If you’re a fresh graduate looking for a finance career in South Africa, the timing couldn’t be better. Citi South Africa is opening its Finance Graduate Learnership Programme for 2026, giving you a chance to start right now.
What the programme offers
The learnership runs for one year and is designed for newly qualified graduates who want to work in finance. You will be placed in Johannesburg, Gauteng, and will rotate through several finance functions while receiving professional development from a global bank.
Who can apply
- South African citizens with an undergraduate degree (minimum 65% GPA) or a master’s degree.
- BCom Accounting or Business Science is preferred but not mandatory.
- Up to 1 year of work experience only.
- Strong leadership, teamwork, communication and organisational skills.
What you will gain
You will get hands‑on experience in:
- Controller functions
- Treasury
- Tax
- Balance‑sheet substantiation
- Financial planning & analysis
Additional responsibilities include:
- Regulatory reporting to the Prudential Authority and JSE
- Internal management packs
- Income tax and VAT reporting
- Forecasting, capital and liquidity planning
- US reporting support and financial controls
- Data‑quality projects and cross‑functional teamwork
- Collaboration with teams in Budapest, India, Poland and Dubai
How to apply – step by step
- Prepare your updated CV and a concise cover letter that highlights your finance interest and relevant projects.
- Gather your academic transcripts and proof of South African citizenship.
- Visit the official application portal and create an account.
- Complete the online form, upload the required documents and answer any situational questions.
- Submit before the platform closes (no specific deadline has been announced).
Apply here: Citi South Africa Graduate Learnership 2026
Tips to improve your chances
- Tailor your cover letter to show why finance excites you and how you match the listed competencies.
- Highlight any university projects, internships or part‑time roles that involved analysis, reporting or teamwork.
- Proofread your application for spelling and grammar – attention to detail matters in finance.
- If you have any doubts, reach out to the HR contact listed on the job page for clarification.
Next steps
Take a moment now to organise your documents and start the application. Even if the competition is tough, a well‑prepared submission puts you in the running for a valuable entry point into the finance world. Good luck!
