The African Economic Scholars Program (AESP) has opened applications for the 2026 cohort for interested and qualified young Africans.
The AESP Program 2026 offers a hands-on learning opportunity that equips participants with practical knowledge of economic policy, research, and development practice, while also providing mentorship, networking opportunities, and career development support for aspiring policy professionals.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: Nigeria
- Category: Internships | Training
- Eligible Countries: Nigeria | Ghana | Kenya | South Africa
- Reward: Training | Mentorship | Career Development
- Deadline: April 19, 2026
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Scholarship Details
The African Economic Scholars Program (AESP) is designed for talented young Africans who are passionate about policy, economics, and development. The program provides a structured learning experience where scholars gain practical exposure to policy design, economic research, and development strategies while interacting with experienced economists and policy professionals.
The program targets final-year students and recent graduates from selected African countries who have academic backgrounds in economics or other social science disciplines. Through the program, participants will receive mentorship from experts, build strong professional networks, and collaborate with fellow scholars who share similar interests in shaping economic policies and development outcomes across Africa.
By participating in the African Economic Scholars Program, scholars will strengthen their analytical and research skills, gain insights into policy implementation, and access valuable opportunities that can help them build impactful careers in policy, research, and development.
Eligibility Criteria
To be qualified for the African Economic Scholars Program (AESP), applicants must:
- Have studied or currently be studying:
- Economics
- Political Science
- Or any related Social Science discipline
- Be:
- Final-year undergraduate students, or
- Recent graduates
- Be from one of the following countries:
- Nigeria
- Ghana
- Kenya
- South Africa
- Have graduated or be on track to graduate with:
- First Class, or
- Second Class Upper (2:1)
- Must not have graduated before 2025
Program Benefits
Successful applicants of the African Economic Scholars Program (AESP) will receive:
- Two months of intensive training on:
- Research
- Policy making
- Personal development
- Professional development
- Opportunity to publish their capstone research project
- Possibility of being selected for a two-month internship with partner organizations and Think Tanks
- Exposure to real-world policy development and advocacy
- Access to mentorship from economists and policy experts
Required Documents
To apply for this program, applicants must prepare to submit:
- School ID Card
- Academic Transcripts (from 100 level to final year)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) – maximum of 2 pages
How to Apply
To apply for the African Economic Scholars Program (AESP) 2026:
- Click the application link to access the AESP Application Form
- Fill out the form with the required details
- Upload all necessary documents
- Submit your application before the deadline
The application allows candidates to connect with peers, engage with organizations, learn from experts, and develop policy-related skills.
For inquiries: [email protected]
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