Paid internships and fellowships for African students
Internships and fellowships are the fastest way to gain global work experience and a foot in the door at top employers. Below are the live, paid opportunities open to Africans.
Listings include Google STEP, Microsoft Explore, Goldman Sachs Possibilities Summit, World Bank Internship, UN Internship Programme and African-led fellowships at the African Leadership Academy and Tony Elumelu Foundation.
Most of these close 6–9 months in advance — plan with our 12-month application timeline, sharpen your motivation letter using our scholarship essay guide, and if you also need degree funding, read the full-ride scholarship playbook.
60 matching opportunities
Officially Green Fellowship Programme
The Green Institute invites applications for the Officially Green Fellowship Programme from emerging leaders passionate about sustainability, education, advocacy, and community action. The programme develops sustainability leaders ready to
ICRC Associate Traineeship Programme
Current intake pays CHF 3,934 gross monthly in 13 installments. This is distinct from compulsory unpaid student placements. Open for 12 months, starting 1 March 2027 for current intake. Eligibility and application conditions apply.
African Development Bank 2027 Internship Program — Session 1
Competitive internship placing about 40 master's students and recent master's graduates in AfDB departments at headquarters in Abidjan, regional or country offices — on-site or remote depending on the hiring unit.
CFJ Fellowship (formerly Waging Justice for Women) 2027 — Clooney Foundation for Justice
A paid one-year legal fellowship placing ten early-career women lawyers with justice organisations in Kenya, Malawi, South Africa and The Gambia to fight violence against women and children.
AWARD Women in Agriculture Leadership Program Fellowship — Cohort 2
A two-year non-residential fellowship building the leadership of mid-career African women agricultural scientists in Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Senegal.
Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship 2027
An eight-month online entrepreneurship fellowship from Queen's University for African students and recent graduates, with bootcamps, mentors and support to launch a venture.
Princeton in Africa Fellowship 2027–28
Year-long paid work fellowship (not a degree scholarship) with organisations across Africa, for graduates of 4-year US or African universities aged 35 or under. Deadline 26 Oct 2026, 11:59 PM EDT.
Vital Voices’ VVEngage Fellowship 2026 for Women in Public Leadership
The VVEngage program supports outstanding women in public leadership through a fellowship that includes coaching, training, and networking opportunities. It aims to amplify their impact and accelerate progress in their communities.
Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) Technical Fellowships 2026
These fellowships support public health professionals in gaining technical expertise and knowledge in cancer control. While funding details are not specified here, it is implied to be a substantive professional development opportunity.
University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship 2026/2027
This fully funded fellowship supports early to mid-career women professionals in global health leadership. It aims to empower women in public health.
The University of Tokyo Special Scholarship for International Students (University of Tokyo Fellowship)
The University of Tokyo Fellowship supports international students pursuing doctoral degrees. It provides a monthly stipend to cover living expenses, and some or all tuition may be exempt.
Huduma Fellowship 2026 for Public Servants in Uganda
This transformative leadership program develops exceptional public servants in Uganda through intensive training and mentorship, cultivating leaders committed to excellence in public service.
Visiting Student Research Program (VSRP)
The VSRP internship at KAUST offers international students hands-on research experience in STEM fields. It's a fully funded program providing a monthly stipend, accommodation, and travel.
Kavli Prize Travel Fellowships 2026
Fully funded travel fellowships for science journalists to attend Kavli Prize Week in Norway.
Legatum Fellowships
The Legatum Center administers a competitive fellowship program for incoming and current MIT graduate students from all academic disciplines. These fellowships support students who demonstrate the potential to create sustainable, for-profit
MEST AI Startup Program (Class of 2027) for Young African Entrepreneurs
This is a fully-sponsored residential fellowship in Accra, Ghana for entrepreneurs from Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and Kenya, focusing on AI startups.
OECD Internship Programme (Paris)
1–6 month paid internship at the OECD in Paris for Master's and PhD students worldwide, including African nationals.
IAEA Internship Programme (Vienna)
3–12 month paid internship at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, open to graduate students from IAEA Member States — includes most African countries.
UNESCO Internship Programme (Paris & Field Offices)
1–6 month internship at UNESCO headquarters in Paris or field offices, open to students and recent graduates from UNESCO Member States — includes all African countries.
