2025 Ashinaga Africa Initiative in Francophone and Lusophone countries is now open(Fully-funded Undergraduate degree aborad)

The Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) is dedicated to empowering orphaned students from sub-Saharan Africa by providing access to higher education abroad. Since its inception in 2014, AAI has contributed to the region’s development by helping students gain the knowledge and skills to lead positive change in their home countries. The program offers full financial support, covering tuition, accommodation, travel costs, and other necessary fees, for students to pursue undergraduate studies at international universities.

Learn More About the Ashinaga Africa Initiative

How to Apply

Announcement: New Application Process for Anglophone Countries
As of August 2024, applications for the Ashinaga Africa Initiative will no longer be open for students in Anglophone countries. Instead, we will collaborate directly with select high schools in each Anglophone country to identify eligible students. This adjustment is intended to streamline the process and provide more targeted support.

Applications remain open for students from Francophone and Lusophone countries:

• Francophone Deadline: 31st December 2024 (12:00 GMT)
• Lusophone Deadline: 18th October 2024 (12:00 GMT)

To apply, use the following links:

• Francophone Application
• Lusophone Application

Francophone Application Requirements (2025)

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Have lost one or both parents.
• Hold citizenship and have completed or will complete secondary school in one of the following countries: 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, or Togo.
• Have completed secondary school and obtained baccalaureate results (technical and vocational degrees are not accepted).
• Be regularly ranked in the top 10% of their class in their last two to three years of secondary school or university.
• Have no means to attend university abroad without external financial support.
• Be proficient in French.
• Be able to participate in Ashinaga’s two preparatory programs for one year before university (unless they have received an admission offer from a French university that applies tuition fee exemption).
• Be committed to returning to sub-Saharan Africa to contribute to society after graduating.
• Have no dependents.
• Be in good health to study abroad.

Note: Ashinaga does not support students wishing to study medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or pharmacy but can fund biomedicine degrees. Engineering applicants must have exceptionally high grades to be considered.

Required Documents (2025)

Applicants must submit the following:

For Applicant Registration:

1. Photo or scan of Passport, National ID Card, or Birth Certificate.
2. Death or disappearance certificate of parent(s) or an alternative official document proving orphan status.
3. Last year’s high school transcript.
4. Baccalaureate certificate or proof of secondary school completion (if applicable).
5. University grades (if applicable).

For Full Application:

1. Passport-sized photo.
2. Passport or ID card.
3. Birth certificate/extract.
4. Death or disappearance certificate of parent(s).
5. School transcripts from the last two years of high school.
6. Baccalaureate certificate and transcript.
7. University registration and grades (if applicable).
8. Letter of recommendation from a teacher.
9. Optional: Certificates of extracurricular activities, training, employment, etc.

Eligible Countries (2025)

Applicants must hold citizenship and have completed or are completing high school in one of the following countries:
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, and Togo.

Selection Process (2025)

Once applications close, selected candidates will be invited for an interview and final assessment. Ashinaga will assess applicants on their personal motivations and career goals. Successful candidates must bring original academic and identification documents to the interview.

How to Apply for the AAI

1. Step 1: Gather all required documents.
2. Step 2: Scan or take photos of the documents in PDF or JPG format.
3. Step 3: Apply online.
4. Step 4: Complete your application.

If you encounter issues, please email us at: admissions.fr@ashinaga.org. There is no application fee, and you should never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

FAQ

How many students are selected per country?
We select about one student per country per year to ensure sustainability and provide quality support.

Why is the scholarship only for orphans?
Ashinaga was founded to support orphans, inspired by the founder’s personal experience of losing a parent.

Can exceptions be made to the eligibility criteria?
No. To maintain fairness, exceptions are not allowed.

How will my university in France be decided?
It will be determined at the Ashinaga Study Camp, with the final decision based on academic grades and course availability.

Can I apply again if I applied last year?
Yes, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.

What if I don’t have one of the required documents?
You must provide all required documents, especially proof of age and parent status. If a death certificate is unavailable, other official documents may be considered.

What is the registration form for?
It allows us to verify eligibility and academic performance. Only eligible candidates will be invited to submit a full application.

What is assessed during the interview?
Knowledge, challenges faced, future planning, and initiative are evaluated through exams and interviews.

Can I combine the Ashinaga scholarship with another scholarship?
No, Ashinaga’s financial support cannot be combined with other scholarships.

Can I still apply if I already have admission in France?
Yes, if your admission includes a tuition fee exemption, you can apply.

 

FIND OUT MORE HERE https://www.ashinaga.org/en/our-work/ashinaga-africa-initiative/apply-to-the-aai/