African Development Bank Young Professionals Program (AfDB YPP) 2027

About the role

The African Development Bank Young Professionals Program is a fast-track entry path into the Bank for early-career African professionals. Selected YPs join Abidjan headquarters (or designated regional hubs in Pretoria, Tunis, or Yaoundé) for a three-year structured rotation across Bank departments before integration into a regular AfDB role. Around 20 to 25 YPs per cohort. Application deadline 31 July 2026 for the 2027 intake.

Responsibilities

• Three years of structured rotations across at least three AfDB departments (Agriculture, Energy, Infrastructure, Macroeconomics, Education, Health, Climate, or Private Sector).
• Contribute to project preparation, supervision, and policy analysis on African development projects.
• Travel up to 40 percent of time to AfDB regional member countries for field missions.
• Co-author AfDB analytical reports and country strategy papers.
• Transition into a regular AfDB position at the end of the YP rotation.

Requirements

• Master’s degree (or higher) in economics, finance, public policy, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, education, public health, or a closely related field.
• Citizen of an AfDB regional member country (any African country) OR a non-regional member country.
• Aged 32 or younger as of 31 December 2026.
• At least two years of relevant professional experience.
• Fluent English or French (both strongly preferred). Working knowledge of Arabic or Portuguese is a plus for relevant country portfolios.
• Strong analytical, quantitative, and writing skills.

Nice to have

• PhD in a relevant field.
• Prior AfDB, World Bank, IMF, or major-development-NGO experience.
• Experience working in or with African countries beyond your own.
• Publication record in development economics or applied policy work.

How to apply

Open the AfDB Young Professionals portal at the apply link. Complete the online application: CV, motivation essay, three writing samples, two references, and supporting documents (transcripts, language certificates). Submit by 31 July 2026. Shortlisted candidates progress through written assessments and panel interviews in September-November 2026. Final YPs are announced in February 2027 for September 2027 intake at Abidjan.