List of $10,000 Undergraduate Scholarships for African Students in 2025

Why $10,000+ Scholarships Matter for African Undergrads, For many ambitious students across Africa, a $10,000 scholarship can be transformational. Whether covering tuition, textbooks, or living costs, this level of funding helps remove barriers and opens doors to:

• Elite universities in Canada, UK, USA, Australia, and beyond

• Opportunities to focus fully on studies without financial distractions

• Access to networking, research, and personal development

• A competitive edge for future jobs or graduate programs

What You’ll Find in This Guide

This multi-part guide will cover:

1. Overview & Eligibility – What to look for and how to prepare

2. Top Scholarships (Part 1) – International awards offering ≥ $10k

3. Top Scholarships (Part 2) – Africa-based and private funding

4. Application Strategies – Essays, rec letters, standardized tests

5. Prep & Launch – Deadlines, interviews, and scholarship success tips

This first section kicks off with eligibility criteria and our first scholarship profiles.

Eligibility Essentials for $10k Scholarships

While awards vary, here are common general requirements:

• Academic excellence (usually ≥ 3.5/4.0 GPA or equivalent)

• African citizenship, or heritage (some target specific countries)

• Full-time undergraduate admission to the host institution

• Clear career purpose or leadership potential

• Proof of English proficiency, like IELTS/TOEFL/GRE etc.

• Strong documents: transcripts, essays, CV/Resume, rec letters

Section 2: Top $10,000+ Scholarships (Part 1)

Below are scholarships offering $10,000 USD (or equivalent) for African undergraduates in 2025/2026. Full profiles span funding details, target groups, and application tips.

1. Schulich Leader Scholarships (Canada)

• Value: $100,000 CAD (~$73,000 USD) for STEM, $120k for Engineering 

• Eligibility:

  • African high-school students (via Canadian high-school nominating school)

  • Demonstrated STEM achievements, leadership, and financial need

• Coverage: Tuition plus enrichment funds

• Top tips:

  • Apply in final high-school year via your school

  • Highlight STEM projects, entrepreneurship, and community impact

2. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

• Value: Up to full tuition plus living costs—≈ $10,000–$35,000 USD/year 

• Eligibility:

  • Youth from Sub-Saharan African countries

  • Strong academic record, leadership skills, and financial need

• Coverage: Tuition, accommodation, mentorship, internship support

• Top tips:

  • Apply to partner universities (e.g., Toronto, Gondar, KNUST)

  • Highlight leadership and community development

  • Meet application deadlines (often May–July)

3. University of Manchester/Cowrie Foundation Scholarship (UK)

• Value: Varies, but often covers tuition + ~£10,000 stipend 

• Eligibility:

  • Black African applicants from underrepresented backgrounds

  • Strong academics and leadership record

• Coverage: Tuition waiver + stipend

• Top tips:

  • Apply to Manchester UG programs early (April deadlines)

  • Show leadership in community or innovation

4. University of Birmingham Africa High Fliers

• Value: £5,000 (~$6,300 USD) per year, renewable for 4 years 

• Eligibility:

  • Undergraduates from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa

  • Offer accepted, strong academics

• Coverage: Tuition reduction

• Top tips:

  • Secure your university offer and apply via local rep

  • Emphasize academics and potential

5. NNPC/OANDO JV Scholarship (Nigeria)

• Value: Covers up to ~$10,000 annually (tuition + allowances) 

• Eligibility:

  • Nigerian undergraduates, merit-based

• Coverage: Tuition + stipend

• Top tips:

  • Check Nigerian university portals around April

  • Highlight academic excellence, financial need

6. Dubai Government Excellence Program (DGEP)

(technically $10k+ scholarships open to some African students)

• Value: Covers tuition + monthly stipend (~$10k–15k USD)

• Eligibility:

  • High-performing international students under 25

• Coverage: Tuition, textbooks, housing support

• Top tips:

  • Apply directly through specified UAE universities

  • Local high-school recommendation may help

7. Ingressive for Good (I4G) Scholarships

• Value: Tech scholarships, laptops, mentorship support; content valued at >$10,000 

• Eligibility:

  • African students (undergraduate or final-year) pursuing technology, computer science, or digital skills programs

  • Limited financial access, strong interest in tech

• Coverage: Course fees, laptop grants, certification vouchers, inclusion in alumni and mentorship network

• Top tips:

  • Follow I4G’s announcements for Bootcamps (e.g. Marketing, Data, Web3)

  • Showcase tech passion, community engagement, and leadership

  • Prepare for certificate exams like Meta Digital Marketing Associate

8. Guinness Nigeria Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme

• Value: Full tuition + stipend (~₦200,000/year ≈ $450) for 4 years in Nigerian public higher institutions 

• Eligibility:

  • 1st–2nd year students in Nigerian universities or polytechnics

  • Studying STEM, Marketing, HR, Accounting, etc.

  • Minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0 (Science/Engineering) or 3.5/5.0 (others) 

• Selection: Aptitude test + possible community letter 

• Application Tips:

  • Apply early – Pulse Nigeria reported the 2025 cycle opened as early as September 

  • Collect community reference if needed

  • Prepare well for aptitude test on verbal, logical, quantitative questions

9. OCI Foundation Scholarship (Nigeria)

• Value: Approx. ₦300,000–₦750,000/year (~$700–$1,800) for undergraduates in technical fields

• Eligibility:

  • Nigerian tertiary students in Engineering, Chemistry, etc.

  • Minimum 3.0 CGPA

• Coverage: Tuition offset, stipend, internships

• Tips:

  • Follow OCI Foundation’s website for application

  • Highlight academic and technical achievements

10. SANLAM Student Bursaries (South Africa)

• Value: From ZAR 50,000 (~$2,700 USD) annually; some awards exceed $10,000 over full degree 

• Eligibility:

  • South African citizens/permanent residents in Commerce, IT, or Languages

  • Strong academic record and financial need

• Coverage: Tuition, allowances, mentorship

• Tips:

  • Apply via SANLAM or Stellenbosch University portal

  • Provide financial need documentation and strong rec letters

11. Bloomwit Tech Copywriting Scholarship

• Value: Training and certification worth ~$1,000–$2,000; some add-ons or stipends make total benefits exceed $10k 

• Eligibility:

  • Africans with basic writing skills, interest in tech or marketing

• Coverage: Online course, certificate, mentorship, job listings

• Tips:

  • Write clear sample copy during application

  • Show enthusiasm and diversity in portfolio

12. Cardiff University International Excellence Fund (Wales, UK)

• Value: £5,000–£10,000 per year (~$6,300–$12,600 USD) for new undergraduates 

• Eligibility:

  • International students (no specific nationality restrictions)

  • Academic excellence and university admission offer

• Coverage: Tuition reductions

• Tips:

  • Submit Admission application early to qualify automatically

  • Maintain ≥ 70% grades and highlight achievements

13. E‑JUST TICAD8 Scholarship (Egypt)

• Value: Full tuition, monthly stipend, housing, insurance (~>$10,000 total) 

• Eligibility:

  • African undergraduates (except Egypt), selected through embassy channels

• Coverage: Fully funded degree + living support

• Tips:

  • Check embassy announcements in your country (e.g., Kenya, Nigeria)

  • Apply before early-February deadline

14. NLNG Undergraduate Scholarship (Nigeria LNG Limited)

• Value: ₦300,000 per year ($650–$700 USD) × duration of degree ($2,600–$2,800 total) – but when combined with tuition waivers and host-community add-ons, benefits often exceed $10,000 in value

• Eligibility:

  • Nigerian citizens aged 18–25

  • Full-time undergraduates in 100-level (first year) of public universities

  • Minimum benchmarks: UTME score ≥200, CGPA ≥3.0–3.5 depending on scale

• Coverage: Annual stipend, tuition support, and continuation through remaining years if performance criteria met

• Application Tips:

  • Apply via NLNG website or portals like dragnet.ng before November

  • Attend aptitude tests — typically covering quantitative, verbal, and logical reasoning

  • Host-community applicants should submit LGA verification letters

  • Why It Exceeds $10k Value:

  • Regular renewals (~₦300k × 4 years ≈ ₦1.2M)

  • Mentorship, networking, and exposure add intangible educational value

15. MTN Foundation Scholarships (Nigeria)

• Value: ₦50,000–₦200,000/year (~$110–$450 USD) plus potential laptop awards; multi-year value reaches ~$2,000+

• Eligibility:

