Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) Leadership Programme 2026 – Fully Funded Study Abroad for Orphaned Students

Applications for Anglophone countries (including South Africa) are no longer open as of August 2024. 

The programme continues only for Francophone and Lusophone countries, with deadlines confirmed as:

• Francophone: 31 August 2025 (12:00 GMT)
  
• Lusophone: 17 October 2025 (12:00 GMT)
  South African students are no longer eligible to apply independently through the standard application process.

About the Organisation

Since 2014, the Ashinaga Africa Initiative has supported orphaned students across Sub-Saharan Africa to pursue education at world-class universities abroad. 

It aims to empower graduates to return and drive change in their home communities.

Fields of Study Funded

The programme supports undergraduate study abroad in any field except medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, or domestic law (international law may be permitted). 

All major disciplines are welcome.

Benefits for Recipients

Selected Scholars receive full funding, including:

• Tuition, accommodation, travel, insurance, and living expenses
  
• All costs for the mandatory preparatory camps
  
• Leadership development and mentorship programmes
  
• Internship in Sub‑Saharan Africa during university vacations
  Scholars must return to Africa and contribute locally for at least one year post-graduation.
  

Eligibility Criteria 

To qualify, applicants must:

• Have lost one or both parents
  
• Be a citizen of a Francophone or Lusophone Sub‑Saharan African country listed on the Ashinaga site
  
• Be born after September 1, 2000 (under age 26 in 2026)
  
• Rank in the top 10% of your class during the last 2–3 years of secondary school
  
• Have no dependents
  
• Be proficient in French or Portuguese, depending on your national background
  
• Lack the means to study abroad without external financial support
  
• Be able to participate in one year of Ashinaga preparatory programmes (Study Camp and Preparation Camp) before starting university
  
• Commit to returning to Sub‑Saharan Africa post-graduation to contribute to community development

How to Apply

1. For South Africans: independent applications are no longer accepted → you cannot apply via the regular online portal.
   
2. For eligible Francophone or Lusophone students, follow these steps:
   
   • Gather required documents (list below)
     
   • Apply online via the official AAI portal before the relevant deadline
     
   • No application fee and never pay third parties
     Submission is fully online.

Required Documents

Applicants must prepare digital copies (PDF/JPG) of:

• Passport, national ID, or birth certificate
  
• Parent(s) death or disappearance certificate (or verified official alternative)
  
• Secondary school transcript and final exam certificate (e.g., baccalaureate)
  
• Evidence of top 10% ranking
  
• Proof of insufficient financial means for international study
  
• Passport-style photo
  
• Optional: extracurricular certifications or references

Closing Date

• Francophone applications close on 31 August 2025, 12:00 GMT
  
• Lusophone applications close on 17 October 2025, 12:00 GMT
  South African (Anglophone) students are no longer eligible through this application cycle.

Contact Details

For application assistance or support:

• Email for Francophone queries: [email protected]
  
• Email for Lusophone queries: [email protected]
  Ensure you check the official Ashinaga AAI FAQ page before contacting.

Note: As of the current policy (August 2024 onward), Anglophone applicants, including South Africans, cannot apply independently for the 2026 cohort. 

Applications continue only for Francophone and Lusophone Sub‑Saharan countries.