29 Top International fully funded scholarship for Africans to Apply
For African students seeking transformative education abroad, this guide highlight the Top International Fully Funded Scholarships for Africans . We focus on what matters: partnerships, eligibility, coverage, and deadlines—to help you seize these life-changing opportunities.
This is going to be a long list, but you have to endure to get the right information to kick start your applications.
Remember, info like application dates can shift slightly year to year. Always double-check the official websites for the absolute latest details.
List of International fully funded scholarship for Africans
- 7Up Harvard Business School Scholarship
- AAUW International Fellowships
- Aga Khan Foundation
- African Graduate Scholarships @ UCL
- Australia Awards Scholarships
- Beit Trust Postgraduate Scholarships
- Chevening Scholarships
- Commonwealth Scholarship
- DAAD
- EAC Scholarship Programme
- Edinburgh African Scholarships
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program
- Gates Cambridge Scholarships
- Google 2025 Conference Scholarships For Africans
- Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance
- Mandela Rhodes Scholarships
- Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders
- Margaret McNamara Grant
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
- Mo Ibrahim Foundation
- Oppenheimer Fund Scholarships
- Reach Oxford Scholarships
- Rotary Foundation
- Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship Program
- Stanford GSB Need-Based Fellowships
- Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals
- Trudeau Foundation Scholarship Program
- World Bank Scholarships Program
- Zawadi Africa Education Fund
1. 7Up Harvard Business School Scholarship
This one’s a direct partnership with Harvard Business School (HBS). Simple as that.
It’s financial aid based purely on your need, specifically for the MBA program at HBS. If you’re aiming for anything else, this isn’t it.
The target is sharp: Nigerian citizens. Shout out to 7Up Bottling Company for backing talent from Nigeria.
Coverage helps with tuition fees for the two-year MBA. How much? Depends on HBS’s calculation of your financial need.
Application: You need to crush the main HBS MBA application first and get accepted. Acceptance usually happens in rounds (Round 1 deadline typically Sept, Round 2 Jan). After you’re in, you apply for HBS financial aid (deadlines follow acceptance rounds), and eligible Nigerians are then considered for this specific scholarship. So, apply to HBS first, then their financial aid process handles the scholarship part.
2. AAUW International Fellowships
AAUW doesn’t tie you to one uni. You apply to them, but you’ll be studying at an accredited U.S. institution that you choose and get into.
They offer fellowships for full-time study or research in the States.
Good news: It’s open to women from any country except the US. So yes, women from all African countries can apply.
This targets higher levels: graduate (Master’s, Doctoral) and postgraduate studies.
Coverage is solid: $20k for Master’s, $25k for Doctoral, $50k for Postdoc. This helps cover education costs, living, childcare, and travel.
Application: They’re backing women committed to returning home as leaders. You apply directly to AAUW. The application cycle typically opens around August and closes by mid-November for the following academic year. Check their site for exact dates!
3. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
AKF isn’t prescriptive about unis. You get into a reputable university first (often US, UK, Canada, Europe), then apply for their funding.
Now, pay attention: This is a partial scholarship, usually a 50% grant / 50% loan mix. You gotta pay back half, so factor that into your plans.
Target countries are specific and can change. For Africa, it usually includes Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Madagascar, Mozambique, Egypt. Always verify the current list on their site.
It’s primarily for Master’s degrees, with very limited funding for PhDs.
Coverage assists with tuition fees and living expenses. Remember that loan component!
Application: Focus is development studies. You apply directly to the Aga Khan Foundation, usually through AKF offices in your country of residence. The application cycle typically runs from January to March each year. Get admitted to your uni before or during this window.
4. African Graduate Scholarships @ UCL
This is tied directly to University College London (UCL) in the UK.
It’s a financial award based on need and academic merit for studying at UCL.
It targets nationals of any African country who are currently living in an African country.
The focus is solely on Master’s degree programmes offered at UCL.
Coverage varies, but often helps with tuition fees and might include a maintenance stipend. Check UCL’s funding pages for the latest details.
Application: You must have an offer of admission for a UCL Master’s programme before you can even be considered. Often, you’re considered automatically based on your main UCL application, but sometimes a separate scholarship application is needed after getting your offer. Check the specific scholarship details on the UCL funding portal. Deadlines are typically in the early months of the calendar year (e.g., Feb-April) for study starting in September.
5. Australia Awards Scholarships
These scholarships are managed by the Australian government, placing students at various Australian universities and TAFE institutions.
They offer fully funded scholarships, a really comprehensive package.
Eligibility is for specific African countries, prioritised each year (e.g., Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, etc.). You absolutely must check the official Australia Awards website for the current list of eligible African nations and priority fields for your country.
The primary level is Master’s degrees, though some professional development courses and limited PhDs might be available.
Coverage is extensive: full tuition, travel, establishment allowance, living stipend, health cover.
Application: Big focus on development fields. You apply through the specific Australia Awards application process for your country, often online. Application windows vary significantly by country but generally open around February/March and close by April/May for study commencing the following year. You usually need to plan to return home post-study.
