Exciting Scholarship Opportunity from Afreximbank
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a prominent Pan-African multilateral financial institution dedicated to financing and promoting intra-and extra-African trade. Established in October 1993, Afreximbank is backed by African governments, the African Development Bank, and other African multilateral financial institutions, as well as public and private investors from both African and non-African entities.
Afreximbank deploys innovative financial solutions aimed at transforming Africa’s trade landscape, accelerating industrialization, and boosting intra-regional trade. This, in turn, fosters economic growth across the continent. One of the Bank’s pivotal initiatives is the Afreximbank Research Sabbatical Programme, which offers scholars from academic or research institutions a unique opportunity to conduct research that aligns with the Bank’s mission and contributes to its intellectual leadership.
Afreximbank Research Sabbatical Program Details
The Afreximbank Research Sabbatical Programme is an exclusive opportunity designed primarily for senior lecturers and senior researchers from recognized universities, research institutions, or similar organizations. The program is highly competitive and based on merit. Scholars interested in exploring areas such as intra-African trade and investments, AfCFTA implementation, Africa’s industrialization, export development, trade finance leadership, and financial sustainability are encouraged to apply. The program is open to nationals of African and Caribbean Community countries who possess excellent oral and written communication skills in English, with proficiency in French, Arabic, or Portuguese being an added advantage. Successful candidates should be prepared to commit to a year-long, non-renewable research sabbatical with the Bank.
Selection Process and Thematic Research Areas
Applicants will be selected based on their proposed research’s alignment with Afreximbank’s thematic areas of interest, which include:
- Intra-African Trade & AfCFTA Implementation: Studies may cover topics like enhancing intra-African trade, the state of regional value chains (RVCs), bilateral trade agreements, infrastructure supporting trade, and the role of the African diaspora in trade.
- Industrialization and Export Development: Research may focus on constraints to export manufacturing, leveraging Africa’s green minerals, the state of light manufacturing and agro-processing, and the entertainment industry’s potential.
- Trade Finance Leadership: Areas of interest include the trade financing gap in Africa, the impact of regulations on trade finance, and sector studies on commodities of trade interest.
- Financial Sustainability: Topics may include optimal product mix and resource allocation for the Bank, and the probability of default on trade finance loans.
Application Process
Interested applicants should complete an online application form on the Afreximbank website and submit the following documents electronically:
- Current CV and cover letter
- Defined plan of research activities with specific outcomes and timelines
- Recommendation letter from the current employer confirming job availability post-sabbatical
- Copy of a valid passport
- Certified copies of relevant academic certificates
- Short statement of intent (maximum one A4 page)
The application deadline is June 30, 2024. If you do not receive a response within two weeks of submission, please consider your application unsuccessful, although your CV will be retained for future opportunities.
For more details, visit the Afreximbank website. Don’t miss this chance to contribute to transformative research and be part of Africa’s economic expansion!
