Ashinaga Africa Initiative 2027 for Young African Leaders

Deadline: August 16, 2026

Applications are open for the Ashinaga Africa Initiative 2027 for Young African Leaders. The Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) is an international leadership program that cultivates the next generation of leaders to contribute to the development of sub-Saharan Africa.

AAI Scholars have lost one or both parents and are committed to returning to sub-Saharan Africa to initiate change, innovation, and development. The AAI provides financial support for international university degrees, leadership training, and support to develop Scholars into compassionate change-makers.

Benefits

• Ashinaga support covers tuition, accommodation, travel costs, and other necessary fees.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Have lost one or both parents.
• Are citizens of one of the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Seychelles, Chad and Togo.
• Have obtained their bachelor’s degree or are currently in L3 (and will have done so by June at the latest).
• Do not have the financial means to do a Master’s degree in France.
• Are fluent in French.
• Have obtained an average of over 14/20 in the baccalauréat or over 75% in the state exam.
• Have obtained excellent marks in their bachelor’s degree.
• Can participate in the online sessions organized as part of the Orientation Program from October to December. This means that the student has access to a computer and a stable connection for a few hours a week.
• Are committed tò returning home or elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, to actively contribute to African society after graduation.
• Have no dependents to interfere with their studies.
• Are in good health́ and able to study internationally.

Eligible Countries: Applicants must have citizenship and have completed/are completing high school in one of the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Seychelles, Chad and Togo.

Application

This is a list of the documents you will need to submit as part of your application:

• A passport-sized photo.
• A copy of your passport or identity card
• A copy of your birth certificate/extract.
• A copy of your parent(s) death or disappearance certificate, or any alternative official document bearing the name of the deceased, proving death or orphan status.
• Copy of baccalaureate certificate or other proof of completion of secondary education, and examination transcript (with detailed marks in each subject).
• Proof of enrolment and transcripts of grades obtained at university to date.
• Optional: copies of certificates of extracurricular activities, training, employment or other commitments.

Click here for Francophone Application
Click here for Lusophone Application

For more information, visit AAI.