Ashinaga Africa Initiative 2027: Fully Funded Master's Opportunity for Francophone African Students

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Applications are open for the Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) 2027 Orientation Programme, a pathway through which selected Francophone African students may eventually receive full financial support to pursue a Master's degree in France.

The programme targets academically strong students who have lost one or both parents, lack the financial means to study in France and demonstrate the potential to become leaders capable of contributing to development in sub-Saharan Africa.

Application deadline: 30 August 2026 at 23:59 GMT.

The official 2027 application form is currently live.

An important point: this is a two-stage opportunity

Applicants should understand how the current process works.

Submitting the form does not immediately award an Ashinaga scholarship.

Successful applicants first join the Ashinaga Africa Initiative Orientation Programme, which runs mainly online from September 2026 to June 2027.

During this period, Ashinaga provides academic and professional orientation, mentoring, application support and preparation for the next stage.

The live application states clearly that only some participants will ultimately be selected for the full AAI scholarship, with that decision expected in June 2027.

What happens during the Orientation Programme?

Participants are expected to receive support including:

• academic orientation to identify appropriate Master's programmes;

• personalised coaching for university applications;

• mentoring;

• leadership development;

• communication and professional-skills training;

• support with international university applications;

• preparation for required tests such as DALF;

• coverage of certain examination and application costs;

• internet-related support connected with the Orientation Programme; and

• access to information about alternative scholarships even if the participant does not eventually receive the full Ashinaga scholarship.

The Orientation Programme is planned to run from September 2026 until June 2027, mainly online.

Ashinaga is also considering a two-week in-person meeting in Dakar, Senegal for participants. Applicants are asked in the application form to indicate when they would or would not be available for such a meeting.

What does the full Ashinaga scholarship cover?

The Ashinaga Africa Initiative describes its financial support as covering:

• tuition fees;

• accommodation;

• travel costs; and

• other necessary study-related expenses.

However, the current 2027 Francophone application materials do not publish a fixed monthly stipend amount or a detailed monetary value for every benefit.

Who can apply for the 2027 Francophone programme?

According to the live 2027 application, applicants must meet a fairly strict set of conditions.

They must:

• have lost their father, mother or both parents;

• be a citizen of an eligible Francophone African country;

• have obtained their Bachelor's degree in 2026, or be due to complete it no later than June 2027;

• have been born after 1 September 2001;

• lack the financial means to pursue a Master's degree in France;

• be fluent in French;

• have scored above 14/20 in the Baccalauréat or above 75% in the State Examination;

• have achieved excellent grades during their Bachelor's programme;

• be able to participate in regular online Orientation Programme sessions between September 2026 and June 2027;

• have access to a computer and stable internet connection;

• be committed to returning to their home country or elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa after graduation;

• have no dependants who would interfere with their studies; and

• be healthy enough to study internationally.

There are no exceptions to the eligibility criteria, according to Ashinaga's official FAQ.

Eligible countries

The live 2027 application currently lists applicants from:

Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Francophone Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Seychelles, Chad and Togo.

What Master's subjects can you study?

This is another important area where applicants need to be careful.

The 2027 application states that Ashinaga does not support Master's study in health-related fields, including:

• Medicine;

• Pharmacy;

• Dentistry/Odontology;

• Veterinary Sciences;

• Public Health;

• Biomedicine; and

• related health disciplines.

Candidates who previously studied in one of these areas may still be considered if they intend to switch to an eligible Master's discipline, such as Engineering or another supported field.

Do you need to already have admission to a French university?

No.

You do not need an existing French university admission before applying.

Ashinaga helps successful Orientation Programme participants develop their study plans and prepare university applications.

The eventual university is discussed with the student during the Ashinaga Study Camp, but Ashinaga retains the final decision on university placement based on factors such as:

• academic performance;

• suitability of the programme;

• availability of the desired course; and

• the student's long-term objectives.

What if you already have admission in France?

You may still be able to apply.

Ashinaga states that a candidate who already has an admission offer from a French university may apply where the university provides a tuition-fee exemption.

The current application also asks candidates whether they have:

• previously applied to universities in France;

• applied through Campus France;

• already obtained a French university admission offer; or

• applied for or received another scholarship.

Applicants should answer these questions truthfully.

Required documents

Applicants should prepare the following before starting:

1. A passport-sized photograph.

2. A copy of a passport or national identity card.

3. Birth certificate or official birth extract.

4. Proof that one or both parents are deceased or missing.

5. Baccalauréat certificate or other proof of secondary-school completion.

6. Detailed secondary-school examination transcript.

7. Proof of current university enrolment.

8. All available university transcripts.

9. Optional certificates covering extracurricular activities, training, employment, volunteering or other engagements.

Ashinaga accepts alternatives where an applicant does not possess a conventional death certificate. These may include an official court document, affidavit or letter from a recognised local-government authority proving the parent's death or the applicant's orphan status.

Applicants must provide detailed academic information

The application goes beyond simply uploading a transcript.

Candidates are asked to enter:

• their Baccalauréat/State Examination subjects and grades;

• university name;

• degree programme;

• year of study;

• semester-by-semester results;

• anticipated graduation date;

• annual tuition costs;

• how their present studies are financed; and

• details of scholarships, family assistance or employment currently supporting them.

