The Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) Postgraduate Scholarship Programme 2025

For Leadership Development – Funded
Application Deadline: Ongoing

Overview

The MINDS Scholarship Programme enables African students to pursue postgraduate studies in an African country other than their home country. By immersing themselves in different cultural and academic environments, scholars develop a Pan-African perspective and leadership skills to promote continental cooperation, economic integration, and sustainable development.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, applicants must:

• Be a national of an African country, residing in any African country.
• Have formal acceptance from at least one MINDS preferred institution outside their country of citizenship/residence.
• Be accepted for postgraduate studies (Honours or Master’s) starting in the upcoming academic year.
• Have obtained at least 70% in each subject/course in the last two completed years of study.
• Demonstrate leadership abilities or potential (as guided in the application form).
• Submit a complete online application with all supporting documents.

Scholarship Coverage

Depending on whether a partial or full scholarship is awarded, it may cover:

• Tuition fees
• Accommodation & meals
• One return air ticket (per duration of study)
• A fixed stipend

Programme Details

• Open to full-time Honours or Master’s degrees (1–2 years) at MINDS preferred institutions.
• No restriction on the field of study.
• Includes tailored leadership development activities.

Preferred Institutions

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

• University of Ibadan, Nigeria
• 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

Application Procedure

Applications are processed as they are received. Interested candidates should apply once they have an official acceptance letter from a MINDS preferred institution.

Required Documents (PDF, max. 2MB each):

1. Passport bio/data page.
2. Certified academic transcripts/results from the last 2 years.
3. Official university acceptance letter stating:
   • Applicant’s name
   • Degree accepted for
   • Start date of academic year
   • Duration of course
4. Valid study permit/visa or proof of application (optional).
5. Detailed CV (max. 4 single-sided pages).
6. Two reference letters (max. 3 pages each) assessing integrity, leadership potential, and commitment to Africa’s development.

For More Information & Application:
🔗 Visit the Official MINDS Scholarship Webpage