The journey to higher education may be difficult, as every African student knows. Many families are unable to pay for university because of the high tuition costs, few resources, and overall high cost of attendance. However, there is good news: NGO scholarships in Africa are helping students all throughout the continent. These scholarships are lifelines, not merely sources of financial assistance. They provide hope, access, and opportunity.
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We’re going to explore the best 9 NGO scholarships in Africa this year in this guide. These names are not only the ones you frequently encounter on the internet. We’ve done more. We have included program hacks, insider information, and little-known details that you won’t find anywhere else.
Top 9 NGO Scholarships in Africa You Can Apply for This Year
1. The Mandela Rhodes Foundation Scholarship
This is one of the most prestigious NGO scholarships in Africa, named after Nelson Mandela and Cecil Rhodes. It focuses on leadership and academic excellence.
What It Covers:
Full tuition for postgraduate study
Accommodation
Meals
Book allowance
Travel
Where You Can Study:
Any recognized institution in South Africa
What Makes It Special:
The leadership development component is intensive. Scholars join a rigorous program that pushes them to think critically and act ethically.
Who Should Apply:
Students under 30
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African citizens pursuing a postgraduate degree
Individuals with a record of leadership in their community
2. The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellowship
Unlike most African NGO scholarships, this initiative targets entrepreneurial development. The program welcomes students who want to establish their own businesses rather than work for others.
What It Covers:
Full funding for university
Personal development programs
Mentorship by industry leaders
The program gives students access to network connections while granting startup funds.
Where You Can Study:
Top universities in South Africa
What Makes It Unique:
The fellowship represents more than a mere scholarship program. After graduation, this program provides extended support to its beneficiaries.
Who Should Apply:
South African students with a passion for entrepreneurship
High school students (Grade 12) or first-year university students
3. The Ashinaga Africa Initiative
This African NGO scholarship program stands out as one of the special offers dedicated to supporting orphaned students. A Japanese nonprofit organization operates this initiative, which provides complete funding for international study opportunities.
What It Covers:
Full tuition
Housing
Living expenses
Travel
Psychological and career support
Where You Can Study:
Universities in Japan, the UK, the USA, and other countries
What Makes It Stand Out:
The program provides students with an exclusive preparatory year between high school graduation and university enrollment at educational institutions in Uganda and Senegal. The time enables scholars to enhance their academic abilities alongside their proficiency in English and to further develop their leadership potential.
Who Should Apply:
Orphaned students under 23 years old
High academic achiever
Undergraduates who plan to work for their native nations after graduation
4. DAFI Scholarship Program (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative)
Run by UNHCR and funded by the German government, the DAFI scholarship is one of the most targeted NGO scholarships in Africa for refugees.
What It Covers:
Tuition fees
Textbooks and study materials
Food and transport
Mentorship and psychosocial support
Where You Can Study:
Local universities in your country of study
What Makes It Special:
It’s tailored for refugees. The support system is built to help displaced students succeed in unfamiliar environments.
Who Should Apply:
Refugees living in African host countries
Students with strong academic records
Applicants committed to using their education to support refugee communities.
5. The Jim Ovia Foundation Leaders Scholarship
This Nigerian-based foundation partners with Ashesi University in Ghana to provide one of the top regional NGO scholarships in Africa.
What It Covers:
Full tuition
Accommodation
Travel
Comprehensive leadership development
Where You Can Study:
Ashesi University, Ghana
What Makes It Unique:
Scholars are chosen not just for academic ability but also for their potential to drive change in Africa.
Who Should Apply:
Nigerian students with strong grades and leadership skills
High school graduates looking to study business, computer science, or engineering
6. Zawadi Africa Education Fund
This scholarship is designed for young women from underprivileged backgrounds. It’s one of the few NGO scholarships in Africa with a clear gender focus.
What It Covers:
Partial or full tuition
Mentorship
Leadership training
Career guidance
Where You Can Study:
Partner universities in Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, and the USA.
What Makes It Special:
It’s focused on women’s empowerment. Alumni often go on to become leaders in business, medicine, and engineering.
Who Should Apply:
Female students from East Africa
High academic achievers
Students with leadership potential
7. Canon Collins Trust Scholarships
This UK-based trust offers postgraduate scholarships for students from Southern Africa.
What It Covers:
Tuition fees
Living expenses
Academic support
Where You Can Study:
Universities in South Africa and the UK
What Makes It Stand Out:
Scholars often go into human rights, law, and social development fields. The trust has a strong focus on justice and equity.
Who Should Apply:
Students from Southern Africa
Those pursuing postgraduate studies in law, education, or social sciences
8. Beit Trust Scholarships
This is one of the oldest NGO scholarships in Africa, dating back to the early 1900s. It supports postgraduate study in the UK.
What It Covers:
Full tuition
Living allowances
Travel expenses
Where You Can Study:
Partner universities in the UK
What Makes It Special:
It’s focused on students from Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia. The selection process is rigorous but fair.
Who Should Apply:
Postgraduate students from the three eligible countries
Strong academic records
Leadership and community involvement
9. Cambridge Africa Scholarships (via the Cambridge Trust)
Though administered by a UK university, this program is supported by several NGOs and is one of the few NGO scholarships in Africa targeting doctoral students.
What It Covers:
Full tuition
Living stipend
Research funding
Travel
Where You Can Study:
University of Cambridge, UK
What Makes It Unique:
It supports African PhD students in fields that affect the continent, such as health, agriculture, and technology.
Who Should Apply:
African nationals
Applicants with a master’s degree
Students with a clear research focus relevant to African development
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can students who maintain average academic marks obtain scholarships through African NGO programs?
Yes. The Zawadi Africa and DAFI scholarship programs, together with others, assess both academic achievement alongside factors such as personal challenges and leadership skills and determination.
2. Are there opportunities to obtain NGO Africa scholarships after starting university?
Absolutely. NGO scholarships operated by Jim Ovia and Allan Gray Orbis usually admit university students during their first two years of study.
3. Is English language proficiency required when applying for NGO scholarships in African countries?
The majority of scholarships demand English fluency, while select Francophone-based awards accept applicants who speak French. Always check the language requirements.
4. What is the level of difficulty for NGO scholarship admission in Africa?
Very. But don’t let that stop you. A strong application relies on understanding goals as well as sharing genuine stories along with authentic efforts instead of relying on academic excellence alone.
5. What African NGOs offer scholarships that cover both distance learning and online studies?
Yes. Following the pandemic, many international universities started receiving funding for online degree programs from NGO scholarships. Check with the provider.
6. I am eligible to apply for multiple NGO scholarships across Africa at the same time.
Yes. The strategic move is to submit applications to multiple programs. Each application must follow the requirements of the individual program.
7. Do any African non-government organizations provide scholarships for people who have disabilities?
Yes. Scholarships funded by the United Nations with disability-oriented NGOs give priority to students who have disabilities. When your condition applies to your application for an NGO scholarship, you must provide this information.
Conclusion
NGO scholarships throughout Africa establish more than financial assistance since they back entire individuals as optimistic investments. These opportunities let people access spaces that remain locked to others. The scholarships enable young Africans to achieve success while assuming leadership roles and contributing to social development. The wide array of academic scholarships extends to each specialization, from engineering to teaching, all the way to medical practice and business ownership.
These opportunities never pause for anyone. Deadlines come fast. Requirements are strict. And competition is stiff. You need to act now.
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