The form also asks whether the candidate could realistically complete their existing degree given their current financial circumstances.

This makes clear that financial need forms an important part of the assessment.

Family and financial circumstances

Applicants are asked about:

• when and how their parent or parents died;

• their parents' occupation and income before death;

• their guardian;

• the guardian's health;

• siblings;

• relatives living abroad;

• financial or material support received from other people; and

• how the applicant contributes financially or otherwise to their family or community.

Applicants should provide accurate information rather than attempting to make their financial situation appear worse than it is.

Short-answer questions

The live application includes several 200-word questions designed to assess leadership and career direction.

Applicants are asked to discuss:

• a situation in which they demonstrated leadership and initiative;

• their leadership activities or other major accomplishments; and

• what Master's field they want to study and why.

Strong answers will need to provide concrete examples rather than generic statements such as “I want to become a leader.”

Application essays

The current application contains three substantial essay questions, each with a maximum of about 500 words.

Applicants are asked to address:

Essay 1 — Your personal story

Explain your background, current circumstances and important challenges you have faced.

Essay 2 — How you responded

Explain the actions you have taken to overcome those challenges.

Essay 3 — Your contribution to Africa

Identify a real problem in your community and explain how you intend to help solve it after your studies, including how participation in the Ashinaga Africa Initiative would help you achieve that goal.

These questions show that Ashinaga is evaluating much more than grades.

It wants applicants who can demonstrate resilience, initiative, leadership and a credible plan for contributing to African development.

Video requirement

The live form also contains a video prompt asking the applicant, in no more than three minutes, to describe:

• the person they hope to become;

• what motivates them;

• the future they hope to build through their education; and

• the change they want to bring to their community, country or Africa.

How are applicants selected?

The current 2027 application describes four major stages:

1. Application review

Ashinaga assesses applicants based on:

• academic ability;

• leadership potential;

• community engagement; and

• alignment with the mission of the Ashinaga Africa Initiative.

2. Video assessment

Shortlisted applicants may be asked to provide a video so that Ashinaga can assess their motivation and communication skills.

3. Individual interview

Selected applicants proceed to an interview examining their:

• personal background;

• aspirations;

• academic plans;

• leadership potential; and

• professional objectives.

4. Final decision

Successful candidates are informed of the next steps for joining the Orientation Programme.

The general Ashinaga page also states that final assessments may include an examination and interviews. Applicants invited to the final assessment must bring original identification and academic documents.

How many students are selected?

This is a very competitive programme.

Ashinaga says it generally has the resources to accept about one student from a country in a given year, and it cannot guarantee that every eligible country will have a scholar selected each year.

Meeting the eligibility criteria therefore only allows a student to compete; it does not guarantee selection.

What happens after the Orientation Programme?

Participation in the Orientation Programme runs from approximately September 2026 to June 2027.

During this period, students work on their:

• academic plans;

• Master's applications;

• language qualifications;

• career objectives;

• leadership development; and

• university placement.

Ashinaga states that the decision on which participants receive the full AAI scholarship will be made in June 2027.

Applicants should also note that obtaining the visa and completing university enrolment remain the student's responsibility, although Ashinaga provides guidance and support.

Returning to Africa is central to the programme

Ashinaga is not simply looking for students who want an overseas degree.

Its broader objective is to develop young leaders who will return to sub-Saharan Africa and contribute to social and economic development.

Scholars are expected to return after completing their studies and begin developing their careers, projects or initiatives in Africa.

Candidates should therefore have a credible answer to questions such as:

• What problem in my community do I want to solve?

• Why is a Master's degree necessary?

• What skills do I need?

• What will I actually do after returning?

• Who will benefit from my work?

How to apply

Applications for the 2027 Francophone Orientation Programme are completed entirely online.

There is no application fee.

Applicants should never pay an agent, consultant or individual to submit the application for them.

Direct application

Apply for the Ashinaga Africa Initiative 2027 Francophone Programme

Official Ashinaga application information

Ashinaga Africa Initiative – Official Application Page

Applicants having difficulty with the Francophone application may contact Ashinaga at admissions.fr@ashinaga.org.

Application steps

Before opening the form:

1. Check that you satisfy every eligibility condition.

2. Gather your identity and academic documents.

3. Obtain acceptable proof of your parent or parents' death or disappearance.

4. Scan documents clearly in PDF or JPG format.

5. Prepare your short answers and essays in advance.

6. Review your family and financial information carefully.

7. Complete the online application.

8. Upload all required documents.

9. Review the form before submitting.

10. Submit before 30 August 2026 at 23:59 GMT.

Ashinaga warns that documents submitted after the deadline will normally not be accepted unless prior permission has been given. Incomplete applications may therefore be eliminated.

Key dates

Application deadline: 30 August 2026, 23:59 GMT

Orientation Programme: September 2026 – June 2027

Possible Dakar meeting: approximately two weeks during the Orientation Programme; exact dates are not yet fixed.

Final full-scholarship selection: June 2027.

Final warning

The application and selection process are completely free.

Ashinaga explicitly states that anyone demanding payment to register, submit the application or secure selection is acting against the organisation's rules.