MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development in Africa 2026 

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Scholarship Summary (Quick Overview)

The MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development in Africa is a Pan-African postgraduate scholarship designed to develop young African leaders with a strong continental mindset. Launched in 2017, the programme enables African students to pursue Honours or Master’s degrees in an African country other than their home country, fostering cross-border cooperation, leadership, and integration across the continent.

MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development

Scholarship Name:

MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development in Africa

Host/University/Organization:

Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS)

Level of Study:
Postgraduate

• Honours Degree

• Master’s Degree

Value/Benefits:
(Coverage depends on whether a partial or full scholarship is awarded)

• Tuition fees

• Accommodation and meals

• One return flight ticket for the duration of study

• Fixed living stipend

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants must:

• Be a citizen of an African country and residing in Africa

• Be accepted to study at a MINDS preferred institution outside their home country

• Be accepted to commence postgraduate studies within the next academic year

• Have obtained at least 70% in each course over the last two years of study

• Demonstrate strong leadership ability or potential

• Submit a complete online application with all required documents

Eligible Institutions (Preferred Universities):

Available across East, West, North, and Southern Africa, including:

• African Leadership University (Rwanda & Mauritius)

• University of Cape Town (South Africa)

• University of Witwatersrand (South Africa)

• University of Ghana (Ghana)

• University of Ibadan (Nigeria)

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

• Makerere University (Uganda)

• Cairo University (Egypt)
  (and several others across Africa)

Application Deadline:

Not fixed — applications are processed on a rolling basis
(Apply as soon as official university admission is received)

How to Apply:

• Secure admission to a MINDS preferred institution outside your home country

• Complete the online MINDS Scholarship application form

• Upload all required documents in PDF format (max 2MB per file), including:

  • Passport bio-data page

  • Academic transcripts (last two years)

  • Official university acceptance letter

  • CV/Resume (max 4 pages)

  • Two reference letters

  • Study permit/visa (optional)

Additional Notes/Requirements:

• Scholarship is highly competitive

• Strong preference for candidates with a Pan-African outlook

• Leadership potential and academic excellence are critical

• Limited slots for South African institutions

• Priority fields include Actuarial Science, Business Sciences, and Accounting

• Incomplete applications are automatically disqualified

For more information and application: 

Visit the official website of the MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development in Africa 2026

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