MINDS Scholarship Programme to Study in Africa 2026

Published: 05 Aug 2025

The MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development in Africa was successfully launched in 2017, bringing to realisation our vision of developing young leaders who have a continent-wide development mindset and leaders who can facilitate greater cooperation between African countries.

The Scholarship Programme enables African students to study in an African country other than their home country and in this way immerse themselves in richness and diversity that the country and its communities has to offer. By broadening access to education, we see the expansion of openness to ideas and the creation of a network of like-minded leaders who will help promote the performance and tangible progress of our continent. There is no doubt that a more integrated African economy of global scale will accelerate growth, generate positive outcomes and benefit all its communities.

MINDS Scholarship Programme

Application Deadline	Not Specified
Funding Type	Fully Funded
School to study	African Leadership University, Ain Sharms University, Al Akhawayn University, Alexandria University, Assiut University, Cairo University, Carnegie Mellon University , Cheikh Anta Diop University, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and technology, Makerere University, Pan-Atlantic University (Lagos Business School), Strathmore University, Universidade Agostinho Neto, Universidade de Cabo Verde, University for Development Studies, University of Cape Town, University of Ghana, University of Ibadan, University of Mauritius, University of Witwatersrand (Wits), Université Cadi Ayyad, Université Libre de Kigali,, Université Mohammed V
Type	Postgraduate
Sponsor	Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS)

MINDS Scholarship Programme Benefits

The Scholarship will cover some or all of the expenses below, depending on whether a partial or full scholarship is awarded:

• Tuition
• Accommodation and meals
• One return ticket per duration of studies
• A fixed stipend.

Requirements for MINDS Scholarship Programme

MINDS Scholarships are awarded to meritorious applicants following a rigorous selection process.  To be considered for a MINDS Scholarship, you must:

• Be a national of an African country, residing in any African country
• Have been formally accepted by one or more MINDS preferred institution/s outside of your country of citizenship and/ or residency
• Have been formally accepted by one or more MINDS preferred institution/s to pursue postgraduate studies within the following year
• Have obtained at least 70% in each subject/ course in the last two completed years of study
• Produce evidence of demonstrated leadership abilities or potential guided by the questions/ requirements set out in the application form
• Submit a complete online application form (see below) with the required supporting documentation.

Application Documents

Please have the following documents scanned, saved and ready for uploading. All documents uploaded must be in PDF format. Each attachment should not exceed 2MB in size.

• A copy of the data/ bio page of your passport.
• A certified academic transcript/ results slip of the last two years of study.
• A copy of the official acceptance letter from the university. The letter must:
  • Be addressed to the applicant.
  • State the degree which the applicant has been accepted to study.
  • State the academic year at which the degree will commence.
  • State the duration of the course (e.g. one year).
• A copy of a valid study permit or visa OR proof of application. (Optional)
• A detailed CV/ Resume of not more than four (4) single sided pages.
• Two reference letters (of not more than 3 pages each) addressing the applicant’s demonstration of integrity, their competency and/or potential as a leader and their commitment to the development of the African continent.

Check also:
Queen Elizabeth Scholarship (How to Apply)

Application Deadline

Not Specified

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) on scholarship.minds-africa.org to apply

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