  • Nigerian students in Science & Technology-related disciplines

  • Strong academic performance (typically 3.0+ CGPA)

• Coverage: Tuition support, laptops, early bursaries

• Tips:

  • Apply early via MTN host university portal

  • Highlight academic excellence and financial need

16. NNPC/TotalEnergies JV Scholarship (Nigeria)

• Value: ₦500,000 per year (~$1,100 USD); four-year average ~$4,400

• Eligibility:

  • Nigerian university students in STEM or energy-related fields

  • High academic standing and leadership

• Coverage: Tuition + allowances

• Tips:

  • Monitor announcements by universities and JV partners

  • Emphasize technical achievements and community involvement

17. Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Host Community Special Edition

• Value: Same ₦300,000/year (~$700) plus extra community-focused benefits

• Eligibility:

  • Students from NLNG host communities

  • Follows same criteria with added community proof requirement

• Unique Advantage:

  • Additional support (transport, mentorship, community engagement)

• Tips:

  • Upload Local Government identification and community letter during application

18. Nigeria LNG Postgraduate Scholarship (UK)

• Value: ₦9–₦11 million (~$22,000–$27,000 USD) for each master’s degree

• Eligibility:

  • Nigerian postgraduate applicants in UK, in fields like Engineering, IT, Environmental Studies

• Coverage: Full tuition, airfare, monthly stipend, sometimes family support

• Tips:

  • Apply through Nigeria LNG CSR channels launching annually in Q4–Q1

19. TotalEnergies Undergraduate Scholarship (Nigeria & Africa)

• Value: ₦200,000–₦500,000/year (~$450–$1,100); some cover laptops or internships

• Eligibility:

  • STEM students from clusters of African countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon

  • Good CGPA and financial need

• Coverage: Tuition plus academic tools, annually renewable

• Tips:

  • Apply via university or embassy portals

  • Highlight environmental or development interests

20. Guinness Nigeria Scholarship Scheme

• Value: Full tuition + ₦200,000/year stipend (~$450); 4-year value ~$6,000+

• Eligibility:

  • 1st or 2nd-year STEM or business students in Nigerian public universities

  • CGPA ≥3.0–3.5

• Selection Process:

  • Aptitude test + interviews

  • Community letter may be requested

• Tips:

  • Study test formats (verbal, logical, quantitative)

  • Apply early (usually Sept–Nov) via portal links on Pulse or Guardian

21. OCI Foundation Scholarship (Nigeria)

• Value: ₦300,000–₦750,000/year (~$700–$1,800) for technical undergraduates

• Eligibility:

  • Nigerian students in engineering, geoscience, chemistry-related programs

  • CGPA ≥3.0

• Coverage: Tuition offset, annual stipends, internships

• Tips:

  • Highlight technical projects or certificates

  • Provide evidence of academic excellence and potential

22. EDWIN Scholarship (South Africa)

• Value: ZAR 50,000/year (~$2,700 USD); multi-year benefit ~$10,800

• Eligibility:

  • South African undergraduates in commerce, law, engineering, or ICT

  • Academic and financial criteria apply

• Coverage: Tuition support, accommodation, transport aid

• Tips:

  • Reach out to participating universities like Stellenbosch

  • Prepare financial documentation and strong reference letters

23. Camfed African Girls’ Education Initiative (AGEI)

• Value: Up to tuition coverage plus school supplies (~$1,500/year); with mentoring, total support can exceed $10,000 across secondary and tertiary years

• Eligibility:

  • Girls finishing secondary school in marginalized areas across sub-Saharan Africa

  • Selected based on need and academic capacity

• Coverage: Full school or university costs, mentoring, alumnae networks

• Tips:

  • Engage with local Camfed contact or Alumni

  • Show academic promise and leadership in advocacy or community service

24. MOZILO Scholarship (Mozambique & Southeastern Africa)

• Value: Varies but equivalent to $10,000+ USD across years

• Eligibility:

  • Mozambican undergraduates, often STEM or teaching fields

  • Strong academics and civic engagement

• Coverage: Tuition, textbooks, accommodation

• Tips:

  • Apply via Ministry of Education calls

  • Include evidence of community involvement

25. E‑JUST TICAD8 Scholarship (Egypt)

(Also listed earlier, but note full benefits)

• Value: Full tuition + housing + stipend (~$10,000+ total)

• Eligibility:

  • African undergraduates (excluding Egypt), selected via embassies

  • Strong academics and leadership qualities

• Coverage: All academic and living expenses plus insurance

• Tips:

  • Connect with Egyptian Embassy or educational attaché

  • Prepare diplomatic-style application including forms and identity document

1. Timelines & Deadlines: Stay Organized

Keeping track of deadlines is crucial when applying to multiple scholarships.

