The Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship is open for 2027, offering African professionals a 12-month placement at one of three international institutions and a $100,000 annual stipend; applications close on 20 November 2026.
The 2027 Mo Ibrahim Fellowship is an open opportunity for nationals of African countries with a master’s degree and at least seven years of relevant experience. The programme places three Fellows in executive offices at the African Development Bank in Abidjan, the UN Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, and the International Trade Centre in Geneva, according to the Foundation fellowship page. Each host sets additional requirements, so applicants need to choose a placement before applying.
Mo Ibrahim Fellowship 2027 at a glance
- Status: Open for the 2027 programme.
- Deadline: 20 November 2026. The UN Careers vacancy closes at 11:59 p.m. New York time.
- Funding: $100,000 annual stipend; the Foundation describes a 12-month programme.
- Who can apply: Nationals of African countries with a master’s degree, at least seven years of relevant work experience and host-specific qualifications.
- Application cost: AfDB, ITC and UN recruitment pages describe fee-free applications.
- Official programme page: Foundation fellowships.
- Last checked: 3 November 2026.
What does the Mo Ibrahim Fellowship offer?
The fellowship was established in 2011 to develop African leaders through hands-on work in major institutions. Fellows spend 12 months contributing to research and policy work while gaining technical and leadership experience. The Foundation says each Fellow can receive direct mentorship from the head of the host organisation and joins its Now Generation Network after the placement.
The stipend is listed at $100,000 a year on the Foundation page. It is a professional fellowship: applicants bring their existing experience into a senior institutional setting and work on assignments linked to the host’s mandate.
Where are the 2027 Mo Ibrahim Fellowship placements?
The Foundation lists three host institutions and cities. The AfDB placement is in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; the UN Economic Commission for Africa placement is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; and the International Trade Centre placement is in Geneva, Switzerland. The 2027 announcement says Fellows work in the institutions’ executive offices.
The host choice matters because each organisation publishes its own vacancy description and selection criteria. The AfDB listing centres on development policy and strategy, while the ITC opening focuses on trade development, research and work with small and medium-sized enterprises. The Foundation page groups the host information and 2027 links in one place.
Who qualifies for the Mo Ibrahim Fellowship 2027?
The Foundation’s general criteria require applicants to be nationals of African countries, hold a master’s degree and have at least seven years of relevant work experience. Applicants must be under 40, or under 45 for women with children, and meet any extra criteria set by their chosen host.
Each vacancy adds detail. The AfDB seeks relevant experience, leadership and analytical skills, and asks for a master’s degree in fields such as banking, business, economics, finance, international development or social sciences. Its AfDB vacancy notice asks candidates to include a comprehensive CV, academic transcripts and three recommendation letters.
For the ITC placement, the UN Careers listing requires a master’s degree in economics, business, international development, international relations or a related area. English is required; French or Spanish is desirable. The listing says relevant experience in trade development, strategy, governance, research or African regional integration can strengthen an application. Applicants can review the full criteria in the ITC vacancy notice.
What will the fellowship cost, and when does it start?
The Foundation lists a $100,000 annual stipend. For the ITC placement, the UN Careers notice says the one-year fellowship is funded by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation and starts in June 2027. It describes the stipend as covering normal living expenses for one person, with separate arrangements for dependants. The ITC and AfDB pages describe fee-free applications.
Applications close on 20 November 2026 across the 2027 programme. The UN Careers page gives its closing time as 11:59 p.m. in New York on that date. The AfDB notice also gives 20 November as the closing date and says applicants should submit online.
How to apply for the Mo Ibrahim Fellowship 2027
- Read the Foundation programme page and select the host placement that matches your experience. The page lists AfDB, ITC and UNECA routes.
- For the AfDB placement, review the AfDB vacancy notice and use its external-candidate application button. Prepare your CV, transcripts and three recommendation letters.
- For the Geneva ITC placement, open the ITC vacancy notice, check the criteria, then select “Apply Now” to reach the UN application portal. The notice lists the status as open and the deadline as 20 November 2026.
- For the Addis Ababa UNECA placement, use the Foundation programme page to review the UNECA host route listed for 2027.
- Submit by 20 November through the AfDB application or ITC vacancy. The ITC listing says selection may include an assessment exercise and competency-based interview.
Mo Ibrahim Fellowship 2027: frequently asked questions
Can Nigerians apply for the Mo Ibrahim Fellowship?
Yes. Nigerians qualify by nationality because the general programme is open to nationals of African countries. Applicants also need the required degree, work experience, age eligibility and host-specific qualifications.
How much does the Mo Ibrahim Fellowship pay?
The Foundation lists an annual stipend of $100,000 for the 12-month fellowship. The ITC listing says its stipend supports one person’s normal living expenses during the placement.
What is the application deadline?
Applications for the 2027 programme close on 20 November 2026. The UN Careers vacancy specifies 11:59 p.m. New York time for its ITC application.
How many years of experience are required?
The Foundation’s general eligibility criteria require at least seven years of relevant work experience. Each host adds qualifications tied to its placement.
Where can applicants find the official application?
Start at the Foundation’s fellowship page, which lists the three 2027 host routes. AfDB applicants can use the vacancy’s external-candidate button, while ITC applicants can open the UN Careers listing and select “Apply Now”.