The Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) continues to provide ambitious young people from sub-Saharan Africa with access to higher education abroad through comprehensive financial support. The initiative supports orphaned students who demonstrate strong academic potential and a commitment to contributing to the development of African communities after completing their studies.
Established in 2014, the AAI aims to increase access to higher education while developing future leaders capable of contributing to social and economic development across the continent.
What the Ashinaga Africa Initiative Provides
Successful scholars receive comprehensive financial support equivalent to an undergraduate degree programme abroad. The support package covers several major costs associated with international study, including:
- University tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Travel expenses
- Other necessary education-related fees
- Additional support required during the study period
The programme is designed not only to provide financial assistance but also to prepare students to become leaders who can contribute meaningfully to sub-Saharan Africa.
Important Change for Anglophone Countries
Ashinaga has changed its application process for students from Anglophone countries. Since August 2024, the organisation has stopped accepting direct applications from students in Anglophone countries.
Instead, Ashinaga works with selected high schools in each Anglophone country to identify and select eligible candidates. Students from Francophone and Lusophone countries can continue to apply through the relevant application channels.
This means eligible applicants should first determine whether their country falls under the Francophone, Lusophone or Anglophone application process.
Eligibility Requirements for Francophone Applicants
Applicants from eligible Francophone countries must satisfy several academic, personal and financial requirements. They must:
- Have lost one or both parents.
- Hold citizenship of an eligible Francophone country.
- Have completed or be completing their bachelor’s degree, with completion expected by June.
- Demonstrate financial need for pursuing a master’s degree in France.
- Be fluent in French.
- Have achieved an average above 14/20 in the baccalaureate or more than 75% in the relevant state examination.
- Have achieved excellent results during bachelor’s studies.
- Participate in online Orientation Programme sessions from October to December.
- Have access to a computer and stable internet connection.
- Demonstrate a commitment to returning home or elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa after graduation.
- Have no dependants whose responsibilities would interfere with their studies.
- Be in suitable health to undertake international study.
Eligible Countries
The Francophone application is open to citizens who meet the requirements and have completed or are completing secondary education in specified countries, including:
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Comoros
- Republic of Congo
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Djibouti
- Gabon
- Guinea
- Equatorial Guinea
- Madagascar
- Mali
- Niger
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Chad
- Togo
Required Application Documents
Applicants should prepare their supporting documentation before beginning the application process. Required documents include:
- Passport-sized photograph
- Passport or national identity card
- Birth certificate or official extract
- Proof of the death or disappearance of a parent
- Baccalaureate certificate or proof of secondary education completion
- Detailed examination transcript
- University enrolment confirmation and academic transcripts
- Optional certificates documenting extracurricular activities, training, employment or other commitments
Applicants without a death certificate may submit another official document, such as a court record, affidavit or official letter from a local government authority, where applicable.
Selection Process
Applications are assessed after the relevant application deadline. Candidates who successfully pass the initial assessment may be invited to a final assessment involving individual interviews.
During the assessment, Ashinaga considers applicants’ academic performance, knowledge, aptitude, personal challenges, future plans and initiative. Candidates are expected to bring original academic and identification documents to the interview.
Ashinaga indicates that it generally selects approximately one student per country each year, although selection from every eligible country is not guaranteed.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted online, and there is no application fee. Applicants are advised not to pay any individual or organisation claiming to charge a fee for submitting an Ashinaga application.
The application process generally involves:
- Gathering all required documents.
- Scanning or photographing documents in PDF or JPG format.
- Completing the online application.
- Submitting the application for assessment.
Applicants who experience difficulties with the application process can contact the relevant Ashinaga admissions team for assistance.
A Pathway to African Development
The Ashinaga Africa Initiative combines international higher education with a strong commitment to leadership and development in Africa. By supporting talented orphaned students, the programme seeks to help young graduates acquire knowledge and skills that can be applied to challenges facing communities across sub-Saharan Africa.
Prospective applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements and application route applicable to their country before beginning the process.
Ashinaga’s official programme information should be consulted for the latest application procedures, eligibility requirements and country-specific updates.
Key Opportunity Details
- Programme: Ashinaga Africa Initiative
- Study level: Higher education abroad
- Target group: Eligible orphaned students and graduates from specified African countries
- Funding: Comprehensive financial support
- Tuition: Covered
- Accommodation: Covered
- Travel: Supported
- Application fee: None
- Selection: Competitive
- Leadership focus: Development of sub-Saharan Africa
- Application: Online for eligible Francophone and Lusophone applicants
