African Development Bank 2027 Internship Programme (Session 1)

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by Impactpool

Published on: 9 October 2026

Deadline: 12 October 2026. The African Development Bank (AfDB) has opened applications for Session 1 of its 2027 Internship Programme. Applications opened on 28 September 2026 and stay open for just 15 days, so if you are eligible, now is the time to act.

 

About the programme

The AfDB, founded in 1964, is the leading pan-African development institution, with 81 member states, 54 of them in Africa. Its internship programme is part of a wider talent management framework supporting the Bank's Ten-Year Strategy (2023-2032).

The programme has two aims: to give students real professional experience at the Bank and to build a pool of potential future candidates. The Bank is clear that an internship should not be expected to lead directly to employment and selection is competitive and based on the Bank's business needs.

 

Key details at a glance

  • Start date: January 2027

  • Duration: 3 to 6 months. An internship can be undertaken only once.

  • Location: Headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire or one of the Bank's regional and country offices. Depending on the hiring unit's needs, internships may be done on-site or remotely.

  • Support: Medical insurance paid by the Bank and a monthly stipend for eligible interns. The Bank will make reasonable efforts to help with entry and residence visas.

  • Costs: On-site interns cover their own travel to and from the duty station and their living expenses. Remote interns need their own computer, a reliable internet connection and a suitable place to work.

 

Who can apply

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be a national of one of the AfDB's member countries (the list covers African countries and a number of non-regional members).

  • Be of legal age in your country and no older than 30 when the internship begins.

  • Be currently enrolled in a master's-level programme or have obtained your degree within the past year.

  • Provide a letter from your university confirming enrolment or a copy of your degree.

  • Be fluent in English or French, the Bank's working languages.

  • Be comfortable with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. Knowledge of SAP is a plus.

Special consideration goes to students whose projects relate directly to the Bank's mission.

 

Fields of study

The Bank recruits interns across its job families, including:

  • Agriculture, sustainability, natural resource management and engineering

  • Economics, finance, investment, risk management and statistics and data management

  • Human capital, human resources and capacity development

  • Governance, corporate governance and advisory functions

  • Procurement, operations management and programming, and delivery and performance monitoring

  • Information management technology and knowledge management

  • Legal, communication, and translation and interpretation

  • Real estate management and services

Other fields may also be considered if the Bank finds them relevant to its operations.

 

How to apply

  1. Check that you meet every eligibility requirement above.

  2. Prepare a concise, up-to-date CV and your proof of enrolment or degree.

  3. Submit a complete online application through the AfDB's recruitment portal (external candidates use the external applicant link on the official vacancy page). Only complete applications with a CV attached will be considered.

  4. Upload government-issued ID, such as a passport or national ID. Note that the Bank does not accept dual nationality, so you must declare the single nationality you wish to be considered under.

If you hit technical problems, email the Bank's HR Direct team with a precise description and a screenshot. The contact address is on the official vacancy page.

 

Good to know

  • Never pay to apply. The AfDB states that it does not ask for payments or bank account details at any stage of recruitment, and it is not responsible for fraudulent job offers using its name. Apply only through the official AfDB site.

  • Women are encouraged to apply. The Bank is an equal opportunities employer and strongly encourages female candidates.

  • Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

 

Tips for a strong application

  • Apply early. With a 15-day window, technical issues are much easier to fix if you do not wait for the last day.

  • Align your CV with the Bank's strategic priorities, such as climate-resilient infrastructure, financing for development and economic opportunity for young people.

  • If your thesis or project relates to the Bank's mission, say so clearly.

  • Keep your CV concise and make sure your university letter is current.

 

Apply now