MINDS (Mandela Institute for Development Studies) runs a Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development aimed at building a network of young African leaders with a continent-wide development mindset. The programme supports eligible African students to study in an African country other than their home country, helping to grow cross-border understanding and cooperation across the continent.
At a glance
- Who it’s for: Nationals of African countries (resident anywhere in Africa) with strong academics and demonstrated leadership potential.
- Study level: Postgraduate (to commence within the following year).
- Where you can study: A MINDS preferred institution in Africa outside your country of citizenship and country of residence.
- Academic requirement: At least 70% in each subject/course in the last two completed years of study.
- What it covers: MINDS refers to a stipend (calculated individually and disclosed to successful beneficiaries). Other covered costs are not detailed on the programme page—confirm what’s included if you are selected.
- Closing date: No fixed deadline stated (applications are processed in the order received).
- Apply: Online via the MINDS scholarship application portal.
About the programme
The MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development in Africa aims to develop young leaders who have a continent-wide development mindset and who can facilitate greater cooperation between African countries. A key feature is enabling students to study in an African country other than their home country, building exposure to different communities, ideas, and lived realities across the continent.
Eligibility criteria
MINDS states that scholarships are awarded to meritorious applicants through a rigorous selection process. To be considered, you must meet all the stated requirements, including:
- Be a national of an African country, residing in any African country.
- Have formal acceptance from one or more MINDS preferred institution(s) outside your country of citizenship and/or residency.
- Be accepted to pursue postgraduate studies that commence within the following year.
- Have obtained at least 70% in each subject/course in the last two completed years of study.
- Provide evidence of demonstrated leadership abilities or potential as guided by the application form.
- Submit a complete online application with all required supporting documentation.
MINDS preferred institutions
MINDS requires that you be accepted to study at one of its preferred institutions. The programme page lists the following universities:
East Africa
- African Leadership University (Rwanda)
- Carnegie Mellon University in Rwanda (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 Sharms University (Egypt)
- Alexandria University (Egypt)
- Assiut University (Egypt)
West Africa
- 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 Cost)
- Cheikh Anta Diop University (Senegal)
- University of Ghana (Ghana)
- University of Ibadan (Nigeria)
Documents you must prepare
MINDS asks applicants to scan and upload documents in PDF format. Each attachment should not exceed 2MB. The programme page lists:
- Copy of the data/bio page of your passport.
- Certified academic transcript/results slip for the last two years of study.
- Copy of the official acceptance letter (must be addressed to you, state the degree, the academic year it will commence, and the duration of the course).
- Copy of a valid study permit/visa OR proof of application (optional).
- Detailed CV/Resume (maximum 4 single-sided pages).
- Two reference letters (each max 3 pages) addressing integrity, leadership competency/potential, and commitment to African development.
Closing date
The programme page does not state a single annual closing date. MINDS indicates it is currently receiving applications from students commencing studies in the coming academic year, and invites eligible applicants to submit as soon as they receive official acceptance from a MINDS preferred institution. Applications are processed in the order received.
What it covers
MINDS references a stipend and notes that the stipend amount is calculated individually and disclosed to beneficiaries of the scholarships. The programme page does not provide a public breakdown of additional covered costs—confirm the funding components directly from MINDS if you are shortlisted/selected.
What MINDS looks for
MINDS encourages applicants to demonstrate a Pan-African outlook, strong leadership potential, and a track record of academic excellence in their application responses and supporting documentation.
Notes for South African applicants
- MINDS notes that competition can be stiffer for South African institutions due to limited awards per university, and encourages applicants to consider universities outside of South Africa.
- MINDS states there are two scholarships available for South African citizens wishing to study elsewhere in Africa.
- MINDS states it has set aside scholarships for studies related to Actuarial Sciences, Business Sciences and Accounting at certain institutions on its preferred list.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting without all required documents: MINDS warns incomplete applications are immediately disqualified—upload everything required.
- Wrong file format or oversized files: Uploads must be PDF and each attachment must be ≤ 2MB.
- Applying before you have official acceptance: MINDS invites applications once you have official acceptance from a preferred institution.
- Choosing a university in your citizenship/residence country: MINDS defines “home” as both citizenship and residence; your chosen institution must be outside both.
- Not meeting the academic threshold: Ensure you meet the stated 70% per subject/course requirement for the last two years.
When you’ll hear back
MINDS states that after you submit, you will receive an email confirming receipt, and MINDS will contact you as early as possible within two months of submitting your application.
How to apply
Apply online via the MINDS scholarship application portal. Complete the online application form and upload all required supporting documents (PDF only, max 2MB per attachment).
Contact (as listed by MINDS)
Phone: +27 (0) 11 325 0501
Email: info@minds-africa.org
Address: Investment Place, Block C, 10th Road, Hyde Park, 2196, Johannesburg, South Africa