Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) 2027: Full Scholarship for Orphaned Students to Study Abroad
The Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) is now accepting applications for its 2027 intake, offering orphaned students from sub-Saharan Africa full financial support to complete an undergraduate degree abroad. The scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, travel costs, and other essential fees, giving academically strong students who have lost one or both parents a genuine pathway to higher education overseas.
Before you start preparing an application, there is one critical update every applicant needs to know first.
Important Update: Application Process Has Changed for Anglophone Countries
Since August 2024, Ashinaga no longer accepts direct applications from students in Anglophone countries. Instead, the organisation now partners directly with selected high schools in each Anglophone country to identify and select eligible students. This means students from Anglophone countries, including most of Southern and Eastern Africa, cannot apply to the AAI online and should instead check whether their high school has been selected as an Ashinaga partner institution.
Applications remain open only for students from Francophone and Lusophone countries.
- Francophone applicants apply through the official online form
- Lusophone applicants apply through Ashinaga Brasil’s platform
This guide focuses on the requirements and process for Francophone applicants, since that is where the AAI’s open application route currently applies.
What Is the Ashinaga Africa Initiative?
The Ashinaga Africa Initiative began in 2014 with a mission to contribute to sub-Saharan Africa’s expanding role in global development by increasing access to higher education abroad. The programme supports orphaned students who are committed to returning home and initiating change, by fully funding an undergraduate degree at a university overseas. Support covers tuition, accommodation, travel costs, and other necessary fees for the full duration of study.
Who Can Apply (Francophone Track)
To be eligible for the Francophone application route, you must meet every one of the following requirements:
- Have lost one or both parents
- Hold citizenship of one of the eligible Francophone countries listed below
- Have obtained your bachelor’s degree, or currently be in your third year of a bachelor’s programme (L3), with completion expected by June at the latest
- Not have the financial means to pursue a master’s degree in France
- Be fluent in French
- Have obtained an average of over 14/20 in the baccalauréat, or over 75% in your national state exam
- Have achieved excellent marks throughout your bachelor’s degree
- Be able to participate in online Orientation Program sessions from October to December, which requires access to a computer and a stable internet connection for a few hours each week
- Be committed to returning to your home country, or elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, to actively contribute to African society after graduation
- Have no dependents that would interfere with your studies
- Be in good health and able to study internationally
Eligible Francophone Countries
Applicants must hold citizenship of, and have completed or be completing high school in, one of the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Seychelles, Chad, and Togo.
Required Documents
Gather the following documents before starting your application:
- A passport-sized photo
- A copy of your passport or identity card
- A copy of your birth certificate or birth extract
- A copy of your parent’s or parents’ death certificate, or an alternative official document proving death or orphan status
- A copy of your baccalauréat certificate, or other proof of completion of secondary education, along with your detailed examination transcript
- Proof of university enrolment and transcripts of grades obtained to date
- Optional: certificates of extracurricular activities, training, employment, or other relevant commitments
How to Apply
Applications for the AAI are submitted entirely online. There is no application fee, and Ashinaga is explicit that applicants should never pay anyone to apply or to apply on their behalf.
- Gather all required documents listed above
- Scan or photograph each document in PDF or JPG format
- Complete the online application form for Francophone applicants
- Submit your application, which is then reviewed after the deadline
If you experience difficulties completing the online form, contact Ashinaga directly at admissions.fr@ashinaga.org.
What Happens After You Apply
All applications are assessed after the deadline, and successful applicants are invited to a final assessment stage. During this stage, Ashinaga conducts individual interviews to understand each candidate’s personal motivations and career goals within sub-Saharan Africa. Applicants must bring all original academic and identification documents to this interview, since failure to do so may result in disqualification from the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many students are selected per country? Ashinaga prioritises quality over quantity and invests significant resources in accepted students. As a result, the organisation typically selects around one student per country per year, and cannot guarantee a selection from every country annually.
Why is the scholarship only for orphans? Ashinaga’s focus on orphaned students is rooted in its founder’s personal history of losing his mother, and the organisation has maintained this focus throughout its work.
Can exceptions be made to the eligibility criteria? No. Ashinaga maintains fairness and consistency by applying the same eligibility standards to every applicant without exception.
How is my university in France decided? This is decided during the Ashinaga Study Camp for selected students, in consultation with the student, though the final decision rests with Ashinaga. Academic grades and course availability both factor into the decision.
If I applied last year, can I apply again? Yes, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements, you are welcome to reapply.
I don’t have one of the required documents. What should I do? Proof of age and proof of a parent’s death are essential. If you don’t have a death certificate, other official documents such as a court record, affidavit, or an official letter from a local government official may be accepted instead.
Can I combine an existing French scholarship with Ashinaga’s support? No. Ashinaga’s financial support cannot be combined with other similar scholarships. If you already hold a scholarship covering equivalent or greater living expenses, Ashinaga can only offer leadership support instead.
I already have an admission offer from a French university for September. Can I still apply? Yes. If you have an admission offer from a French university that includes a tuition fee exemption, you are encouraged to apply.
Final Thoughts
The Ashinaga Africa Initiative remains one of the most comprehensive scholarship pathways available to orphaned African students, covering tuition, accommodation, and travel in full for an entire undergraduate degree abroad. If you are a Francophone applicant meeting the academic and eligibility criteria, gather your documents early and apply through the official online form. If you are from an Anglophone country, check directly with your high school to find out whether it has been selected as an Ashinaga partner institution, since the direct application route is no longer available to you.
Apply now (Francophone applicants): eu.jotform.com/AshinagaAAI Questions? Contact: admissions.fr@ashinaga.org
Visit the official website to apply
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