Top Undergraduate Scholarships Program for African Students

Pursuing higher education can be financially challenging, especially for students from developing countries. Fortunately, several undergraduate scholarships are available to African students, providing full or partial funding for tuition, living expenses, and sometimes travel costs.
This post highlights some of the best scholarships available in 2025 for African students looking to study locally or abroad.

1. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Benefits: Full tuition, accommodation, books, and a living stipend.
Eligibility: Academically talented but financially incompetent students from Africa.
Participating Universities: University of Cape Town, University of Edinburgh, McGill University, and more.
Website: mastercardfdn.org

2. African Leadership University (ALU) Scholarships

Benefits: Full or partial tuition coverage, leadership training, and mentorship.
Eligibility: African students with strong academic records and leadership potential.
Website: alueducation.com

3. Ashinaga Africa Initiative

Benefits: Full tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and leadership development programs.
Eligibility: Orphaned students from sub-Saharan Africa with academic potential.
Website: ashinaga.org

4. Agha Khan Foundation International Scholarships

Benefits: Covers tuition fees and living expenses (50% loan, 50% grant).
Eligibility: Students from developing countries, especially Africa and Asia, with excellent academic records.
Website: akdn.org

5. Mandela Rhodes Foundation Scholarships

Benefits: Full tuition, accommodation, meals, and a personal allowance.
Eligibility: African students aged 19–29 with leadership potential.
Website: mandelarhodes.org

6. University of the People Tuition-Free Programs

Benefits: 100% tuition-free online degrees (students pay only for assessments).
Eligibility: Open to all, but African students can apply for additional funding support.
Website: uopeople.edu

Application Tips for African Undergraduate Scholarships

Check eligibility carefully: Some scholarships are specific to a particular country.
Keep deadlines in mind: Missing the specific deadline means waiting for another year.
Gather documents early: Recommendation letters and transcripts often take time to process.
Show leadership and community service: Most scholarships look for these qualities from their applicants.

Note

Scholarships for African undergraduate students are not only about financial support but also about developing future leaders. If you prepare well and apply on time, you can secure a scholarship that will transform your academic journey.

Stay connected with The Scholarship Scheme for more updates on fully funded opportunities worldwide.

The Scholarship scheme