Ashinaga Africa Initiative for Students in Francophone Countries

IAA Scholars are students who have lost one or both parents and are committed to returning home, or at least to the sub-Saharan African region, to initiate change, innovation and development.

The IAA provides access to full financial support to study at university in France, including tuition fees, accommodation, travel and other necessary expenses, for bachelor’s and or master’s studies.

Eligible Countries 

• Applicants must have citizenship and have completed are completing high school in one of the following countries:
  • Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Seychelles, Chad and Togo.

Eligibility Criteria

• Have lost their father, mother, or both.
• Have citizenship and have completed or will complete their secondary education in one of the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Seychelles, Chad and Togo.
• Have completed their secondary education and obtained their baccalaureate (technical, technological and professional baccalaureates are not accepted).
• Have consistently been ranked among the top of their class during high school and college, if applicable. Students who have scored below 14-20 on their baccalaureate exam have a limited chance of being accepted.
• Do not have the financial means to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree at university.
• Speak French fluently.
• Can participate in Ashinaga’s two one-year preparatory programs, which are prerequisites for university entrance. The only exception is if the student has already received an offer of admission from a French university that applies the tuition fee exemption
• Are committed to returning home or to sub-Saharan Africa, to actively contribute to African society after graduation.
• Have no dependents who would interfere with the continuation of their studies.
• Are in good health and able to study internationally.

For more information, visit Ashinaga.