Education in Africa carries women along, just like their male counterparts. However, education can be expensive. While some women can afford the tuition and other miscellaneous, other undergraduates do find it difficult to meet up. The good news is that there are lots of undergraduate scholarships for African female students. So, if you are a talented African female student with a solid GPA, there is an opportunity for you to study for free.
Undergraduate Scholarships for African Female Students 2024-25
I have manually checked with many scholarship givers to know about their availability. In the end, these are the active undergraduate scholarships for African female students.
1. Zawadi Africa Education Fund
This education fund is meant to help academically gifted girls from low-income families in Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, and Ghana. It provides them with the opportunity to pursue higher education in the U.S.A., Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya.
As a female student, you are already eligible for the Zawadi Africa Education Fund. However, you need to meet other eligibility requirements such as:
- Scored an A or A- in your secondary school exams
- Show leadership in school or community
- Come from a financially challenged background, and
- Have completed high school within the last 2 years before applying.
2. International Higher Education Scholarship Program
The Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) offers the International Higher Education Scholarship Program. It’s open to citizens from South Africa, the Ivory Coast, and Eswatini. This program includes fully funded undergraduate scholarships for African female students covering return airfare, housing, tuition, insurance, textbooks, and a monthly allowance.
3. CASNR Undergraduate Scholarship Program (CUSP) 2024-25
We also have the CASNR Undergraduate Scholarship Program—Rwandan citizens are eligible for this scholarship. The CASNR Undergraduate Scholarship Program (CUSP) offers up to 50 students a chance to study at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR).
I found that this scholarship focuses on Integrated Science, including conservation agriculture, entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation. Graduates must commit five years to Rwanda’s agricultural sector. The scholarship covers tuition, fees, living expenses, and travel.
4. The Tunisia Undergraduate Scholarship Program
Being part of the U.S. Department of State’s Thomas Jefferson Scholarship Program, the Tunisia Undergraduate Scholarship Program, is tailored for Tunisian citizens. It provides fully funded undergraduate scholarships for African female students for one-year non-degree undergraduate studies in the U.S. at accredited institutions. The aim is to immerse participants in American culture and equip them with skills and knowledge for Tunisia’s economic growth.
5. Ashinaga Africa Initiative 2024
Launched in 2014, the Ashinaga Africa Initiative focuses on nurturing a new generation of leaders for long-term development in Sub-Saharan Africa. This undergraduate scholarship for African female students provides the chance to study at international universities, along with extensive support during their education. Graduates are expected to return to Sub-Saharan Africa and positively contribute to their communities.
Eligibility requires experiencing the loss of one or both parents, completing 12 years of education within the last two years, demonstrating academic excellence in high school, and a commitment to contributing to society in Sub-Saharan Africa post-graduation.
6. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
If you have a bank account with a debit or credit card, you probably have a Mastercard version. Now, this company also cares about female education in Africa. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, from my findings, is really interested in molding Africa’s future leaders. This foundation supports students with remarkable talent and potential but limited financial resources, offering a complete education.
The program focuses on developing transformational leaders to actively participate in their communities. Support includes financial aid for tuition, housing, books, and other educational materials, with the fields of study and degrees varying by institution.
7. The Wells Mountain Initiative Scholarships 2024
Students from developing countries, for both local and overseas University education, are provided need-based financial support by The Wells Mountain Initiative. Targeting driven individuals pursuing undergraduate degrees in resource-limited areas, it covers a wide range of fields, from medicine to engineering. Scholars must complete at least 100 hours of community service annually to maintain their scholarship, which ranges from $300 to $3000 yearly, averaging $1500.
8. Tomorrow’s Leaders Scholarship Program
So, we also have the Tomorrow’s Leaders undergraduate scholarships for African female students. This one is sponsored by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) of the U.S. Department of State and AMIDEAST. The Tomorrow’s Leaders Scholarship program is open to motivated high school seniors from underserved backgrounds in the Middle East and North Africa.
The program offers 4-year scholarships and internships at the American University of Beirut and the Lebanese American University. It is designed for students with leadership potential and includes travel, academic fees for four years, a U.S. study abroad experience, insurance, housing, and a monthly allowance. Eligible countries include Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia.
