How Nigerians can apply for World Bank’s 2027 Africa fellowship in US

The World Bank has launched the 2027 Africa Fellowship Programme, inviting young African researchers to spend six months working in its Washington, D.C. headquarters or selected country offices. The initiative targets Ph.D. candidates and recent Ph.D. graduates from Sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular emphasis on encouraging women to apply.

Successful participants will engage in development research, economic policy, technical assistance, and lending operations, contributing to the World Bank's mission of poverty reduction and shared prosperity. To apply, candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria, including being nationals of a Sub-Saharan African country, being in the final year of a Ph.D. programme or having completed a Ph.D. within the last three years, being 32 years old or younger by January 1, 2027, demonstrating strong English language skills, and possessing excellent quantitative and analytical abilities.

Interested candidates must prepare an updated CV, provide proof of Ph.D. enrolment or completion, submit a motivation statement detailing their research interests and alignment with the World Bank's work, provide referee details, and include research publications or samples where applicable. The application process involves visiting the World Bank Africa Fellowship application portal, creating an account, completing the online application form, uploading the required documents, and submitting the application before the August 25, 2026 deadline.

The recruitment process consists of two phases, with the first phase involving shortlisting based on applicants' areas of specialisation, followed by final selection by various World Bank units. If selected, candidates will be hired as World Bank consultants for a six-month term starting in January 2027.