Switzerland’s Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships 2027 — US$100,000 Award Announced

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation’s Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships 2027 are open to experienced African professionals ready to contribute to development policy, trade and institutional strategy. The programme offers a US$100,000 stipend for 12 months, with placements at AfDB in Côte d’Ivoire, ECA in Ethiopia or ITC in Switzerland.

Working alongside an institution’s senior leadership gives you a chance to connect your professional experience with decisions affecting Africa’s development. But choosing a host matters: eligibility details, family-support terms and submission methods differ. This guide helps you identify the right fit and prepare the application that your chosen institution actually requires.

Who qualifies for the Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships?

You need African nationality, a relevant master’s degree and at least seven years of relevant professional experience. These are professional placements for experienced applicants, rather than funding to begin a master’s degree.

The Foundation specifies under 40, or under 45 for women with children. ECA measures age on the application deadline; ITC measures it when you apply. AfDB instead describes limits of 40 and 45. Applicants exactly at those limits should obtain clarification from AfDB before relying on its different wording.

AfDB excludes government officials, active military personnel, political party leaders, current or former Bank staff and close relatives of active or non-active staff, including parents and siblings. ECA excludes UN Secretariat/ECA employees. Check these restrictions before investing time in references.

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Which host matches your professional experience?

Choose the institution where your work provides convincing evidence of fit. A relevant postgraduate qualification matters, but the responsibilities should also connect with problems you already understand.

I would build your case around one genuine example of research, policy or strategy work: explain the problem, your contribution and what changed. Specific evidence is more useful than describing yourself as a passionate leader.

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What does the US$100,000 stipend cover?

The US$100,000 is annual fellowship support, with host-specific contractual terms. AfDB and ECA describe monthly payments. These placements do not confer ordinary staff benefits.

ECA fellows arrange their own medical insurance, children’s education and retirement provision; AfDB excludes fellows from its corresponding staff schemes. ITC provides no dependant allowances or assistance with family work/residence permits, and no UN pension participation. I would budget those commitments before treating the headline amount as entirely disposable income.

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Which ECA submission mistake should you avoid?

The free document review tool can help you request feedback on your CV or motivation draft. This is optional preparation; keep working toward the deadline while awaiting feedback.

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How to submit through each host’s application route

Applications go to the host institution. The Foundation’s shared eligibility page does not replace any host submission.

1. Select your host. Read the Foundation’s 2027 fellowship call and match your evidence to the institutional route below.
2. AfDB: Apply through the AfDB vacancy portal. Attach a CV showing birth date, nationality, education and experience, academic transcripts and three recommendation letters. Declare the nationality under which you apply and provide the requested government-issued ID. Recruitment is free.
3. ECA: Follow the ECA application instructions to create an Inspira Administrative Profile with its motivation statement. Prepare PDFs of that profile, relevant postgraduate degree certificates and three references. Address references to the “2027 ECA Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellow Selection Committee”. Complete the survey linked in the instructions and save its confirmation as a PDF. Send the complete package to [email protected], with subject “ECA 2027 Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship (Applicant Last Name, First Name)”. Use English or French.
4. ITC: Apply online to UN Careers opening 285022, completing the linked Inspira application and required evidence. Review everything before submission: later amendments are not accepted. ITC charges no recruitment fee.
5. Keep confirmation. ECA acknowledges receipt within one week. Shortlisted applicants may face further assessment; ITC specifies a possible exercise and competency-based interview.

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Questions before you apply

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Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships 2027 deadlines

ECA: 23:59 Addis Ababa time (UTC+3). ITC: 23:59 New York time (EST, UTC−5). AfDB: the notice specifies the date without a closing time. Submit early rather than borrowing another host’s cutoff.

ITC’s fellowship is scheduled to start in June 2027. For now, choose your host, request the correct references and complete its submission route.

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