MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development in Africa 2025

The MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development in Africa was successfully launched in 2017, bringing to realisation our vision of developing young leaders who have a continent-wide development mindset and leaders who can facilitate greater cooperation between African countries.

The Scholarship Programme enables African students to study in an African country other than their home country and in this way immerse themselves in richness and diversity that the country and its communities has to offer. By broadening access to education, we see the expansion of openness to ideas and the creation of a network of like-minded leaders who will help promote the performance and tangible progress of our continent. There is no doubt that a more integrated African economy of global scale will accelerate growth, generate positive outcomes and benefit all its communities.

• Table of Content
• About Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS)
• MINDS Postgraduate Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of MINDS Postgraduate Scholarship
• Requirements for MINDS Postgraduate Scholarship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for MINDS Postgraduate Scholarship
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS)

The Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) is an Africa-wide think tank which provides an inclusive platform for dialogue, information dissemination and networking. Our programmes are underpinned by rigorous research into all aspects of African Heritage, in order to shape policy and practice on critical issues of governance, integrated economic development and the evolution of African institutions. Through our programmes we seek to address the short, medium, and long-term developmental challenges facing Africa in a holistic and comprehensive manner.... continue reading

MINDS Postgraduate Scholarship

Application Deadline	Not Specified
Type	Postgraduate
Sponsor	Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS)
Gender	Men and Women

Aim and Benefits of MINDS Postgraduate Scholarship

The Scholarship will cover some or all of the expenses below, depending on whether a partial or full scholarship is awarded:

• Tuition
• Accommodation and meals
• One return ticket per duration of studies
• A fixed stipend.

Requirements for MINDS Postgraduate Scholarship Qualification

MINDS Scholarships are awarded to meritorious applicants following a rigorous selection process.  To be considered for a MINDS Scholarship, you must:

• Be a national of an African country, residing in any African country
• Have been formally accepted by one or more MINDS preferred institution/s outside of your country of citizenship and/ or residency
• Have been formally accepted by one or more MINDS preferred institution/s to pursue postgraduate studies within the following year
• Have obtained at least 70% in each subject/ course in the last two completed years of study
• Produce evidence of demonstrated leadership abilities or potential guided by the questions/ requirements set out in the application form
• Submit a complete online application form (see below) with the required supporting documentation.

Interview date, Process and Venue for MINDS Postgraduate Scholarship

Selection Criteria

To be eligible to receive a MINDS Scholarship, an applicant must have been accepted to study at one of the following institutions:

EAST AFRICA

• African Leadership University, Rwanda
• Carnegie Mellon University in Rwanda, Rwanda
• Makerere University, Uganda
• Strathmore University, Kenya

SOUTHERN AFRICA

• African Leadership University, Mauritius
• University of Cape Town, South Africa
• University of Mauritius, Mauritius
• University of Witwatersrand, South Africa

NORTH AFRICA

• Al Akhawayn University, Morocco
• Université Cadi Ayyad, Morocco
• Université Mohammed V, Morocco

WEST AFRICA

• Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Ghana
• Pan-Atlantic University (Lagos Business School), Nigeria
• University of Development Studies, Ghana

Documents Required for Application

 All documents uploaded must be in PDF format. Each attachment should not exceed 2MB in size.

• A copy of the data/ bio page of your passport.
• A certified academic transcript/ results slip of the last two years of study.
• A copy of the official acceptance letter from the university. The letter must:
  • Be addressed to the applicant.
  • State the degree which the applicant has been accepted to study.
  • State the academic year at which the degree will commence.
  • State the duration of the course (e.g. one year).
• A copy of a valid study permit or visa OR proof of application. (Optional)
• A detailed CV/ Resume of not more than four (4) single sided pages.
• Two reference letters (of not more than 3 pages each) addressing the applicant’s demonstration of integrity, their competency and/or potential as a leader and their commitment to the development of the African continent

Check also:
Commonwealth Master's Scholarship to Study in UK 2027/2028
Wageningen University Masters Scholarship to Study in Netherlands 2027/2028

Application Deadline

Not Specified

How to Apply

For more details,visit MINDS Scholarship webpage