Applications are now open for the 2026 Global Africa Gateway (GAG) Summer Internship Program, a fully funded international internship initiative by The Africa Center in partnership with Afreximbank.
The Global Africa Gateway initiative is based in Harlem, New York, and is designed to strengthen economic, professional, and cultural ties between Africa and its global diaspora. As part of this initiative, the summer internship program provides graduate-level students from the African diaspora with hands-on professional experience working with reputable organisations across the African continent.
About the 2026 Global Africa Gateway Internship
For the 2026 cohort, the program will select 9 highly qualified graduate students or recent graduates from the United States who demonstrate a strong interest in building long-term professional connections with Africa.
Internships will take place across Africa and focus on fields such as:
- Finance
- Construction
- Commodities
- Law
- NGOs and international development
Each internship will last 8–12 weeks (May–August 2026), with a schedule of up to 40 hours per week.
Internship Benefits
Selected interns will receive:
- USD $10,000 stipend to cover travel, accommodation, and living expenses
- Fully funded professional placement with a reputable Africa-based organisation
- International work experience aligned with academic and career goals
- Opportunity to build long-term professional networks on the continent
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be U.S. citizens of African descent
- Be currently enrolled in a full-time graduate program or have graduated within the last 6 months
- Be aged 22–35 years
- Be fluent in English and at least one African Union working language
(Arabic, French, Portuguese, or Kiswahili are an advantage) - Meet all requirements listed in the program’s terms of reference
Application Requirements
Interested candidates must submit the following by February 27, 2026 (11:59pm ET):
- A 1,000-word personal statement explaining interests, ambitions, and motivation to work in Africa
- Resume/CV
- Two professional or academic references
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond intended travel dates
Important Dates
- Virtual Information Session: February 13, 2026 (12pm ET)
- Application Deadline: February 27, 2026
- Selected Candidates Notified: March 15, 2026
- Internship Period: May – August 2026
Potential Host Organisations
Interns may be placed with leading organisations such as:
- Afreximbank – Cairo, Egypt (Finance, Investment Banking, Law)
- ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms – West Africa (Operations, Sustainability, Finance)
- ETG – Malawi (Finance, Operations)
- International Organisation for Migration (IOM) – Egypt (Migration Studies, International Relations)
- Mota-Engil – Angola (Construction, Engineering)
- PAC Holdings – Lagos, Nigeria (Investment Banking, Finance)
- Hassan Allam Holding – Egypt (Engineering, Construction)
How to Apply
All application materials must be submitted via email to:
Only complete applications submitted before the deadline will be considered.
For More Information
Visit The Africa Center’s official website for full program details and updates on the Global Africa Gateway initiative.
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