By Nneka Nwogwugwu
If you’re wondering whether it’s possible to obtain a fully funded scholarship at an African university, this guide will introduce you to five scholarships available for African students across the continent.
1. Mauritius Africa Scholarship Scheme
The Government of Mauritius offers fully funded scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs to qualified students who are resident citizens of African Union member states or African Commonwealth countries.
- Deadline: April 23, 2025
- Apply here: Mauritius Africa Scholarships Scheme
2. The Zawadi Africa Education Fund
This program provides scholarships to academically gifted girls from disadvantaged backgrounds in Africa, enabling them to pursue higher education in the U.S., Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya.
- Deadline for Kenyan applicants: April 5, 2025
- Find country-specific deadlines and application details: Zawadi Africa
3. The 2026 Mandela Rhodes Postgraduate Scholarship
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship offers financial support alongside a leadership development program designed to challenge and connect young African changemakers. The scholarship is open to African scholars pursuing postgraduate studies at South African universities.
- Deadline: April 21, 2025
- Apply here: Mandela Rhodes Scholarship
4. KàdàràBrite Undergraduate Scholarship for African Students 2025
The KàdàràBrite Scholarship supports orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) enrolled in or admitted to a federal or state university in Ghana or Nigeria. The program aims to empower deserving students to achieve their academic dreams.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be 27 years old or younger at the time of application.
- Deadline: May 15, 2025
- Apply here: KàdàràBrite Scholarship
5. Pan African University (PAU) Scholarship
The Pan African University (PAU) is inviting applications from young, ambitious Africans interested in pursuing Master’s or PhD studies in specialised fields. This scholarship is available at two PAU institutes:
- PAUSTI (Kenya): Basic Sciences, Technology, and Innovation
- PAUWES (Algeria): Water and Energy Sciences, including Climate Change
- Deadline: March 20, 2025
- Apply here: PAU Scholarship
These scholarships present incredible opportunities for African students to access quality education and develop skills that will contribute to the continent’s growth.
If you’re eligible, don’t miss out—apply before the deadlines!
This guide outlines five fully funded scholarship opportunities for African students to pursue higher education across the continent and beyond. The Mauritius Africa Scholarship Scheme offers scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate programs to students from African Union member states and African Commonwealth countries, with a deadline of April 23, 2025.
The Zawadi Africa Education Fund provides scholarships for academically gifted girls from disadvantaged backgrounds in Africa to study in the U.S., Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya, with Kenya's deadline on April 5, 2025. The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship supports postgraduate studies in South Africa, combined with a leadership development program for young African changemakers, and has a deadline of April 21, 2025.
The KàdàràBrite Undergraduate Scholarship is aimed at orphans and vulnerable children in Ghana and Nigeria, with eligibility limited to those 27 or younger and a deadline of May 15, 2025. Lastly, the Pan African University (PAU) Scholarship is available for Master's or PhD studies at PAU institutes in Kenya and Algeria, with applications due by March 20, 2025.
