🌍 AfDB Young Professionals Program (YPP): A Pathway to Leadership in Africa’s Development

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📌 Important Note:
Applications for the 2025/2026 AfDB Young Professionals Program intake will be announced soon. Interested candidates are encouraged to prepare their documents in advance and monitor the Bank’s official website and career channels for updates.

Introduction

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has launched its Young Professionals Program (YPP) – a flagship talent acquisition and development initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of African and global leaders.

The three-year program is a unique opportunity for exceptional young professionals from AfDB member countries to gain hands-on experience, leadership training, and exposure to high-level development work across Africa.

About the African Development Bank (AfDB)

Established in 1964, the African Development Bank Group is the premier pan-African development finance institution, dedicated to economic growth, social progress, and poverty reduction.

The Group consists of three entities:

AfDB – lending for sovereign and non-sovereign operations
ADF – concessional financing for low-income countries
NTF – a fund established by Nigeria to support low-income African nations

With 81 member countries (54 African and 27 non-regional), AfDB leads transformative projects aligned with its Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033) and the High 5 priorities:

Light up and power Africa
Feed Africa
Industrialize Africa
Integrate Africa
Improve the quality of life for the people of Africa

Background and Context

The AfDB YPP is designed as a three-year leadership development program that blends technical exposure, policy advisory, and cross-departmental rotations.

Key Features:

Duration: 3 years (automatic promotion from PL6 to PL5 upon completion)
Rotations: Three mandatory placements across different AfDB complexes:
- Year 1: Applied Knowledge & Experience
- Year 2: Stretch & Learn
- Year 3: Transition Phase + graduation in final division
Support System: Coaching, mentoring, buddy-system, and a YPP coordination team
Learning Academy: Continuous technical and leadership training with top experts

The program plays a strategic role in preparing future leaders to deliver on AfDB’s High 5s and broader development agenda.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

Be nationals of AfDB member countries
Hold at least a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields
Possess 3 years (or more) of professional experience in development, finance, economics, engineering, agriculture, climate, governance, or other priority areas
Demonstrate leadership potential, innovation, and passion for Africa’s development
Be 35 years old or younger at the time of application

Benefits of Participation

Successful candidates will:

Receive a competitive salary and benefits package at PL6 level
Gain rotational exposure to diverse Bank operations and strategies
Access structured leadership and technical training through the YP Learning Academy
Be supported by mentors, coaches, and peer networks
Secure an automatic promotion to a PL5 position upon successful completion
Build a career with impact in one of Africa’s most prestigious development institutions