The Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI) has officially opened applications for its 2026 Young Talent Program. This initiative invites promising young professionals and recent graduates to join its Geopolitics and Geoeconomics program.
Conceived as a pathway for emerging researchers, the program integrates participants into the daily operations of an independent think tank. Selected individuals will gain practical experience and professional development while contributing directly to research and advocacy efforts focused on the African continent.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Breaking into the field of international policy can be incredibly challenging for early-career researchers due to rigid experience requirements. The APRI Young Talent Program addresses this gap by offering direct exposure to real-world policy dynamics.
By working alongside seasoned experts, participants move beyond classroom theory to analyze complex geopolitical, economic, climate, and digital governance trends. This hands-on immersion builds the exact analytical, data, and project management skills needed to shape Africa's strategic future on the global stage.
Core Focus Areas & Responsibilities
Because tasks are tailored to a candidate's specific skill set, interests, and current institutional needs, responsibilities generally include:
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- Research and Analysis: Providing writing, data analysis, and editorial support on key program topics.
- Media and Trend Monitoring: Preparing weekly media monitoring reports by tracking news, policy debates, and emerging trends across multiple sources.
- Content Creation: Collaborating on digital communication materials, including images, infographics, factsheets, videos, and blog posts.
- Event and Administrative Support: Assisting with the organization of conferences, workshops, and webinars, maintaining databases, scheduling meetings, and assisting with grant reporting.
- Project and Outreach Management: Supporting internal and external communication, engaging with stakeholders, and helping monitor and evaluate research projects to assess their impact.
Program Location and Time Zone Requirements
- Work Environment: To fully integrate into the team culture, selected candidates are highly encouraged to complete all or part of their internship on-site at one of APRI's primary offices in Berlin, Germany or Abuja, Nigeria.
- Time Zone Alignment: All participants must be capable of working comfortably within either the GMT+1 (Nigeria) or GMT+2 (Germany) time zones.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following profile requirements:
- Academic & Regional Tracks:
- EU-Based Candidates: Must be currently registered and enrolled in a European university where completing an internship is a mandatory academic requirement (Pflichtpraktikum).
- Africa & Other International Regions: Open to recent graduates or individuals transitioning between academic programs (current university enrollment is not required).
- Language Skills: Excellent command of written and spoken English. Proficiency in additional languages such as French, German, Arabic, or African languages is considered an asset.
- Core Competencies: Strong foundational research and analytical skills regarding geopolitical, economic, climate, and digital governance dimensions. Candidates must be reliable, flexible self-starters who can work independently and prioritize tasks effectively.
Preferred Criteria
The selection committee will prioritize applicants who have:
- Completed graduate studies (Master's level or equivalent) in International Relations, Political Economy, Development Studies, African Studies, or a closely related discipline.
- Proven experience in data analysis, data visualization tools, and basic project management.
Application Process and Deadline
The application process is handled entirely online.
- Review Alignment: Ensure your academic background and analytical skills map cleanly to the needs of the Geopolitics and Geoeconomics stream.
- Submit: Eligible candidates can access the application portal and submission pathways via the official page: https://jobs.afripoli.org/en?id=b50354
- Deadline: All application materials must be finalized and submitted by July 31, 2026.
Disclaimer
Edfrica shares opportunities for informational purposes only. Results and funding outcomes are not guaranteed.
