The African Development Bank Group has opened applications for its 2025 Young Professionals Program, a structured three-year pathway that prepares high-potential graduates for impactful careers in African development finance. Based primarily in Abidjan with possible assignments across Africa, the YPP blends rotations, formal learning, mentorship, and on-the-job delivery. Successful graduates transition into PL5 roles, joining project teams that finance infrastructure, unlock private capital, and deliver inclusive growth across the continent.
African Development Bank Young Professionals Program 2025 Quick summary table
Item |
Details |
|---|---|
Program |
African Development Bank Young Professionals Program 2025 |
Duty station |
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, with potential rotation to other AfDB duty stations |
Grade on entry |
PL6 |
Duration |
3 years with structured rotations and training |
Deadline |
November 30, 2025 |
Who can apply |
Nationals of AfDB member countries meeting age, education, and experience criteria |
Core focus |
AfDB Ten-Year Strategy and Four Cardinal Points priority areas |
Post-program outcome |
Integration at PL5 based on performance and completion |
Official site |
Why the AfDB YPP matters in 2025
AfDB Ten-Year Strategy 2024 to 2033 emphasizes four priorities that demand fresh technical talent and leadership capacity. The Bank is scaling investments that unlock private capital, rebuild financial sovereignty, convert demographics into a dividend through jobs and skills, and deliver resilient infrastructure with greater local value addition. The YPP is AfDB flagship pipeline to place emerging professionals at the center of these programs, combining policy design, project finance, and operational delivery.
About the African Development Bank
Founded in 1964, AfDB is the premier pan-African development institution with 81 member countries, including 54 regional members. The Bank provides finance and technical expertise to national governments, sub-nationals, and private clients. Its operations span sovereign and non-sovereign lending, guarantees, blended finance, advisory services, and knowledge work across energy, transport, water, agriculture, human capital, private sector development, and financial sector deepening.
What the YPP offers
Rotational assignments
- Three structured rotations across AfDB complexes such as operations, finance, research, private sector, or regional offices.
- Mix of headquarters and field exposure to understand project origination, appraisal, supervision, and completion reporting.
- Progressive responsibility from analytical support to workstream ownership.
Capacity development
- Classroom and virtual learning on development finance, project economics, risk, procurement, safeguards, and results measurement.
- Professional certification pathways with partner institutions.
- Toolkits for project appraisal, portfolio management, and country strategy execution.
Mentorship and coaching
- Assigned senior mentor, functional coach, and peer learning group.
- Regular performance conversations and personalized development goals.
Graduation and integration
- On completion of rotations and learning milestones, high performers are placed into PL5 roles aligned to Bank needs and individual strengths.
Strategic focus areas for the 2025 intake
- Digital, IT systems, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity
- Agriculture, food systems, and rural transformation
- Human capital, education, skills, and youth employment
- Engineering and resilient infrastructure across transport, energy, water, and urban systems
- Investment, treasury, blended finance, and credit risk
- Operations, portfolio, safeguards, climate, and results management
- Governance, natural resources, and knowledge management
- Economics, statistics, modeling, data analytics, and impact evaluation
- Procurement and performance monitoring
- Corporate functions including HR, legal, communications, and translation
Eligibility criteria
- Age: 32 years or younger by November 30, 2025
- Nationality: Citizen of an AfDB member country
- Education: Master degree in a field relevant to the Bank operations with strong academic standing
- Experience: Minimum three years of post-graduate experience aligned to AfDB priorities
- Skills: Analytical ability, teamwork, leadership potential, problem solving, commitment to Africa development
- Languages: Fluency in English or French with working knowledge of the other preferred
- Technical: Proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with SAP is an advantage
- Mobility: Willingness to live and work in Abidjan or other Bank duty stations
- Context: Hands-on exposure in Africa or other developing regions is highly desirable
AfDB is an equal opportunity employer. Women and candidates from underrepresented member countries are strongly encouraged to apply.
What successful candidates typically demonstrate
- Clear motivation to work in development finance and drive large scale impact
- Experience that links policy with delivery such as structuring bankable projects, de-risking investments, or building systems for results
- Evidence of leadership in cross-functional or multicultural teams
- Quantitative fluency such as financial modeling, economic analysis, or data analytics
- Communication skills for concise briefings, board notes, and stakeholder engagement
Benefits and career pathway
- International employment terms consistent with AfDB policies
- Competitive compensation and benefits package
- World class learning curriculum and mentorship
- Exposure to sovereign and non-sovereign operations, with potential for regional office assignments
- Career progression into specialist or leadership tracks following integration at PL5
How to apply: step-by-step
- Prepare a targeted CV highlighting technical skills, regional experience, and measurable outcomes.
- Draft a concise motivation letter showing how your expertise maps to AfDB priorities.
- Assemble academic transcripts and relevant certifications.
- Apply online through the AfDB careers portal and complete all profile fields.
- Track your email for assessments or interview invitations and respond promptly.
- Prepare for interviews using project examples that show your role, methods, results, and lessons learned.
Application timeline
- Applications close: November 30, 2025
- Screening and assessments: Following the deadline
- Final selections and offers: After interviews and reference checks
- Program start: To be communicated by AfDB upon offer
Proven tips to strengthen your application
- Show Africa-focused impact with data points such as funds mobilized, beneficiaries reached, or risk reduced.
- Connect your skills to the Four Cardinal Points such as capital mobilization, financial sovereignty, youth jobs, or resilient infrastructure.
- Emphasize bilingual capacity if you have working proficiency in English and French.
- Include examples of teamwork across government, private sector, and development partners.
- Demonstrate comfort with analytics, tools, and dashboards that drive decisions.
FAQs
Who can apply to the YPP?
Nationals of AfDB member countries who meet age, education, and experience requirements and can relocate to Bank duty stations.
Is French required?
Fluency in English or French is required. Working knowledge of the other language is preferred and strengthens the profile.
Will I work outside Abidjan?
Yes, rotations may include regional or country offices based on program needs.
What happens after the program?
High performers who complete all requirements are integrated into PL5 roles aligned with Bank needs.
Do I need prior development bank experience?
Not mandatory. Relevant experience in government, consulting, finance, infrastructure, or development programs is valued, especially with proven results.
Does AfDB charge any application fee?
No. The Bank does not charge fees at any stage of recruitment.
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