Internships · African Union

African Union Internship Program 2026

By: Samuel Sodunke Level: Undergraduate & Graduate Funding: Unfunded
A full time, unpaid internship offering young Africans professional exposure within the African Union's operations, across a wide range of academic backgrounds.

Eligibility

  • Nationals of an African Union Member State
  • Aged between 22 and 32 at the time of application
  • Final year students, postgraduate students, or recent graduates
  • Fluent in at least one AU official working language (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, or Kiswahili)

Who is not eligible: applicants who are not African Union Member State nationals, or outside the 22 to 32 age range.

What you need to apply

  • A motivation letter
  • A copy of a valid passport or national identity card
  • Certified copies of academic certificates
  • Current CV using the AU CV template
  • A recommendation letter from your institution

Position yourself

The AU values candidates who work well across different cultures. Use your motivation letter to show real examples of working or engaging across different groups, not just a stated interest in diversity.

What to do if you are not eligible

If you are not African, this internship is not open to you. If your academic background feels unrelated, note the programme explicitly welcomes diverse academic fields.

Benefits

  • Professional exposure within the African Union
  • Exposure to a multicultural, pan-African working environment
  • Development of personal and professional skills

How to apply

  1. Visit the official African Union internships page
  2. Register on the AU Careers portal
  3. Complete your profile using the mandatory AU CV template
  4. Submit the required supporting documents

Application tip

Be specific about which department or area of the African Union's work interests you, rather than describing a general interest in Africa or international affairs.

Frequently asked questions

Is the internship paid?
No, the AU does not provide financial support or cover living costs for interns.

Do I need a specific academic background?
No, the programme is open to eligible individuals from a variety of academic backgrounds.

How long does the internship last?
A minimum of three months, with a possible extension for another three months.

Other opportunities for African undergraduates and recent graduates: browse the full, current list on our Opportunities & Updates page.

Official application: apply through the official African Union Careers portal.

Apply / find out more See all opportunities