Companies operating within the African continent open various graduate development opportunities each year for qualifying young African graduates. Such programmes are designed to give young graduates hands-on experience and skills that will enable them to become professionals in their chosen careers, and also for a chance to be retained by the company for full-time employment.
The duration of these programmes usually spans 6 to 12 months or more, as the case may be. There are entry-level roles that mostly require a bachelor’s or equivalent first-degree qualification.
Edugist has compiled 15 graduate development programmes for Africans in 2023.
MTN recruits energetic, and enthusiastic individuals with a growth mindset to join its graduate development programme. The programme involves formal development (with MTN Academy and Duke Corporate education), mentorship, full-time employment in business areas, laptops, medical insurance, and other benefits individuals from Nigeria, South Africa, Rwanda and Eswatini are welcome to apply for this opportunity.
ABB is a global leader in engineering, robotics, electrification, and automation. They are located at Longmeadow, Johannesburg, South Africa. ABB welcomes applications from graduates for its graduate trainee program. Graduates will receive 70% on-the-job training, 20% classroom training to develop their skills and become full-time employers.
Nestle is a nutrition, health, and wellness company located in more than 130 countries including Africa. They offer 18-month career development opportunities to graduates with a bachelor’s degree and 2 years of working experience. Graduates get on-the-job experience and leadership training to enable them work in a fast-paced and competitive FMCG business.
Shell Global is an energy and petrochemical company that provides clean energy solutions. They are located in more than 70 countries which includes African countries such as Nigeria and South Africa. Shell offers a 2-3 years internship for graduates of any discipline to work in a diverse global environment and get trained.
Access bank aims to improve its customer experience by offering graduates an opportunity to get trained as bankers and leaders. Access bank is located in African countries like Ghana and Nigeria. Graduates undergo four months of Entry Level Training Program (ELTP) at the Banking School of Excellence. Candidates who excel in this program will be given full-time employment in assigned areas with full benefits.
Audi is a company that manufactures automotive vehicles. Audi is offering graduates from Africa and other continents an opportunity to gain international job experience and mentoring through its employment contract. Graduates will be trained in the areas of product, technology, IT, processes, digitalisation, market, finance, and HR.
Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc is a company that manufactures nutritional, hygiene, and home products. Graduates from North Africa can consider applying for the Reckitt finance graduate trainee programme for Egypt and North Africa. Candidates will gain new skills and experience working with a global team. Qualified candidates will be offered full-time employment with additional benefits at the end of the training period.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise is a multinational information technology company that provides storage, networking, software, IT support, consulting, artificial intelligence cloud computing products, and consulting services. Hewlett Packard Enterprise welcomes applications from graduates for its sales and IT job training and mentorship programme in Cairo, Egypt for 2 years.
The Young Professionals Program is aimed at training and mentoring young graduates in various fields such as ICT, procurement, communications, monitoring, evaluation, and research. The duration of this program is 1 year. Candidates who complete the training will get full-time employment and added benefits.
Kenya Airways welcomes applications from engineering graduates for its 1-year graduate trainee program. Graduates will receive professional and technical training as well as certification at the end of the programme.
The World Bank welcomes applications from graduates all over the world including citizens of Africa for its Young Professionals Programme. This programme aims to train graduates on how to create solutions for developmental challenges. Trainees will work for World Bank, IFC, and MIGA. This is a 2-year leadership programme that may turn into a five-year employment contract with salary and other benefits for successful candidates.
Heineken is a multinational brewing company located in over 70 countries. They seek applications from female graduates who recently graduated from the university. Graduates will be trained for 18 months in different departments such as supply chain, finance, and marketing.
This programme aims to train vibrant and talented graduates for 18 months in Standard Bank, across various locations in Africa. Graduates will learn critical skills needed to solve challenges in the business world and become future leaders. Candidates must be willing to work at least 8 hours during the months of training.
PwC welcomes applications from graduates from diverse backgrounds to get trained in their graduate programme in Moka, Mauritius. Graduates will work on several tasks that will improve their market-leading skills, work experience, and networking opportunities with PwC professionals.
Ernst and Young (EY) is a prestigious global firm that offers audit, consulting, strategy, transactions, and tax services in more than 150 countries around the world. It is offering entry-level opportunities to graduates from more than 150 countries to take part in its graduate programme each year. Graduates will gain valuable experience working in fields such as assurance, audit, consulting, and tax.
Final thoughts
Graduate development programmes are a great way for unemployed graduates to gain hands-on experience in their chosen field, network, and eventually get full-time employment. Graduates should consider applying to any of these programs to secure a better future.
