Citi South Africa is recruiting newly qualified university graduates for its 2026 Learnership Graduate Programme in Markets, offering successful candidates a full year of practical experience in Johannesburg.
The 12-month programme is designed to give graduates exposure to Citi’s business while developing skills for a career in the financial-services industry.
Successful candidates will be placed within Equities, Markets, and Citi says participants will also be sponsored for a postgraduate qualification relevant to their area of work during the programme.
Applicants can have no previous work experience, although Citi will accept candidates with up to one year of experience.
Citi Graduate Learnership 2026 at a Glance
Company: Citi South Africa
Programme: South Africa Learnership Graduate Program – Market
Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng
Business area: Equities, Markets
Duration: One year
Work arrangement: On-site
Employment type: Full-time
Job reference: 26993885
Posted: 15 September 2026
Experience: 0–1 year accepted
Closing date: Not stated in the official vacancy
The opportunity is intended for newly qualified graduates who want to build practical experience within the banking and financial-services sector.
Who Can Apply?
Citi is looking for candidates who have completed an undergraduate degree with an academic result of 65% or above, or who hold a Master’s degree.
The degree can be in any discipline.
An Accounting qualification is listed as an advantage, but Citi does not state that applicants must have studied Accounting, Finance or Economics.
Applicants can therefore come from a wider range of university backgrounds, provided they meet the academic requirements.
Do You Need Work Experience?
No extensive work experience is required.
Citi states that candidates can have a maximum of one year of work experience, but previous experience is not required.
This makes the programme particularly relevant to recent university graduates trying to gain their first substantial professional experience.
What Will Successful Graduates Do?
Successful candidates will join Citi’s Equities, Markets environment.
Citi says the programme is intended to take graduates from classroom knowledge into a professional working environment through practical experience and training.
Participants will receive training intended to develop the knowledge and skills required to contribute within their teams and understand the financial-services industry.
Citi also emphasises learning, networking and career development during the programme.
Postgraduate Qualification Included
One of the notable features of the programme is the education component.
According to Citi’s official advertisement, graduates participating in the year-long programme will be sponsored for a postgraduate qualification relevant to their area of work.
This means participants can gain workplace experience while continuing their professional and academic development.
Can the Learnership Lead to a Permanent Job?
Citi states that graduates are allowed to apply for permanent positions during the year.
That should not be interpreted as a guarantee of permanent employment after completing the programme. Any permanent position would involve Citi’s recruitment and selection processes.
Nevertheless, the ability to apply internally gives participants exposure to potential career opportunities while completing the programme.
What Skills Is Citi Looking For?
Citi is interested in candidates who demonstrate:
- Strong leadership ability
- Teamwork
- Good communication skills
- Planning and organisational ability
- Analytical and quantitative skills
- Commitment to personal development
- Willingness to learn
- Interest in the financial industry
- Ability to succeed in team environments
- Integrity and ethical decision-making
Knowledge of the South African or international business environment is preferred but not required.
Documents You’ll Need When Applying
Citi specifically asks candidates to attach their:
- Updated CV
- Cover letter
- Full academic transcripts
- ID
Because academic performance forms part of the eligibility requirements, applicants should make sure their complete academic records are available before starting the application.
Is There a Stipend or Salary?
The official Citi advertisement does not specify a stipend or salary amount for the programme.
Applicants should therefore avoid relying on unofficial salary figures circulating online unless Citi confirms the amount during recruitment.
When Do Applications Close?
Citi does not state a closing date on the official vacancy listing.
The position was posted on 15 September 2026 and is currently advertised through Citi’s careers platform.
Eligible candidates who are interested in the programme should consider applying while the official vacancy remains available rather than waiting for an unspecified deadline.
How to Apply for the Citi South Africa Graduate Learnership 2026
Applications must be completed online through Citi’s official recruitment system.
Before applying, make sure you have your CV, cover letter, academic transcripts and identification document ready.
Apply for the Citi South Africa Graduate Learnership 2026
Applicants should submit accurate information and should never pay anyone who claims they can guarantee selection into the programme.
Check Your Eligibility Before Applying
You are potentially eligible if:
✓ You have completed an undergraduate degree with 65% or above, or hold a Master’s degree.
✓ You have between zero and one year of work experience.
✓ You are interested in developing a career within financial services.
✓ You can work in Johannesburg.
✓ You can provide your CV, cover letter, full academic transcripts and ID.
An Accounting qualification may strengthen an application but is not listed as compulsory.
Why This Graduate Programme Stands Out
There are two particularly useful aspects of this opportunity for a newly qualified graduate.
First, Citi accepts applicants with no previous work experience, removing one of the common barriers graduates encounter when entering the labour market.
Second, the programme combines one year of practical experience with sponsorship for a relevant postgraduate qualification.
Participants also gain exposure to Citi’s Markets environment and can apply for permanent opportunities during their year in the programme.
That does not guarantee employment after the learnership, but it provides a combination of education, workplace experience and exposure to the financial-services sector.
Important Information
SetaSite is an independent opportunities information platform and is not Citi.
Applications, candidate selection and recruitment communication are handled by Citi through its official careers platform. Always verify recruitment communication before providing personal information.
Ncebakazi Xatula is an Opportunities Researcher and Writer at Setasite, where she focuses on South African learnerships, skills programmes, bursaries, and youth employment pathways. Her work is dedicated to helping matriculants, students, and job seekers clearly understand how the country’s skills development system works and how to apply successfully for verified opportunities.
She specializes in breaking down complex SETA processes into practical, step-by-step guidance that first-time applicants can follow with confidence. Her research involves reviewing publicly available information from Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), accredited training providers, employers, and official institutional sources to ensure content remains accurate and locally relevant.
Ncebakazi’s areas of focus include learnership requirements, application preparation, skills programme opportunities, and common mistakes that prevent applicants from being shortlisted. She is particularly passionate about improving access to reliable opportunity information for young people entering the South African job market.
At Setasite, her editorial approach prioritizes clarity, responsible reporting, and people-first usefulness to support readers making informed career decisions.
