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Scholarship information and University and Secondary School rankings

Ashinaga Africa Initiative Scholarship Program

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Scholarship Overview

  • The Ashinaga Africa Initiative is an international leadership program that cultivates the next generation of leaders who will then contribute towards development in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Individuals who are selected as AAI Scholars are committed to returning to their home countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with the aim of initiating change, innovation, and development.

Host School(s)

  • Higher education institutions outside Africa

Fields of Study

  • Undergraduate programs

What does the scholarship cover?

This scholarship covers:

  • Tuition
  • Accommodation
  • Travel costs
  • Other necessary fees

How many scholarships are given?

  • One student per country every year

Which countries are targeted?

Anglophone Countries

  • Botswana, Ethiopia, Eritrea, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya,
  • Kingdom of eSwatini, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius,
  • Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia,
  • South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Francophone Countries

  • Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic,
  • Chad, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo,
  • Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea Conakry, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania,
  • Niger, Republic of Congo, Senegal, and Togo.

Note:

  • For countries that have both French and English as their official languages, applicants can apply to either the Anglophone or Francophone program.

Am I Eligible to Apply?

To qualify for this scholarship, you must:

  • Have lost one or both parents. 
  • Have been born after 1st September 1998.  
  • Be proficient in English or French. 
  • Have completed secondary school and passed a national secondary school examination (technical and vocational degrees not accepted) within the last two years (any date after 1st September 2018, including all of 2019 and 2020) or will have completed secondary school and received final exam results before February 28th, 2021. 
  • Have citizenship and have completed/be completing high school in one of the Anglophone or Francophone countries listed above
  • Not have the means to attend university abroad without external financial support. 
  • Be regularly ranked in the top 10% of your class during your last 2 or 3 years of secondary school. (Students without strong grades are unlikely to be successful).  
  • Be committed to returning home, or to Sub-Saharan Africa, and contribute to society in Sub-Saharan Africa after graduating from university. 
  • Be able to participate in the two Ashinaga preparatory programs over one year before attending university. 
  • Have no dependents who could interfere with academic progress. 
  • Be in good enough health to be able to study abroad. 

How do I Apply – Next Steps

Below are the two stages in the Ashinaga Africa Initiative application process. 

  1. Registration
  2. All applicants must first confirm the eligibility by registering for the program. Only students who register for the program and are deemed eligible (based on criteria/eligibility above) will receive the application form.  
  3. Application
  4. All students who register for the program will receive an email with a link to the application form within 1 month of their registration if they are eligible for the program. 
  5. Application is done online, via email, or post.

Note:

  • Wherever possible, registering and applying online is recommended. In cases where online application is not possible, the form can be downloaded from the website.

Required Documents (to be submitted in French or English)

  • Registration  
    • Copy of national ID card or passport.  
    • Copy of term reports / high school transcripts for your final year of school.  
    • Copy of final Secondary School Examination Certificate (students receiving their examination results after February 19th and before February 28th, 2021 will be asked to send them in after being invited to submit their applications to the program).
  • Application  
    • Copy of all term reports / high school transcripts from the last 2 years.  
    • Copy of final Secondary School Examination Certificate (if you did not submit it with your registration form) 
    • Copy of academic transcripts / diplomas from university / post-secondary institution, (if applicable).  
    • Copy of death certificate of deceased parent(s), including the deceased parent’s name, or alternative official documentation proving the death of a parent or parents, or orphan status.  
    • Copy of birth certificate of the applicant.  
    • Copies of certificates for extracurricular activities, training courses, jobs, or commitments (if applicable).  
    • A letter of recommendation from a principal or school teacher. This should be inclusive of their email address, phone number, and must contain information about your performance and character whilst at secondary school. All recommendation letters should contain an official signature or stamp.  

Closing Date

  • February 2021

How do I get more information?

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