African Union Commission Internship Program 2026—Addis Ababa

The African Union Commission's Internship Program offers students and recent graduates from across the continent the chance to gain professional exposure at AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, working across departments from Political Affairs, Peace and Security to Health, Human Resources, IT, Legal Counsel, and dozens more. The program is unpaid, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Overview

The African Union Commission invites citizens of AU Member States to apply for its Internship Program, a full-time engagement giving qualified individuals from diverse academic backgrounds professional exposure within the AU. Interns assist with administrative and technical support for AU programmes, projects, and activities, and may be placed in departments including the Cabinet of the Chairperson, Agriculture and Rural Development, Economic Development and Trade, Education and Innovation, Infrastructure and Energy, Political Affairs and Peace and Security, Health and Social Development, Human Resources Management, IT and Enterprise Resource Planning, Legal Counsel, Protocol, Communication, and more.

Eligibility

• Be actively enrolled in at least the final year of a Bachelor's degree program, or have obtained a Bachelor's or postgraduate (Master's) qualification in a related field
• Be a national of an African Union Member State
• Be a full-time student currently enrolled in the final year of a Bachelor's or graduate program
• Be fluent in at least one AU working language (Arabic, English, French, or Portuguese)
• Be no more than 32 years of age at the time of selection
• Have not been convicted of any serious criminal offence (excluding minor traffic offences)
• Prior work experience is not required

Funding & Benefits

This is an unpaid internship — the AU has no financial obligation toward interns, who are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and living costs, and are not compensated for travel. The AU will use reasonable efforts to assist with entry and residence visas. The internship is authorized for three months and can be renewed once.

• Professional exposure within a major Pan-African institution
• Hands-on experience across a wide range of departments and functions
• Networking with professionals from across the continent
• A potential grooming ground for future African leadership roles

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online through the African Union careers portal on a rolling basis.

• Register on the AU careers portal if you're a first-time applicant, then complete your profile using the mandatory AU CV template
• Submit a motivation letter explaining what you hope to gain from the internship
• Attach a copy of your valid passport or national ID
• Attach certified copies of your relevant academic certificates
• Attach your current CV
• Attach a recommendation letter for the internship from your institution of learning
• You'll receive an email confirmation once your application is successfully submitted

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the AU Commission internship paid?

No, it is unpaid. Interns are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and living costs.

Who is eligible to apply?

Nationals of AU Member States, no more than 32 years old, who are final-year Bachelor's students or hold a Bachelor's/Master's qualification, and are fluent in at least one AU working language.

Is there an application deadline?

No fixed deadline — applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with this posting open through December 31, 2026.

How long does the internship last?

Three months, renewable once.

What documents do I need to apply?

A motivation letter, a valid passport or national ID, certified academic certificates, a current CV, and a recommendation letter from your institution, submitted using the mandatory AU CV template.