United Nations Internship Programme (Global)
The UN Internship Programme places students from around the world – including African nationals – at UN headquarters and field offices for 2–6 month assignments in policy, communications, research, human rights, and sustainable development.
UNICEF Internship Programme
UNICEF offers paid internships of 6–26 weeks for current students and recent graduates worldwide, with placements at HQ in New York and in regional/country offices across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.
Google STEP & Software Engineering Internships (Global)
Google offers paid Software Engineering Internships and the STEP (Student Training in Engineering Program) for first- and second-year university students globally, with offices in Nairobi, Accra, Johannesburg, London, Dublin, Zurich and the US open to African applicants.
McKinsey Insight & Summer Business Analyst Programs (Global)
McKinsey offers global student programs – including Insight (3-day immersion), Summer Business Analyst, and the Next Generation Women Leaders program – open to undergraduate and graduate students from across Africa and the rest of the world.
Microsoft Global Internship Program
The Microsoft Global Internship Program hires university students worldwide – including across Africa – for 12-week paid internships in software engineering, product management, data science, finance, marketing, and business programs.
IMF Fund Internship Program
The IMF Fund Internship Program (FIP) recruits advanced PhD students in economics or related fields from around the world – including African universities – for 10–12 week paid summer assignments at IMF headquarters in Washington, DC.
Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program (HSAFP)
The Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program provides exceptional South Africans with the chance to study at Harvard University for up to one year, empowering them to make significant impacts upon their return to South Africa.
Africa Leadership Accelerator Fellowship
The Africa Leadership Accelerator Fellowship by Global Health Corps (GHC) empowers young African professionals in non-clinical public health roles. Fellows continue their work while gaining leadership skills, expanding networks, and applying new knowledge directly in their organi
Global Health Corps U.S. Leadership Accelerator Fellowship
The Global Health Corps (GHC) U.S. Leadership Accelerator Fellowship is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 cohort. This prestigious program targets early-career, non-clinical public health professionals in the United States to strengthen leadership, drive systemic chang
Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellowship at RIFS Potsdam
The Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellowship 2027 offers a unique opportunity for highly talented mid-career professionals dedicated to sustainable development, hosted by the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) in Potsdam, Germany.
Tufts One Health Fellowship Program
The Tufts One Health Fellowship Program 2026 is a fully funded global health leadership opportunity for early- to mid-career professionals from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Rwanda, hosted by Tufts University in the USA.
PIL Research Fellowship at Harvard University
The Harvard University PIL Research Fellowship supports early-career scholars in Islamic legal studies with a nine-month residential fellowship, providing access to Harvard’s extensive library collections and fostering independent research.
Internships at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) offers dynamic, paid internship opportunities for students and professionals to gain hands-on experience in various museum career fields, fostering future museum leaders.
Information Technology Internship (Grow-IT specialising in AI) – BSTD
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is inviting applications for its 2027 Information Technology Internship (Grow-IT specialising in AI). This internship aims to address current and future skills needs in SARB’s IT environment, placing successful applicants to build technical a
Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Programme
The Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Programme empowers African public health leaders with advanced skills to strategize, manage, and lead impactful public health programs across the continent. It provides full access to learning resources, covers travel and insurance, and off
Roche Global Internship Programme in Innovation & Sustainability
Roche’s Global Internship Programme in Innovation & Sustainability (#IP2TIS) focuses on sustainability-related work in healthcare. The program is designed for high-potential academic talent and connects interns with projects that aim to reduce environmental impact or improve soci
OpenAI Safety Fellowship
The OpenAI Safety Fellowship is a pilot program designed to support independent, high-impact research on the safety and alignment of advanced AI systems. Fellows will receive a monthly stipend, compute support, and mentorship.
Echoing Green Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurs
The Echoing Green Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurs is a full-time program designed to identify and support leaders who are developing solutions to significant global problems.
KAS Germany International Parliamentary Scholarships (IPS) 2026 for West, East & Southern African Students
The German Bundestag invites young graduates from West, East, and Southern African countries for a four-week parliamentary scholarship program in Berlin, offering first-hand experience of the German parliamentary system.
LéO Africa Institute Young and Emerging Leaders Project (YELP) 2026
Applications are invited for the Young and Emerging Leaders Project (YELP) 2026. The Young and Emerging Leaders Project (YELP) is a fellowship program of the LéO Africa Institute that inducts young thought leaders into a fellowship program of six months. The fellowship brings together young, dynamic and influential thought leaders from East Africa to train and orient them for leadership focused on shaping the next generation of leaders in East Africa.
