degree Certificates
You must include scanned copies of all master’s degrees, as well as any doctorate/terminal degrees. Submission of documentation related to first-level degrees (e.g., baccalaureate) or transcripts is not required.
Three (3) Letters of Reference/Recommendation
This detail is non-negotiable and strictly procedural. Address: Letters must be addressed to the “2026 ECA Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellow Selection Committee”.
Letters must be sent from referees directly to you, the applicant.
You must include all three letters of recommendation in your final email submission to ECA.
Letters sent directly from the referee to ECA (letters not transmitted via the applicant) will NOT be considered. Applications lacking all three letters will be considered incomplete.
Screenshot of Completed Online Survey
Applicants MUST complete the online survey (link provided in application details) before submitting the email. You must save a screenshot showing the confirmation that your responses have been sent in PDF format and include it as an attachment. The responses are confidential and used for internal purposes only.
Strategies for Competitive Application
If you meet the stringent requirements and are ready to apply for funding that defines a career, here are some final strategies to ensure your application stands out:
Don’t send a generic CV. If you apply to AfDB, your motivation statement must feature the High 5s. If you choose UNECA, your focus must demonstrate how your experience addresses ECA’s strategic directions, such as developing macroeconomic policy options or advocating Africa’s position at the global level.
The fellowship seeks leaders who can manage complex strategic assignments. When detailing your experience, focus on results that showcase strategic planning and execution, formulating policy, and negotiating.
Since the letters must come through you, choose highly credible references and provide them with the role description. Instruct them to tailor their letters specifically to your policy formulation, analytical capacity, and leadership potential.
The single biggest administrative hurdle is the Inspira AP. Take the specific warning about late submissions seriously. Get your UN Administrative Profile generated and verified weeks before the November 20, 2025, deadline.
Success Stories
The true measure of the Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship isn’t the financial support; it’s the intellectual and policy impact Fellows have during and after their term.
A good example is the work of Maureen Were, a 2013 Fellow who was placed at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Her subsequent published academic research, “Differential effects of trade on economic growth and investment: A cross-country empirical investigation”, provided powerful evidence of the complexity African leaders must grasp.
Were’s research empirically examined the impact of trade on economic growth across developed, developing, and Least Developed Countries (LDCs). While trade generally has a positive and significant impact on global economic growth, her findings showed that the effect of trade on economic growth in the LDCs (which largely comprise African countries) was statistically insignificant. This suggested that the structure of trade in these nations, often relying on primary commodities with low value addition, limits growth benefits.
This is the game changer for Africa. Were’s analysis found that trade is a highly significant determinant of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) across all country categories, including LDCs. Furthermore, trade had a positive and significant impact on domestic investment in both developing countries and LDCs.
The study concluded that although direct growth effects might be lacking, trade remains a crucial avenue through which LDCs can attract FDI, adopt new technologies, improve domestic investment, and actively integrate into regional and global value chains. Understanding complex dynamics like these—where policy interventions should prioritise transforming the structure of trade and leveraging the investment channel—shows the level of strategic thinking the Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship aims to cultivate.
Official Link
For the most up-to-date and authoritative information, all prospective applicants should consult the official portals.
Mo Ibrahim Foundation: http://mo.ibrahim.foundation/fellowships.
AfDB Fellowship Online Portal: (Refer to the current link provided on the Mo Ibrahim Foundation website for the 2026 application).
Contact Information
For specific technical questions related to the UNECA application and the creation of the UN Administrative Profile (AP) PDF: UNECA Technical Support (Inspira AP): kassahunb@un.org.
For general technical difficulties concerning the AfDB online application system: AfDB HR Direct: HRDirect@AFDB.ORG.
