29 Top International fully funded scholarship for Africans to Apply

16. Mandela Rhodes Scholarships

This program partners with reputable South African universities.

It’s a fully funded postgraduate scholarship combined with a mandatory leadership development program.

Open to citizens of all African countries.

Targets Honours degrees (one year) or Master’s degrees (up to two years) in South Africa.

Coverage is comprehensive: tuition, fees, allowances (study materials, living), medical aid, travel, plus the leadership workshops.

Application: Honours Mandela’s legacy, seeking academic excellence and leadership. You apply directly via the Mandela Rhodes Foundation online portal. Applications typically open around March and close around April/May for study commencing the following year.

17. Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders

This is a U.S. Department of State program (part of YALI), hosting Fellows at various U.S. universities for short-term institutes.

It’s a fully funded 6-week Leadership Institute Fellowship, not a degree scholarship.

Targets young leaders (25-35) from Sub-Saharan African countries. Check the YALI site for the list.

It’s professional development, not academic study, focusing on Business, Civic Engagement, or Public Management tracks.

Coverage is full: visa, travel, institute costs, accommodation, meals, insurance.

Application: Focuses on leadership development and networking. Highly competitive. You apply online through the official YALI / Mandela Washington Fellowship website. The application cycle usually opens around mid-August and closes around mid-September for the Fellowship taking place the following year.

18. Margaret McNamara Education Grants (MMEG)

MMEG supports women studying at a specific list of universities in the US/Canada, South Africa (e.g., UCT, Wits, Pretoria), and Latin America. Check their site for the exact eligible institutions.

They offer financial grants, usually not covering the full cost of study.

Targets women from developing countries (includes most African nations – check their country list).

Supports women already enrolled at an eligible university, pursuing degrees (level depends on region).

Coverage is grants around $7,000 – $15,000 USD (varies by region) to supplement other funding for tuition, fees, living costs.

Application: Empowers women committed to improving lives. You apply directly to MMEG via their online system. Application periods vary depending on the region (US/Canada program deadline usually around mid-January; South Africa program usually around mid-September). Check their site for the specific cycle you fit into.

19. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

This massive program partners with a specific network of universities globally, including many in Africa (Ashesi, KNUST, Makerere, UCT, etc.) and others in Canada, US, Europe.

Offers comprehensive, fully funded scholarships plus mentorship and leadership development.

Targets talented youth from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in Africa. Generally pan-African, but check partner uni specifics.

Levels vary by partner: secondary, undergraduate, and Master’s.

Coverage is extensive: tuition, accommodation, books, stipend, mentorship, support services.

Application: Focuses on academic talent + leadership + commitment to giving back. You apply directly to the partner university you want to attend, for both admission and the scholarship. Deadlines vary significantly depending on the university and the academic level (undergrad/grad). You need to research deadlines for each specific partner institution.

20. Mo Ibrahim Foundation

Partners with specific institutions like SOAS, London Business School, University of Birmingham, and runs its own Fellowship placing individuals in African institutions (AfDB, ECA, ITC).

Offers academic Scholarships (often Master’s) and practical Fellowships.

Targets nationals of Sub-Saharan African countries.

Scholarships are typically for Master’s degrees (development, governance, business). Fellowships are for mid-career professionals.

Scholarships are usually fully funded. Fellowships offer a stipend and high-level work experience.

Application: Promotes good governance and leadership. For scholarships, you typically apply directly to the partner university (e.g., SOAS) for the specific Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship programme. Deadlines align with the university’s postgraduate application deadlines, often early in the calendar year (Jan-March). For Fellowships, you apply directly to the Mo Ibrahim Foundation when calls are announced (check their website).