Ashinaga Africa Initiative Leadership Programme 2026

By | January 13, 2024
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Ashinaga formed by Yoshiomi Tamai has opened its 2026 Africa Initiative Leadership Programme and is inviting all interested applicants to Apply. Below are the requirements and procedures to apply.

Closing Date:

Bursary Requirements:

  • You must a citizen of any of these African countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, CAR, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, DRC, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Kenya, Kingdom of eSwatini, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Seychelles, Sudan, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe
  • You must have been born any time after 1 September 1999
  • You must have lost 1 or both of your parents
  • You must have no dependents who may interfere with your studies
  • You must be in good health (to be able to study abroad)
  • You must have completed secondary school OR you must be currently in secondary school
  • You must have received your national secondary school exam results within the last 2 years OR you must receive your final exam results by 28 February 2026 (NOT technical and vocational degrees)
  • You must wish to study abroad, towards an undergraduate university qualification
  • You must lack the financial means to attend university abroad without external funding
  • You must be fluent in English, French or Portuguese
  • You must be in the top 10% of your class (during the last 2 to 3 years of secondary school)
  • You must be willing and able to partake in 2 Ashinaga preparatory programs, before attending university (programs will take place in 1 years)
  • You must intend to return to your home country (or to Sub-Saharan Africa) within 4 years after graduation, where you will contribute to society in Sub-Saharan Africa

Please note: students will NOT be selected based on race, ethnic background, culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or any other factors not mentioned above.

Bursary Coverage:

The programme will provide cover for the following expenses:

  • tuition,
  • accommodation,
  • travel expenses and
  • other necessary expenses.

Method of Application:

The Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) Leadership Programme has 2 steps to apply:

STEP 1: Applicants must first apply online at AAI Leadership Application 2026
To get started, first Register an account here.

Students from Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and São Tomé and Príncipe (Portuguese-speaking), must apply here: AAI Leadership Application 2026 for Portuguese students.

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STEP 2: Students who are deemed eligible by Ashinaga will receive an email with the application form. Students will receive the application email within 1 month after registering – if you do not receive the email, then you have not been invited to apply (be sure to check your spam or junk box in your email account).

NB: students must download and read the AAI Applicant Guidebook as it contain a lot of essential information

Supporting Documents:

If you are invited to apply, you will be required to submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form, so ensure you have them ready (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

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  • ID document, Passport or Birth certificate (copy only)
  • Photograph (passport style)
  • All term reports or secondary school transcripts from the past 2 years
  • Final secondary school certificate (with results for each subject)
  • Recommendation letter from a school teacher or principal indicating your performance and character at secondary school (including their contact number, email address and must be stamped or signed)
  • Academic transcripts or official university results (if applicable)
  • Certificates of extracurricular activities, training courses, jobs or other commitments (if applicable)
  • Death certificate of deceased parent/ parents or another official documentation proving parents death or orphan status

 

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Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)

If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.

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The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.

NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:

  • Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
  • Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.
See also  2026 University of the Witwatersrand Online Application For Admission

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NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.

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📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application

When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:

  1. Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
  2. Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
  3. Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
  4. Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
  5. Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
  6. Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).

🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online

Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)

  1. Visit the NSFAS Website

    Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za

  2. Create an Account

    • Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
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🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)

  • Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
  • Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
  • Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
  • Disbursement: After registration and approval

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💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?

NSFAS funding typically includes:

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  • Registration fees
  • Accommodation (if living away from home)
  • Meals and transport
  • Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)

For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).

🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment

Repayments are:

  • Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
  • Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
  • Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.

You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.

🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application

If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:

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📱 NSFAS Contact Information

📝 Final Tips Before Applying

  • Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
  • Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
  • Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
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By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.

 

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