Internship Opportunity: African Development Bank (AfDB) - Session 1, 2026

Internship Opportunity: African Development Bank (AfDB) – Session 1, 2026

Organization: African Development Bank Group (AfDB) Program: 2026 Internship Program (Session 1) Location: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (Headquarters), Regional Offices, or Remote Duration: 3 to 6 Months Start Date: January 16, 2026 Application Deadline: 14 November 2025

Table of Contents

Program Overview

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is the premier pan-African development finance institution. Its mission is to fight poverty and improve living conditions on the continent through promoting the investment of public and private capital in projects and programs that are likely to contribute to the economic and social development of the region.

The 2026 Internship Program is a strategic talent development initiative. It is designed to deepen the Bank’s efforts to advance development within its regional member countries (RMC) through capacity building. For young professionals, this is a gateway to the world of international development finance. You will work alongside some of the brightest minds in Africa, gaining technical skills and exposure to high-level policy dialogue.

Session 1 Intake: This specific recruitment drive is for interns who will commence their service in January 2026.

Strategic Focus Areas

To stand out, applicants should align their skills with the Bank’s current Ten-Year Strategy and its “High 5” priorities. The Bank is specifically looking for interns with academic backgrounds in:

Power, Energy, Climate & Green Growth
Agriculture, Human & Social Development
Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialization
Economics & Statistics
Governance & Knowledge Management
Finance, Legal, & Human Resources
Communication, External Relations & Gender

Internship Objectives

The program is built on three core pillars:

Global Exposure: To provide students with the opportunity to acquire and develop the ability to work in a multicultural, international environment.
Talent Pipeline: To provide the Bank with a pool of potential candidates for future recruitment (many interns go on to become consultants or Young Professionals).
Visibility: To enhance the visibility of the Bank and its development activities among the youth of Africa.

Eligibility Criteria

The AfDB internship is highly competitive. Applicants must meet the following strict requirements at the time of application:

1. Age Requirement:

You must be 30 years old or younger by 31 December 2025.

2. Academic Status:

You must hold a Bachelor’s degree.
Current Students: You must be currently enrolled in a Master’s degree program in a recognized public or private institution of higher learning.
Recent Graduates: You can apply if you have obtained your Master’s degree within the last one (1) year.

3. Citizenship:

You must be a citizen of a Bank Member Country. (This includes all 54 African countries and non-regional members like the USA, France, China, etc.).

4. Language Skills:

You must communicate effectively (written and oral) in English or French. A working knowledge of the other language is a significant advantage.

5. Technical Skills:

Adaptability to multicultural settings.
Proficiency in standard software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Knowledge of SAP is desirable.

Program Benefits

Unlike many unpaid international internships, the AfDB values its interns and provides the following support:

Monthly Stipend: Eligible interns will receive a monthly stipend to assist with living expenses.
Medical Coverage: Interns receive medical insurance paid by the Bank for the duration of their internship.
Visa Assistance: The Bank will use reasonable efforts to assist interns in obtaining entry and residence visas for Côte d’Ivoire or the host country.
Mission Travel: Interns may be authorized to participate in official Bank missions, offering rare field experience.

Note: Interns responsible for their own air travel to/from the Bank’s location and their own housing upkeep, though the stipend helps offset this.

Educational Guide: How to Write a Winning AfDB Application

Applying to the AfDB is different from applying to a corporate job. Here is how to tailor your application for success:

1. The Motivation Letter Strategy

Your cover letter should not just list your grades. It must connect your academic focus to the Bank’s mission.

Tip: Mention the “High 5s” (Light up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa).
Example: “My Master’s research in renewable energy financing directly aligns with the Bank’s ‘Light up and Power Africa’ agenda…”

2. The CV Format

Keep it Short: The requirement is a maximum of two pages. Do not exceed this.
Focus on Impact: Instead of just listing duties, list results. (e.g., “Assisted in a research project that influenced local government policy on water usage”).

3. Strategic Timelines

The application window is very short (Oct 31 – Nov 14). Do not wait until the last day. The system often slows down due to high traffic.
Notification: All applicants will receive email notification of the outcome by 14 December 2025.

Required Documents

You must upload the following mandatory documents. Missing any of these will lead to automatic disqualification:

Curriculum Vitae (CV): Max 2 pages (Word or PDF).
Academic Proof: Copy of Master’s enrollment certificate OR Master’s Degree certificate.
Letter of Motivation.

How to Apply

Application Deadline: 14 November 2025 Selection Cycle: Session 1 (Starts Jan 2026)

To submit your application, please visit the official AfDB Careers portal below.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY