MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development in Africa 2025

Omran Aburayya
Apr 25
2 min read

The Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development in Africa is a fully funded initiative aimed at nurturing young African leaders committed to the continent's progress. Launched in 2017, the programme offers postgraduate scholarships for African students to study in an African country other than their own, fostering cross-cultural exchange and a Pan-African development mindset. Applications are now open and here's everything you need to know about this exciting opportunity!

🎓 MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development in Africa in Overview

The MINDS Scholarship Programme supports full-time postgraduate studies (Honours or Master's degrees) at select African universities outside the applicant's home country. By immersing scholars in diverse cultural and academic environments, the programme aims to cultivate leaders who can facilitate greater cooperation and integration across African nations.

📚 Fields of Study

Applicants can pursue postgraduate studies in any field of their choice, provided they gain admission to one of the MINDS preferred institutions. The programme does not restrict fields of study, encouraging a wide range of academic pursuits aligned with the continent's development needs.

🧑🏻‍🎓 Preferred Institutions

To be eligible, applicants must have secured admission to one of the following MINDS preferred institutions:

East Africa:

African Leadership University, Rwanda
Carnegie Mellon University, 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 the 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 for Development Studies, Ghana

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Be a citizen of an African country and reside within the continent.
Have secured admission to a MINDS preferred institution outside their country of citizenship and/or residency.
Intend to commence postgraduate studies (Honours or Master's degree) in the upcoming academic year.
Have achieved a minimum of 70% in each subject/course over the last two years of study.
Demonstrate leadership abilities or potential, as outlined in the application form.

🎁 Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship covers some or all of the following expenses, depending on whether a partial or full scholarship is awarded:

Tuition fees
Accommodation and meals
One return ticket per duration of studies
A fixed stipend to cover personal expenses

📝 Application Process

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should:

1. Secure admission to a MINDS preferred institution.

2. Prepare the following documents:

A copy of the data/bio page of your passport.
Certified academic transcripts/results slips of the last two years of study.
An official acceptance letter from the university, detailing the degree, academic year, and duration.
A valid study permit or visa, or proof of application (optional).
A detailed CV/resume (maximum four pages).
Two reference letters (maximum three pages each) addressing the applicant's integrity, leadership competency, and commitment to Africa's development.

3. Submit a complete online application form, uploading all required documents in PDF format (each not exceeding 2MB).

ℹ️ For more information and to apply, visit the official MINDS Scholarship Programme page: [MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership]

APPLY NOW

🔗 OFFICIAL LINK