African Development Bank invites eligible candidates to the 2027 Internship Program, Session 1, which includes Legal among its fields of study.
About African Development Bank
Established in 1964, the African Development Bank is a pan-African development institution that supports economic growth and social progress. Its 81 member countries include 54 African countries. The Bank’s development agenda provides financial and technical support for projects intended to reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable growth. The Internship Program is part of the Bank’s talent management framework.
About the Opportunity
Session 1 of the African Development Bank’s 2027 Internship Program is open to applicants in several study areas, including Legal and Corporate Governance & Advisory Functions. This is a competitive program, with selections based on the Bank’s business needs. It offers students and recent master’s graduates an opportunity to gain professional and practical experience; the Bank notes that an internship should not be expected to lead to immediate employment.
Duration & Start Date
Session 1 is scheduled to commence in January 2027. Each internship lasts between three and six months, and the program may be undertaken only once by an individual candidate.
Fields of Study
Legal is among the eligible fields, alongside areas such as Agriculture, Engineering, Finance, Economics, Investment, Human Resources, Information Technology, Procurement, Sustainability, Governance, Communication and Data Management. The Bank gives special consideration to students working on projects that directly relate to its mission.
Location & Mode
Selected interns may be placed in departments at the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, or at regional and country offices. Depending on the hiring unit’s needs, an internship may be remote or on-site. Remote interns need a personal computer, reliable internet connection and a suitable working environment. On-site interns are responsible for their travel to and from the Bank’s location and their upkeep.
Stipend & Insurance
Eligible interns receive a monthly stipend and medical insurance coverage paid by the Bank during the internship. The Bank will make reasonable efforts to assist interns with entry and residence visas where applicable.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be nationals of an African Development Bank member country and have reached the age of majority in their country of nationality or origin.
- Candidates must be no older than 30 at the commencement of the internship.
- Applicants should be enrolled in a master’s-level degree at a recognised public or private higher-education institution, or apply within one year of obtaining the degree.
- Applicants must be fluent in English or French and provide confirmation of current enrollment or a copy of the relevant degree.
- Candidates should be able to use Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access; SAP knowledge is desirable.
Application Deadline
Applications for Session 1 are open from September 28 to October 12, 2026.
Contact
For technical difficulties with the application, contact AfDB HR Direct at HRDirect@AFDB.ORG.
Application Procedure
Submit a complete online application with a comprehensive CV through the African Development Bank’s external candidate portal. Applications are open through October 12, 2026.