9. University of Cape Town (South Africa): Klaus-Jürgen Bathe Leadership Program
The Klaus-Jürgen Bathe Leadership Scholarship, part of the undergraduate scholarships for African female students, is open to all undergraduates enrolled in any of the six faculties at the University of Cape Town. First-year students or those who have completed their first year and have at least two more years in their degree program can apply. The scholarship, lasting a minimum of two years, is not available for postgraduate students. While it primarily targets South African citizens, students from other sub-Saharan African countries are encouraged to apply. Non-South African applicants need to commit to staying in South Africa for at least 10 years post-studies. This scholarship provides full financial support of R120,000 per year, covering tuition, accommodation, meals, and allowances for books, stationery, and transport.
10. The Working to Advance Science and Technology Education for African Women (WAAW) Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship is for African female students pursuing undergraduate B.S. degrees in STEM fields at universities or colleges in Africa. Candidates must be currently enrolled, have a strong academic record, and demonstrate financial need.
11. Solomon Mahlangu Scholarship Fund – NYDA
The NYDA’s Solomon Mahlangu Scholarship Fund offers financial support to young people, especially those from rural areas, for quality education at higher learning institutions. It’s open to academically gifted South African females who meet the NYDA’s criteria and are admitted to public universities or universities of technology.
12. The Women Techmakers Scholars Program
Formerly known as the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship Program, this program provides 7,000 EUR (or local equivalent) scholarships to female undergraduate and graduate students. Selection is based on academic and leadership excellence. Eligible candidates are female students enrolled or planning to enroll in full-time or part-time Bachelor’s programs at universities in Europe, the Middle East, or Africa. More details are available on the Women Techmakers website.
13. University of Ghana, Legon (Ghana): Fondazione Edu Scholarship
Offered at the University of Ghana, the Fondazione Edu scholarship targets technical-scientific and agronomic disciplines. The dream behind this scholarship is to enable African students to pursue higher education within their home country. The scholarship includes tuition, books, room, and board for four years. Recipients need to maintain a minimum B average or 3.00 CGPA and demonstrate ongoing financial need. Students interested should begin their application process.
14. ACCES Post-Secondary Scholarship Program (Kenyan females only) 2024-25
One key initiative along the lines of scholarships is the ACCES Post-Secondary Scholarship Program, which provides partial scholarships to the most academically talented Kenyan females from disadvantaged backgrounds. It ensures these students can complete their entire course of study.
15. Jim Ovia Foundation Leaders Scholarship (Nigerians only)
Open to prospective Nigerian students at Nigerian institutions, the Jim Ovia Foundation Leaders Scholarship selects 100 awardees annually from a pool of qualified applicants.
Selection is based on intellectual capacity, leadership potential, and a commitment to contributing to society. Interested students should start their application on the official portal.
16. Joshua Nkomo Scholarship (Zimbabwean females)
The Joshua Nkomo Scholarship, exclusive to Zimbabwean citizens under 21, focuses mainly on STEM fields, with 70% of undergraduate scholarships for African female students dedicated to this area. The remaining 30% supports students in other disciplines. Applicants must have an excellent academic record, demonstrated leadership potential, and commitment to community engagement.
17. Mauritius Africa Scholarship Scheme (all African students)
All African students looking to study in Mauritius are free to apply for the Mauritius Africa Scholarship Scheme.
Eligibility criteria include being between 18 and 25 years old at the application deadline and having applied for a full-time on-campus program at a public tertiary institution in Mauritius for the academic year starting in 2018. The scholarship supports the entire duration of the program, up to four years.
Conclusion
So, here you go with the scholarships I handpicked and verified. The total number in the list is 17—that’s a lot of options for you to research and apply. Note that while these are specifically undergraduate scholarships for African female students, some of them also accept male applications. Try to apply to at least 10 of the scholarships to increase your chance of winning a scholarship as a female student in Africa.
Read also: Fully Funded Scholarships for African Students 2024
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Good job sir