About the African Development Bank Established in 1964, the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is the premier pan-African development finance institution, promoting sustainable economic growth and social progress across the continent. With 81 member countries, including 54 regional member states, the Bank provides financial and technical support for transformative projects that reduce poverty and drive inclusive growth. Guided by its Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033), the Bank focuses on four “Cardinal Points” to maximize development impact: Unlock Africa’s Capital Power Rebuild Africa’s Financial Sovereignty Turn Demographics into a Dividend Build Resilient Infrastructure and Add Real Value Through these priorities, the Bank mobilizes capital, provides policy advice, and delivers technical assistance to empower its regional member countries (RMCs). About the Young Professionals Program (YPP) The Young Professionals Program (YPP) is a flagship leadership-development and talent-acceleration initiative that forms part of the Bank’s strategic Talent Management Framework. It aims to attract and nurture diverse, high-potential early-career professionals who are passionate about driving Africa’s transformation. The YPP offers selected candidates an opportunity to embark on a three-year structured professional journey, combining rotational assignments, intensive learning, mentorship, and leadership development within the AfDB. Duty Station: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (or other locations in Africa as determined by the Bank)Position Grade: PL6 | Position Number: 50067362Application Deadline: 30 November 2025 | Posting Date: 31 October 2025 Core Objectives Build a professional pipeline for the Bank’s future leadership. Develop specialized skills in sectors critical to Africa’s sustainable development. Strengthen diversity and inclusion, ensuring equitable representation across member countries. Key Features of the Program 1. Rotational Assignments Young Professionals complete three rotational placements across different Bank complexes to gain broad institutional exposure and practical experience: Rotation 1 – “Demonstrate Applied Knowledge” (Year 1) Rotation 2 – “Stretch and Learn” (Year 2) Rotation 3 – “Transition and Graduate” (9 months, including final placement) At least one rotation may occur in a Country or Regional Office, allowing YPs to experience operational realities on the ground. 2. Capacity Development Each YP participates in the Young Professionals Learning Faculty, a structured curriculum blending classroom learning, postgraduate executive programs (through partner institutions), and on-the-job training. Training components include: Onboarding and orientation sessions Leadership and management courses International certification programs The AfDB Operations Academy Immersive project assignments across functional areas 3. Mentorship and Coaching Each Young Professional is paired with experienced mentors, coaches, and peer “buddies” to support their professional and cultural integration into the Bank. 4. Graduation and Integration Upon successful completion of: the learning faculty; three rotations; the mentoring program; and demonstrated high performance and ethics— YPs will graduate into the Bank’s professional workforce at the PL5 level, marking their transition to full staff roles. Strategic Focus Areas for the 2025 Intake In alignment with the Ten-Year Strategy and Four Cardinal Points, the 2025 intake seeks candidates across disciplines that contribute to Africa’s sustainable transformation, including: Information Technology and Digitalization (AI, robotics, cybersecurity) Agriculture, Food Security, and Agribusiness Human Capital Development and Youth Employment Engineering and Infrastructure Investment and Risk Management Operations and Program Management Procurement and Performance Monitoring Financial Management and Resource Mobilization Governance, Natural Resources, and Knowledge Management Economics, Statistics, and Data Analytics Human Resources Management Corporate Services, Real Estate, and General Administration Legal, Communications, Translation, and Interpretation Eligibility Criteria To qualify for the Young Professionals Program, applicants must meet the following requirements: Nationality: Must be a citizen of one of the AfDB’s member countries. Age: 32 years or younger by 30 November 2025. Education: A Master’s degree or equivalent in a discipline relevant to the Bank’s operations, with outstanding academic performance. Experience: At least three years of post-graduate professional experience in areas aligned with the Bank’s strategic priorities. Geographical exposure: Hands-on experience in Africa or other developing regions. Skills and attributes: Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Leadership potential and results orientation. Excellent teamwork, communication, and negotiation skills. Entrepreneurial mindset and adaptability. High ethical standards and commitment to Africa’s development. Language: Proficiency in English or French, with a working knowledge of the other language preferred. Digital literacy: Ability to work effectively in a digital environment and embrace evolving technologies. Mobility: Willingness to work in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and to travel or relocate to any location where the Bank operates. Technical skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with SAP systems is an advantage. Diversity and Equal Opportunity The AfDB is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects its member countries. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. In particular, nationals from the following countries are highly encouraged to submit applications:Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Cape Verde, China, Comoros, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Finland, Ireland, Kuwait, Libya, Luxembourg, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, São Tomé & Príncipe, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, South Korea, South Sudan, Sweden, and Turkey. Terms and Conditions This is a three-year international recruitment program under AfDB’s international terms of employment. Successful candidates will be offered a competitive salary and benefits package consistent with international standards. YPs are expected to work full-time and participate in all rotations and training components. Application Process Interested applicants should submit: A concise CV highlighting education, experience, and achievements; and Any other documents specified in the online application form. Applications must be submitted online through the African Development Bank’s career portal no later than 30 November 2025. APPLY NOW Regular Staff: Apply through the internal HR platform. External Candidates: Apply via the external portal. If you experience technical difficulties, please contact HR Direct at HRDirect@afdb.org with a clear description or screenshot of the issue. Important Notices The Bank does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants must declare a single nationality for consideration. Supporting government-issued identification (passport, national ID, etc.) must be uploaded during application. The AfDB maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward fraud, bribery, and any form of discrimination. Join the African Development Bank Young Professionals Program 2025 – shape Africa’s future, lead change, and accelerate transformation across the continent. For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.