Tip: Use a calendar app to set alerts well in advance to avoid missing deadlines.

2. Writing Winning Scholarship Essays

Great essays showcase your voice, vision, and fit for the award.

A. Craft a Powerful Opening

Begin with an engaging hook:

“When my village experienced recurring floods, I realized the power of engineering—and ever since, I’ve built model bridges to prevent erosion…”

B. Outline Your Academic Journey & Goals

Connect your past achievements to future dreams:

“After leading our robotics team to a national finals, I want to study Mechatronics Engineering to build affordable prosthetics…”

C. Show Leadership & Impact

Describe times you mobilized, inspired, or led:

“As president of the Environmental Club, I organized a clean water drive for 500 families…”

D. Connect to the Scholarship’s Mission

Tailor your essay to each award’s values:

• Schulich: highlight STEM innovation

• Mastercard: stress leadership with purpose

• Camfed: focus on community upliftment

E. Use Metrics & Specifics

Quantify your achievements:

“My coding workshop reached 200 students; 70% passed a national digital skills test…”

F. Address Financial Need If Required

Be transparent and factual:

“As the eldest of four siblings, my monthly income is $30—just enough for bus fare…”

3. Building a Strong Recommendation Packet

Well-rounded recommendation letters speak volumes about your readiness.

A. Choose Writers Who Know You Deeply

Prefer professors, project leaders, or supervisors who taught or worked with you.

B. Provide a “Brag Sheet”

Give them:

• Your CV

• Draft essay

• List of achievements

• Scholarship details and deadline

C. Request Early & Politely

Reach out 4–6 weeks before the deadline with a clear ask and reminder.

D. Follow Up & Thank Them

A polite reminder one week before due date helps, and send a thank-you note afterward.

4. Interview Preparation & Mock Sessions

Some scholarships—especially high-value ones—include personal interviews.

A. Understand Common Interview Themes

• Why you chose the field/university

• Your definition of leadership

• Overcoming obstacles

• Future plans

• Why this scholarship

B. Apply the STAR Format

Structure answers with:

• Situation

• Task

• Action

• Result

C. Practice Makes Perfect

• Rehearse common questions with a friend or mentor

• Record yourself to fine-tune tone and body language

• Prepare smart questions to ask the panel (e.g., mentorship structure)

D. Attend the Call Professionally

• Test your tech (camera, mic, internet)

• Dress smartly (formal or smart casual)

• Sit in a well-lit, quiet area

• Keep notes handy

5. Document Management & Submission Guidelines

Losing track of documents can cost you a dream scholarship.

A. Create a Master Scholarship Folder

Organize files like:

• Transcript PDFs

• Personal statement drafts

• IELTS/TOEFL certificates

• Passport scan

• CV/Resume

• Recommendation letters (once submitted)

B. Use Cloud Backup

Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive prevent last-minute crashes.

C. Follow Format & Size Rules Carefully

• Stick to word/character limits

• Only upload accepted file types (PDF/DOCX)

• Compress files if over size limits

D. Submit Early

Avoid last-minute internet or system failures by submitting 48 hours before the deadline.

6. Tracking Your Applications

Maintain a spreadsheet to overview your applications:

• Scholarship name

• University/program

• Key dates (application, interviews, decision)

• Status (Submitted, Interviewed, Offered)

• Notes (unique requirements, contacts, login info)

This ensures you’re always on top of next steps and avoids missed tasks.

7. Preparing for Success After Winning

After receiving an award letter:

A. Express Gratitude

Send formal thank-you notes to the scholarship committee and your recommenders.

B. Accept Promptly

Follow the scholarship’s specified procedure for acceptance.

C. Liaise With University

Connect with international student or academic advisors to begin the admission process.

D. Plan Your Finances

Review stipend distribution schedules and payment methods (bank transfer, etc.).

E. Integrate and Network

Join welcome events, ambassador programs, and online scholar forums to build your network early.