Ashinaga Africa Initiative Scholarship 2027 – Francophone & Lusophone African Students (Fully Funded)
The Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) is a fully funded leadership scholarship for orphaned students from sub-Saharan Africa, run by the Japanese non-profit Ashinaga. Unlike most scholarships on this list, AAI is not just financial support — it includes a structured multi-year leadership development pathway before you even start university.
Important update: since August 2024, Ashinaga no longer accepts open online applications from Anglophone African countries — those students are now identified through partner high schools directly. Open online applications remain available only for students from Francophone and Lusophone countries.
What it covers: Full tuition, accommodation, travel costs, and other necessary fees for a Bachelor’s (and in some cases Master’s) degree abroad, for the full 3–5 year duration of the programme.
Detailed Eligibility Checklist
- Have lost one or both parents
- Citizen of a Francophone or Lusophone sub-Saharan African country — including Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Republic of Congo, DR Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Seychelles, Chad, and Togo
- Under 23 years old for Bachelor’s applications, under 25 for Master’s
- Committed to returning to your home country or the sub-Saharan Africa region after graduating
- In good health and able to study internationally, with no dependents that would interfere with your studies
How the Selection Process Works
AAI does not simply pick students and send them abroad. Selected applicants first attend a Study Camp (Uganda for Anglophone, Senegal for Francophone students), followed by a Preparation Camp the following year, where Ashinaga staff help you choose your study destination — Japan, the UK, the US, or Europe — based on your academic profile and goals. The final destination decision rests with Ashinaga, not the applicant alone.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Confirm you are a citizen of an eligible Francophone or Lusophone country and meet the age and orphan-status requirements.
- Complete the online application form for Francophone or Lusophone applicants (separate forms apply).
- Upload required documents: identification, most recent school transcript, and proof of parental loss.
- If shortlisted, attend the Study Camp for academic preparation and university application support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Anglophone African students still apply? Not through open application — Ashinaga now selects Anglophone candidates through partner high schools only.
Do I choose where I study? You give input, but Ashinaga makes the final call on your study destination during the Preparation Camp.