African Development Bank Young Professionals Program (YPP) 2025

The Young Professionals Program (YPP) is a flagship talent acquisition, development and management initiative aimed at building a pipeline of future experts for the Bank. The program targets exceptional, high-potential young professionals who are passionate about Africa’s development and are ready to contribute meaningfully to the Bank’s mission.

Designed as a three-year leadership development opportunity, the YPP offers a unique platform for qualified individuals from AfDB member countries to gain hands-on experience, rotate across different Departments, and prepare for impactful careers in development. It combines rigorous professional development with exposure to the Bank’s strategic operations and policy advisory work.

OBJECTIVE OF THE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS PROGRAM (YPP)

The Young Professionals Program (YPP) is a diversity focused talent development program, to create a leadership pipeline and workforce of the future for the Bank. This program offers exceptional career opportunities to talented young professionals with the ethos of future development specialists. It is a strategic talent development program designed to:

1. Develop a professional pipeline of workforce of the future for the Bank;
2. Nurture potential development specialists and  professional talent for the Bank; and
3. Contribute to the Bank’s diversity targets.

KEY FEATURES OF THE YP PROGRAM

The Program targets high-potential, best-in-class young professionals with a strong passion for Africa’s development and transformation. It offers exceptional career opportunities to talented young professionals with outstanding academic and professional achievements, to make a difference for the development and transformation of the African continent. The Bank aims to attract highly qualified and motivated professionals from its member countries for a productive and rewarding career. Through the Young Professionals Program, the Bank ensures continuity and excellence in the management of its work programs and the provision of policy advice and services to its Regional Member Countries.

To facilitate their journey, onboarding and career development in the Bank, a number of tools  have been put in place to support the YPs namely:

1. Rotation
2. Capacity Development
3. Mentorship and coaching programs
4. Graduation and integration into the bank

 Rotation

1. The YP rotates into three different complexes in the Bank.
2. The YP’s first complex is one aligned or relevant to the skills identified during the recruitment process. After the first complex, the YP will have to undertake two other rotations, one of which may be in a Country or Regional Office.
3. The first two years will be spent on mandatory rotational placements across the Bank’s various functions. The rotations will essentially seek to achieve the following sequenced objectives:

1. Rotation 1 – Demonstrate applied knowledge and experience (one year)
2. Rotation 2 – Stretch and learn (one year)
3. Rotation 3 – Transition (9 months, including 3 months) in a complex where one will graduate

Capacity Development

1. A Professional and Personal Development Program is structured under the Young Professionals Learning Faculty with specific learning interventions delivered in phases.
2. These learning interventions serve to deepen technical knowledge and build leadership skills required for effective delivery of assignments and future roles in the Bank. 
3. The faculty includes onboard training courses, customized postgraduate program with a reputable institution, the Bank’s Operations Academy, international certification programs etc.
4.  The YP Learning Faculty also includes on-the job training which requires immersion into various functional areas of the Bank for hands-on experience in projects and various work assignments.

Mentorship and Coaching Programs

The mentorship and coaching programs ensures a faster integration into the Bank’s culture and offer a robust support mechanism from mentors, coaches and buddy groups.

Graduation and integration into the Bank

Only Young Professionals who have successfully completed the YP Learning Faculty, three mandatory rotations, mentoring program, exhibited high performance and high potential, and no ethics related issues, will be integrated into the Bank’s workforce, automatically graduating at PL5 grade level.  

• Table of Content
• About African Development Bank Group (AfDB)
• African Development Bank Young Professionals Program (YPP)
• Aim and Benefits of African Development Bank Young Professionals Program (YPP)
• Requirements for African Development Bank Young Professionals Program (YPP) Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for African Development Bank Young Professionals Program (YPP)
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

Established to promote economic and social development efforts on the continent, the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group comprises three entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB) which is the parent institution, created following an agreement signed by 23 founding member states on August 14, 1963 in Khartoum, Sudan. This became effective on September 10, 1964. The group includes two concessionary windows – the African Development Fund (ADF), established on November 29, 1972 by the African Development Bank and 13 non-African countries; and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF), set up in 197... continue reading

African Development Bank Young Professionals Program (YPP)

Aim and Benefits of African Development Bank Young Professionals Program (YPP)

To facilitate their journey, onboarding and career development in the Bank, a number of tools  have been put in place to support the YPs namely:

1. Rotation
2. Capacity Development
3. Mentorship and coaching programs
4. Graduation and integration into the bank

Requirements for African Development Bank Young Professionals Program (YPP) Qualification

The Bank is an equal opportunity employer. To this end, the Bank is committed to achieving and maintaining a diverse workforce that reflects its culture. The Young Professional Program targets motivated and high-potential individuals from the Bank’s member countries.

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Bearer of citizenship of a member country of the Bank.
2. 32 years of age or younger by 30th of November 2025.
3. Master’s degree in any discipline that is relevant to the business of the Bank, with outstanding academic credentials.
4. At least 3 years’ post-graduate work experience in areas related to the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy and Four Cardinal Points.
5. Hands-on experience on the African continent or in other developing regions.
6. Passion for Africa’s development.
7. Capacity to leverage knowledge, share and coach others - work effectively in teams with displayed high adaptability to a diverse environment.
8. Teamwork, negotiation, client orientation, communication, strategic perspective, leadership and project management skills.
9. Strong analytical & reporting skills, entrepreneurial drive, results-orientation and problem-solving capability.
10. High business acumen and innovative mindset.
11. Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English or French, preferably with a working knowledge of the other language.
12. Ability to work in a digital environment and embrace technology as it
    evolves.
13. Willingness to work and live in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the Bank’s Headquarters and any other country where the Bank may require the services.
14.  Proficiency in the use of standard MS Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Practical knowledge of SAP systems will be an advantage.
15. Ability to travel continentally when required.

The African Development Bank is an equal opportunities employer.

1. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Nationals from the following member countries are strongly encouraged to apply: Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Cape Verde, China, Comoros, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Finland, Ireland, Kuwait, Libya, Luxembourg, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, Sao Tome & Principe, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, South Korea. South Sudan, Sweden and Turkey.

Interview date, Process and Venue for African Development Bank Young Professionals Program (YPP)

The selection process shall consist of the following steps:

Selection Process Timeline

Step 1:Announcement & Applications

Announcement of vacancies and invitation for applications from suitably qualified candidates for the YPP.

Step 2: Screening & Shortlisting

Screening and evaluation of applications to determine candidates who should be on the short list for assessment simulation exercises and panel interviews.

Step 3: Assessment Simulation

Participation in assessment simulation exercises.

Step 4:Panel Interviews

Panel interviews.

Step 5: Background Verification

Screening and background checks.

Documents Required for Application

• Upload the following required documents (mandatory):
  • Maximum three page Curriculum Vitae in Microsoft Word version/pdf.
  • Copies of Academic Certificates/Transcripts.
  • Copy of national passport

Check also:
Tony Elumelu Foundation African Entrepreneurship Programme 2026

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Please note that application for admission to the AfDB YPP is an online process. The YPP is highly competitive program, and you are advised to provide as much relevant information as possible.

Important: Applicants with dual nationality are advised that the Bank recognizes only one nationality from a member country; as such, kindly indicate the nationality you wish to declare.

Should you encounter technical difficulties in submitting your application, please send an email with a precise description of the issue and/or a screenshot showing the problem to: HR Direct [email protected]

For more details, visit African Development Bank Young Professionals Program (YPP) webpage