Apply for the MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development in Africa. Study in a different African country and develop as a Pan-African leader. Open to postgraduate students with leadership potential.

The Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) is now accepting applications for its prestigious Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development in Africa. This unique initiative is designed to nurture a new generation of Pan-African leaders committed to the development and integration of the African continent.

Launched in 2017, the MINDS Scholarship enables students to pursue postgraduate studies at accredited institutions in African countries other than their own. This cross-border education model offers a rich cultural immersion while encouraging the formation of a continent-wide network of visionary leaders.

What the MINDS Scholarship Offers

MINDS provides full or partial scholarships for full-time Honours or Master’s degrees at selected African universities. Coverage may include:

• Tuition fees

• Accommodation and meals

• One return flight during the study period

• A fixed stipend

Beyond funding, selected scholars participate in tailored leadership development activities, ensuring they emerge not only as subject matter experts, but also as agents of continental change.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for a MINDS Scholarship, you must:

• Be a citizen of any African country and reside in Africa

• Have secured acceptance into one or more MINDS preferred institutions outside your country of origin or residence

• Plan to pursue postgraduate studies in the upcoming academic year

• Have scored at least 70% in each subject/course in your last two academic years

• Demonstrate leadership potential or experience

• Submit a complete online application with all supporting documentation

Required Documents

Before applying, prepare the following (all documents must be in PDF format and under 2MB each):

• Passport bio/data page

• Certified academic transcripts (last 2 years)

• Official university acceptance letter

• Valid study permit or visa (or proof of application) – optional

• CV (max 4 pages)

• Two reference letters (max 3 pages each)

Preferred Institutions

MINDS applicants must be accepted to one of the following universities:

East Africa

• African Leadership University (Rwanda)

• Carnegie Mellon University in Rwanda

• Makerere University (Uganda)

• Strathmore University (Kenya)

• Universidade de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde)

• Université Libre de Kigali (Rwanda)

Southern Africa

• African Leadership University (Mauritius)

• University of Cape Town (South Africa)

• University of Mauritius (Mauritius)

• University of Witwatersrand (South Africa)

• Universidade Agostinho Neto (Angola)

North Africa

• Al Akhawayn University (Morocco)

• Université Cadi Ayyad (Morocco)

• Université Mohammed V (Morocco)

• Cairo University (Egypt)

• Ain Shams University (Egypt)

• Alexandria University (Egypt)

• Assiut University (Egypt)

West Africa

• Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (Ghana)

• Pan-Atlantic University / Lagos Business School (Nigeria)

• University of Development Studies (Ghana)

• Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny (Ivory Coast)

• Cheikh Anta Diop University (Senegal)

• University of Ghana (Ghana)

• University of Ibadan (Nigeria)

Tips for a Successful Application

• Submit all documents in the correct format and size—applications missing documents are disqualified automatically.

• Clearly demonstrate your Pan-African outlook, leadership skills, and academic excellence.

• Consider applying to institutions outside of South Africa for a better chance of selection.

• There are dedicated scholarships for Actuarial Sciences, Business Sciences, and Accounting.

How to Apply

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submissions are encouraged. You can access the online application and full details on the official website:

Apply here for the MINDS Scholarship

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