AfDB Jobs and Tenders: Working with the African Development Bank

AfDB Jobs and Tenders: Working with the African Development Bank

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is the primary multilateral development finance institution serving the African continent, with 54 African member countries and 27 non-regional member states. It finances a broad portfolio of infrastructure, agriculture, social, and private sector development projects, generating significant employment and procurement opportunities both at the Bank itself and through the projects it finances.

Employment at the African Development Bank

The AfDB employs around 2,000 professional and general service staff, primarily at its headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, and across its network of country and regional offices.

Types of Positions

Professional (PL) grade staff: economists, sector specialists, financial analysts, legal counsel, communications officers, and others — typically requiring a master's degree and significant relevant experience.

General Service (GS) staff: administrative, secretarial, and operational support roles, primarily locally recruited.

Short-term staff and consultants: the Bank frequently hires short-term technical assistants and consultants to supplement staff capacity for specific deliverables.

Hiring Process

AfDB positions are published on the Bank's careers portal (afdb.org/careers) and aggregated on platforms like DevProcure. The hiring process typically involves:

1. Online application through the Bank's portal

2. Written or technical assessment (for professional positions)

3. Competency-based interview

4. Reference checks and medical clearance

Salary and Benefits

The AfDB follows a compensation structure benchmarked to other multilateral development banks. Professional salaries are tax-exempt (for international staff) and accompanied by housing, education, and mobility allowances. The package is competitive with equivalent UN agency positions.

AfDB-Financed Procurement

Beyond direct employment, the AfDB generates substantial procurement activity through the projects it finances across Africa. Like the World Bank, AfDB contracts are awarded by the borrowing government or project implementation unit, following the Bank's procurement rules.

Types of AfDB-Financed Contracts

• Civil works: roads, bridges, ports, energy infrastructure, water systems
• Goods: construction materials, vehicles, IT equipment, medical supplies
• Consulting services: feasibility studies, technical assistance, supervision, project management support

Finding AfDB Procurement Opportunities

AfDB procurement notices are published on:

• AfDB's DACON system: the Bank's procurement information portal
• African Development Bank website: project information and procurement notices
• DevProcure: aggregates AfDB tenders alongside notices from the World Bank, UNDP, ADB, UNGM, and 200+ other sources

The Bank's Strategic Priorities: Where to Focus

The AfDB's five High-5 priorities shape where its financing — and therefore its procurement and jobs — is concentrated:

1. Light up and Power Africa: energy access and renewable energy

2. Feed Africa: agricultural transformation and food systems

3. Industrialise Africa: private sector development and manufacturing

4. Integrate Africa: regional infrastructure and trade

5. Improve the quality of life for Africans: health, education, social protection

Positioning your firm's expertise or your own professional background against one of these priorities strengthens both job applications and procurement proposals.

Track AfDB Opportunities on DevProcure

DevProcure aggregates AfDB procurement notices and job postings daily alongside opportunities from the World Bank, ADB, UNDP, and 200+ international sources. Set up a free alert filtered to AfDB opportunities in your sector to receive notifications by email.