29 Top International fully funded scholarship for Africans to Apply

26. Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP)

Managed by the Swedish Institute (SI), for study at Swedish universities.

Provides fully funded scholarships.

Targets citizens of specific countries, including many African nations (check the SI site for the exact current list, e.g., Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia).

Only for full-time Master’s degree programmes in Sweden.

Coverage is full: tuition, living stipend (SEK 12,000/month), travel grant, insurance, SI network membership.

Application: Requires significant work experience (3,000+ hours) and leadership. Apply for Master’s programs at Swedish universities first (usually via UniversityAdmissions.se, deadline around mid-January). Then, apply separately for the SI scholarship (application window typically early to late February).

27. Trudeau Foundation Scholarship Program

Managed by the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, supporting scholars at Canadian and some international universities.

A prestigious doctoral scholarship plus leadership training.

Up to 25% of scholars can be international students in a doctoral program at a Canadian university, making Africans eligible. Also for Canadians abroad.

Focuses on PhD (Doctoral) studies in humanities and social sciences.

Generous coverage: Up to $40,000/year stipend & travel + $20,000/year for fees/program costs, for three years, plus leadership program.

Application: Focuses on specific themes (Human Rights, etc.). Highly competitive. Candidates must be nominated by the university where they are applying or registered. University internal nomination deadlines are often in the late fall/autumn (Oct/Nov), with the Foundation’s final deadline typically around December. Check with your target Canadian university’s graduate studies office.

28. World Bank Scholarships Program

Managed by the World Bank, partnering with various universities globally for its different programs, like the JJ/WBGSP and McNamara Fellowships.

Offers fully funded scholarships.

Targets nationals of World Bank member developing countries, including most African nations. Check their lists.

JJ/WBGSP is for Master’s degrees in development fields. McNamara Fellowships are for PhD candidates for research visits.

JJ/WBGSP covers tuition, travel, stipend, insurance. McNamara covers research visit costs.

Application: Strong preference for applicants with development work experience and a commitment to return home. For JJ/WBGSP, there are two application windows: Window 1 (apply to partner programs first, then scholarship) typically February-March, and Window 2 (apply directly for scholarship for any preferred uni program) typically March-May. McNamara Fellowships usually have a deadline around April. Check the World Bank Scholarships website for current details.

29. Zawadi Africa Education Fund

Zawadi partners with universities mainly in the US, Canada, and some African nations (Ghana, Kenya, SA, Uganda) to place students.

It’s more of a leadership program facilitating access to scholarships rather than directly providing the bulk funding itself.

Targets high-achieving young women from disadvantaged backgrounds in Kenya, Uganda, Ghana (possibly others).

Focuses on undergraduate degrees.

Helps students win scholarships (often full funding) from partners by providing mentorship, prep, and application support.

Application: Nurtures future female leaders. Requires top academics, leadership, and need. You apply directly to the Zawadi Africa Education Fund. The application period typically opens around February/March and closes around April. Check their website for specifics.

Don’t just read this and nod. Pick the ones that fit you, your goals, your country, your level. Then go to their sites and start digging.

The opportunity is there. Now it’s on you to chase it.

Use the comment section below to let me know if you need anything else clarified!