Zawadi Africa Education Fund Scholarship (Women)
About this scholarship
The Zawadi Africa Education Fund provides full university scholarship placements for academically gifted young women from Africa who come from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, with study destinations across the USA, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana and South Africa. Modeled on the historic Kennedy-Mboya airlifts, it has built a sisterhood of African women leaders since 2002.
Rather than a fixed cash award, Zawadi runs a nine-month preparation program of test coaching, essay support and leadership training, then places scholars into full scholarships at partner universities. Top national exam results, leadership and resilience drive selection, and applying is completely free. The annual window opens each February; Kenya’s 2026 round closed March 16.
Eligibility
- Young women from Africa, with active application offices in Kenya, Uganda and Ghana; study placements span the USA, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana and South Africa.
- Completed secondary school within roughly the last two years with top national examination results (for Kenya, an A or A- in KCSE; equivalent top grades elsewhere).
- Demonstrated leadership in school, community, faith settings or peer activities.
- Coming from a financially disadvantaged background, with need verified in the application.
- Resilience matters: the fund explicitly looks for young women who achieved excellence despite serious hardship such as poverty or harmful socio-cultural practices.
- Willingness to commit to a rigorous nine-month preparation programme before university applications.
- The programme is completely free; anyone asking for payment is a fraudster.
Benefits & Coverage
- Placement into full scholarships at partner universities in the USA and across Africa rather than a fixed cash award, following the model of the historic Kennedy-Mboya airlifts.
- Nine months of intensive coaching: standardized test preparation, application and essay support, and interview readiness.
- Leadership development and life-skills training that continues through university, building a pipeline of African women leaders.
- Mentorship and a sisterhood network of Zawadi scholars and alumnae across the continent and the diaspora since 2002.
- Support with travel and transition for scholars placed abroad.
- An each-one-teach-one culture in which scholars give back to the next cohorts.
Required Documents
- Online or downloadable application form from the Zawadi Africa website during the annual window.
- Biography and passport photograph.
- Academic certificates and transcripts, including national examination results.
- Recommendation letter and identification documents.
- Personal essay of about 500 to 650 words telling your story, leadership and goals.
- List of activities, honours and community service.
How to Apply
- Watch zawadiafrica.org from January, since the application window opens each February and closes between March and April by country (Kenya's 2026 deadline was March 16).
- Download or complete the application for your country office (Kenya, Uganda or Ghana) and answer every section truthfully and fully.
- Make your essay count: resilience, leadership and financial need are the heart of selection.
- Shortlisted candidates are interviewed before being admitted to the cohort.
- Join the nine-month preparation programme, sit the required tests and apply to partner universities with Zawadi's coaching.
- Accept the strongest scholarship placement offered and stay engaged with the network's leadership training through your degree.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zawadi Africa Education Fund Scholarship fully funded? +
This scholarship is listed as fully funded. The listed award is: Full scholarship placements plus nine months of coaching. Coverage can change between cycles, so confirm the details on the official page.
What degree levels does Zawadi Africa Education Fund Scholarship cover? +
This scholarship is listed for: Bachelor's.
When is the application deadline? +
The application deadline listed here is March 16, 2027. Deadlines move, so always verify the date on the official page before planning your application.
Who can apply? +
Key eligibility points from this listing: Young women from Africa, with active application offices in Kenya, Uganda and Ghana; study placements span the USA, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana and South Africa; Completed secondary school within roughly the last two years with top national examination results (for Kenya, an A or A- inโฆ See the Eligibility section above for the full requirements.
How do I apply? +
Apply directly through the official portal linked on this page. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, so treat any request for payment as a scam and use official channels only.
Answers are based on this scholarship's listed details. Always confirm on the official page.
