The Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) is a fully funded international leadership programme for talented young people who have lost one or both parents. The programme helps selected students access higher education abroad while also developing their leadership skills.
Also, Ashinaga covers tuition, accommodation, travel costs, and other necessary expenses. Scholars also receive leadership and academic support during their studies.
For more international opportunities, visit OpportunityLab Scholarships and OpportunityLab.
What Is the Ashinaga Africa Initiative?
The Ashinaga Africa Initiative 2026 is an international leadership programme created to support orphaned students from sub-Saharan Africa.
Therefore, selected students can study for a university degree abroad. In addition, the programme prepares participants to become future leaders who can contribute to development in their home countries.
Ashinaga has supported students at universities across Japan, Europe, the United States, and Brazil.
Who Is Eligible for the Ashinaga Africa Initiative?
Applicants for the current Francophone route must:
- Have lost one or both parents.
- Be a citizen of an eligible country.
- Have completed or be completing the required university level.
- Have strong academic results.
- Be fluent in French.
- Have limited financial means for the required study.
- Be able to participate in online orientation sessions.
- Be committed to contributing to sub-Saharan Africa after graduation.
- Have no dependants who would interfere with their studies.
- Be in good health and able to study internationally.
What Countries or Regions Are Eligible?
The current direct application route is open to applicants from Francophone and Lusophone countries. However, Ashinaga changed its process for Anglophone countries in August 2024. Students from those countries are no longer able to apply directly. Instead, Ashinaga works with selected high schools to identify candidates.
Eligible Francophone countries listed by Ashinaga include:
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.
What Does the Ashinaga Programme Cover?
The programme provides extensive financial support for successful candidates.
Ashinaga covers:
- University tuition
- Accommodation
- Travel costs
- Other necessary fees
- Academic support
- Leadership development
- Personal development support
Therefore, the programme aims to prepare scholars to create positive change in their communities after completing their studies.
For more fully funded opportunities, check OpportunityLab’s fully funded scholarships.
What Are the Academic Requirements?
Applicants must have strong academic results.
For the Francophone route, candidates must have obtained their bachelor’s degree or be studying at the L3 level and expect to complete it by June. They must also have excellent bachelor’s-level results.
In addition, applicants must have achieved an average above 14/20 in the baccalauréat or above 75% in the state examination.
What Documents Are Required?
Applicants should prepare the following documents:
- Passport-sized photograph.
- Passport or national identity card.
- Birth certificate or extract.
- Parent’s death or disappearance certificate, or another official document proving orphan status.
- Baccalaureate certificate or equivalent secondary-school qualification and transcript.
- University enrolment proof and academic transcripts.
- Optional certificates showing extracurricular activities, training, employment, or other commitments.
In addition, Applicants should keep the original documents because successful candidates must present original academic and identification documents during the final assessment.
When Is the Deadline?
Ashinaga’s current official application page does not state a specific application deadline for the current Francophone or Lusophone application route. The page only says that applications are assessed after the application deadline.
Therefore, applicants should check the official application form for the current closing date before submitting.
How Do I Apply for the Ashinaga Africa Initiative 2026?
Applications are completed online.
Applicants should:
- Gather the required documents.
- Scan or photograph the documents in PDF or JPG format.
- Complete the appropriate online application.
- Submit the application.
- Wait for the selection process.
Applicants who pass the initial assessment may be invited to a final assessment and interview.
Where Is the Official Application?
Ashinaga provides separate application routes for eligible Francophone and Lusophone applicants.
Francophone applicants: Apply through the official Ashinaga application form
For Lusophone applicants, Ashinaga directs candidates to Ashinaga Brasil.
Applicants should use only the official application channels.
Key Details
| Details | Information |
| Programme | Ashinaga Africa Initiative |
| Type | Fully funded leadership programme |
| Target group | Orphaned students from eligible African countries |
| Study location | Universities abroad |
| Tuition | Covered |
| Accommodation | Covered |
| Travel | Covered |
| Application fee | None |
| Direct applications | Francophone and Lusophone countries |
| Anglophone countries | Selected through partner high schools |
The Ashinaga Africa Initiative is more than a university funding programme. It also develops leadership, academic, and personal skills. Selected scholars are expected to use their education and experience to contribute to sub-Saharan Africa.
However, applicants should check the eligibility rules carefully. In particular, Anglophone-country applicants cannot currently submit direct applications, while Francophone and Lusophone applicants can use the routes provided by Ashinaga.
