Wale Ketiku

World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program

2026 World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program – Apply! The World Bank Group (WBG) Africa Region is pleased to announce the upcoming application period for the 2026 Africa Fellowship Program. This transformative initiative is designed for Ph.D. candidates and recent Ph.D. graduates from Sub-Saharan Africa, with a strong encouragement for women to apply. The fellowship provides a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in international development and contribute meaningfully to global efforts to eliminate poverty and increase shared prosperity. Since its inception in 2013, the program has cultivated a pipeline of exceptional African scholars who have gone on to shape policy, research, and practice across the continent and globally. In 2025 alone, over 3,000 candidates applied, with 26 fellows selected, 54% of whom were women. These fellows hailed from 15 African countries and joined departments across the WBG, including the Development Research Group, Climate Finance Mobilization, Health, Nutrition & Population, and more. What the Fellowship OffersSelected fellows will spend six months (January–June 2026) at WBG headquarters in Washington, D.C., or at a country office, contributing to: Research and data analysisEconomic policy and lending operationsTechnical assistanceKnowledge generation and disseminationFellows will also benefit from access to leading development experts, global networks, and mentorship from WBG professionals. Eligibility CriteriaTo qualify for the program, applicants must: Be a Sub-Saharan Africa nationalBe under 32 years old by the close of applicationsBe enrolled in a Ph.D. program (final year) or have completed a Ph.D. within the last 3 yearsHave an excellent command of EnglishPossess strong quantitative and analytical skillsSelection ProcessShortlisting: Candidates are reviewed and matched with suitable WBG units based on their areas of expertise.Final Selection: After unit consultations, finalists are offered six-month consultancy positions starting January 2026.Fellows receive consultant compensation and round-trip economy airfare to their duty station. Impact of the FellowshipAlumni of the Africa Fellowship Program have joined the World Bank Group as consultants, young professionals, and economists. Others have gone on to impactful roles at the IMF, African universities, and global think tanks. The program’s success lies not just in skill development but in the real-world contributions fellows make during their assignments. Apply and Lead the ChangeIf you’re a young African scholar ready to influence development policy and practice, this is your chance. Join a growing network of changemakers shaping Africa’s future—one research insight, one policy brief, one impactful project at a time. 🟩 Applications for the 2026 WBG Africa Fellowship Program open HERE soon. Learn about the 2025 WBG-Africa Fellows

World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program Read More »

Introducing Our New Youth Forum: A Platform for Indigenous Innovation and Empowerment

Introducing Our New Youth Forum: A Platform for Indigenous Innovation and Empowerment We are excited to announce the official addition of the AIKRN Youth Forum to our website — a dynamic new space dedicated to amplifying the voices and innovations of Indigenous youth across Africa. The Youth Forum envisions a continent where young people reclaim, transform, and lead with African Indigenous Knowledge. It aims to mobilize 20,000 Indigenous young women and men to co-create knowledge-led enterprises, promote cultural identity, and build solutions for inclusive and ecological development. With a strong leadership team and a mission rooted in research, advocacy, and intergenerational dialogue, the Forum serves as a platform for youth-led research, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and collaboration. It connects youth with experienced researchers to foster indigenous innovation and create access to dignified jobs. Explore the Youth Forum now and meet the passionate leaders shaping Africa’s knowledge revolution

Introducing Our New Youth Forum: A Platform for Indigenous Innovation and Empowerment Read More »

The Continuation of the Revolutionary African Woman

The Continuation of the Revolutionary African Woman. We are grateful to share this CFP that we have been working from the heart and with honor of African women at its center — The Continuation of the Revolutionary African Woman. This Special Issue of Siyabonana: The Journal of Africana Studies calls for scholarship, stories and poetry, essays, interviews, etc. about and from our global African women storytellers. We imagine a collection that encourages us to consider her epistemologies, and the way she shares them out through the diverse and expansive ways she tells stories and passes on her knowledge.   We hope that you consider submitting and sharing with others. See the deadlines, details, and contacts below. The CFP is linked here and attached.    Abstracts Due: May 31, 2025 Notification of Acceptance: June 30, 2025 Completed Submissions Due: September 30, 2025 Publication: February/March (Winter 2026)   All abstracts and submissions should be uploaded to the submissions page on the journal website at https://www.journalofafricanastudies.com/submissions.

The Continuation of the Revolutionary African Woman Read More »

Shopping Cart