The Ashinaga Foundation has unveiled its Africa Initiative Francophone Pathway – Orientation Programme, a new effort to support orphaned students from Francophone African countries who aspire to develop leadership skills, contribute meaningfully to Africa’s development, and pursue higher education in France.
The programme offers structured academic and professional guidance to increase participants’ chances of university admission and prepare them for a career rooted in community impact.
Programme Objectives
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Academic guidance to help clarify study choices and career paths
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Personalized coaching to strengthen university applications
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Preparation for required exams (e.g., DALF), with related fees covered
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Mentoring and support throughout the application process
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Access to alternative scholarships and educational resources
Benefits
Ashinaga will cover all costs associated with the Orientation Programme, including:
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Exam and application fees
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Internet access and other related costs
Note: Participation in the Orientation Program does not guarantee a scholarship. Only selected candidates will receive the full Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) scholarship, with final decisions made in June 2026. Applicants are responsible for obtaining a visa and enrolling in a university.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
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Have lost one or both parents
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Be citizens of one of the following countries:
Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon (French-speaking), Central African Republic, Comoros, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Seychelles, Chad, Togo -
Have completed their undergraduate degree (Licence) or be in their final year (L3), graduating no later than June 2026.
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Have been born after September 1, 2000.
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Lack the financial means to pursue a master’s degree in France.
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Speak French fluently.
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Have an average score of over 14/20 in the Baccalaureate or 75%+ in the State Examination.
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Have strong academic performance in their undergraduate studies.
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Be able to attend online sessions between October and December 2025, with access to a computer and stable internet.
Note: Applicants for courses such as medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, or law (except international law) are not eligible.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
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A recent passport-sized photo
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A copy of their passport or national ID
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A copy of their birth certificate
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Official documentation proving the death or disappearance of their parent(s)
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Baccalaureate certificate and transcript
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Proof of university enrollment and academic transcripts to date
How to Apply
Submit your application here.
Deadline: August 31, 2025
The Ashinaga Foundation has launched the Africa Initiative Francophone Pathway - Orientation Programme, focused on aiding orphaned students from Francophone Africa in developing leadership skills and pursuing higher education in France. This program aims to provide academic and professional guidance, helping students gain university admissions and effective career preparation geared towards community impact. Key components include academic guidance, personalized coaching for university applications, exam preparation with covered fees, and access to scholarships and educational resources.
Ashinaga covers all expenses related to the program, including exam fees and internet costs. However, participating in the program does not guarantee a scholarship; only select candidates will receive the Ashinaga Africa Initiative scholarship, with final decisions in June 2026. Applicants are responsible for their visa and university enrollment.
Eligible applicants must be orphaned, citizens of specific Francophone African countries, have completed undergraduate studies, be born after September 1, 2000, financially challenged, fluent in French, and demonstrate strong academic performance. They should also be available for online sessions between October and December 2025. Certain professional courses like medicine and law (excluding international law) are not eligible. Application materials include a passport photo, ID, birth certificate, proof of parent's death or disappearance, and academic records. Applications are submitted online by August 31, 2025.