Commonwealth Startup Fellowship
The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship supports African founders and early-stage tech entrepreneurs to spend time embedded with a UK accelerator or innovation host — building skills, networks and investment readiness.
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program enhances leadership among international professionals to address local and global challenges, fostering change through academic study and professional development with U.S. counterparts.
African Humanities Program
The African Humanities Program (AHP) funded early-career scholars in the humanities in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. It supported research, knowledge production, and scholarly networks. The program is no longer active, but its successor, the African Humanities Association, continues its legacy.
Echidna Global Scholars Program
The Echidna Global Scholars Program is a fellowship designed to foster research and policy engagement in global education, focusing on girls' and young women's education. It offers a stipend and travel funding, providing an opportunity for accomplished professionals and researchers to conduct intensive study and contribute to policy discourse at the Brookings Institution. The program aims to generate original ideas and actionable solutions for educational equity and empowerment worldwide, with applications typically opening annually between January and February. Applicants are usually required to have an advanced degree and a strong research background.
Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program
The Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program (CADFP) provided fellowships for educational projects at African higher education institutions. The program is now in its final phase, focusing on strengthening its alumni community and incubating a new entity for future collaboration.
Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowships
12-month fellowships at the African Development Bank, UN Economic Commission for Africa, or International Trade Centre.
Knight—Bagehot Fellowship in Economics and Business Journalism – Study at Columbia University
Knight—Bagehot Fellowship in Economics and Business Journalism – Study at Columbia University - Scholarships by Region, Post a Comment
STIAS Iso Lomso Fellowships for Early Career African Researchers 2022
STIAS Iso Lomso Fellowships for Early Career African Researchers 2022 - Fellowship, Post a Comment
PRB Policy Communication Fellows Program for Students from Developing Countries
PRB Policy Communication Fellows Program for Students from Developing Countries - Trainee Programs, Post a Comment
Al Jazeera Fellowship Program for Journalists and Scholars
Al Jazeera Fellowship Program for Journalists and Scholars - Fellowship, Post a Comment
Leadership and Advocacy for Women in Africa Fellowship Program
Leadership and Advocacy for Women in Africa Fellowship Program - Fellowship, Post a Comment
Rockefeller Foundation-Acumen Food Systems Fellowship for Africans
Rockefeller Foundation-Acumen Food Systems Fellowship for Africans - Fellowship, Post a Comment
African Future Leaders Summit for African Youth Leaders
The African Future Leaders Summit welcomes young ambitious leaders, changemakers, and students who want to start creating their mark in the industries they thrive in., Post a Comment
Julius Berger Nigeria Fully-Funded Internship Abroad for Wood Technology and Furniture Interior Design
Julius Berger Nigeria Fully-Funded Internship Abroad for Wood Technology and Furniture Interior Design - Internships, Post a Comment
Apple Entrepreneur Camp for Female Founders and Developers
The Apple Entrepreneur Camp is open to all female founders and developers interested in stepping up their app development game., Post a Comment
UN Capital Development Fund Internship for West and Central Africans
UN Capital Development Fund Internship for West and Central Africans - Internships, Post a Comment
Orange Corners Incubation Program Offers 40,000 Euros in Business Funding for Nigerian Entrepreneurs
Orange Corners Incubation Program Offers 40,000 Euros in Business Funding for Nigerian Entrepreneurs - Fellowship, Post a Comment
Mastercard Summer Intern Program for South Africans in Data and Services
The Mastercard Summer Intern Program is a comprehensive internship program where South African students in their penultimate year can gain hands-on real work-life skills in Data and Services consulting., Post a Comment
Young Water Fellowship Program for Ugandan Social Entrepreneurs
Young Water Fellowship Program for Ugandan Social Entrepreneurs - Fellowship, Post a Comment
MIASA Fellowships for Africans at the University of Ghana
The MIASA Fellowships is viable for 10 junior or senior researchers at the University of Ghana who are dedicated to sustainable governance., Post a Comment
Microsoft Technology Sales – Internship for South Africans
Microsoft is looking for interns in the Technology Sales field! If you’re a South African native looking for work experience and opportunities within a big multinational corporation, then apply now!, Post a Comment
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