Absa Fellowship Programme

For those ready to rise and lead Africa’s fearless future

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What is the Absa Fellowship Programme?

Absa Fellows are the few who are ready to reach their full potential and make Africa a better place. They are brave and passionate leaders that are ready to go beyond the standards of what is attainable; to move humanity forward in ways that have not yet been discovered; to reframe, reimagine and reshape society. Through academic funding and expert guidance, the Absa Fellowship Programme helps these leaders to rise and steer this continent to a brighter future.

The Absa Fellowship Programme:
  • Advances education
  • Drives transformative collaboration
  • Develops capable leadership
  • Facilitates progressive thinking.

The Absa Fellowship journey will coincide with the duration of a student’s undergraduate studies, with candidates ultimately emerging as private or public sector leaders in their chosen industries able to actively shape their societies, promote sustainability and bring possibility to life in ways the world hasn’t seen before.

When to apply ?

The Absa Fellowship Programme applications open on the 19th of January 2024 and close on the 28th of January 2024.

What does the Programme offer?

The Absa Fellowship Programme is much more than just an ordinary scholarship or bursary initiative. It is a leadership development programme. While successful candidates will receive financial support towards their academic studies, they will also be expected to actively participate in a specially curated leadership development programme created by Absa.

The following will be covered:

Academic costs
  • Full tuition
  • Accommodation (University & Private Landlord agreement)
  • Laptop
  • Textbooks & Educational equipment
  • Meal Allowance
  • Monthly stipend
  • Monthly data allowance
  • Student Medical Aid Cover
Leadership programme
  • Travel, if required
  • Learner modules and guides
  • Online lectures and assessments
  • Emotional wellness check-in sessions, academic tutoring and mentoring

The Programme will provide a platform for participants to “engage the world to change the world” by creating their own content and posing their own questions, as well as an emotional and academic wellness support structure.

What are the criteria to apply?

A potential Absa Fellow is:
  • African
  • A leader
  • A catalyst for change
  • Humble and passionate
  • Brave and ready to embrace possibility
  • Ethical and socially conscious
  • Studying towards an undergraduate degree in:
    1. Science
    2. Technology
    3. Engineering
    4. Creative Arts
    5. Mathematics
    6. Humanities (Social Sciences)
    7. Digital/Data Design
    8. Entrepreneurship

at one of the 26 public universities in South Africa.

  • Between the age of 18 and 25 years
  • A strong student with a Grade 12/Matric (or equivalent) average of 65% or more
  • A citizen of one of the following countries:
    1. South Africa
    2. Mozambique
    3. Zambia
    4. Botswana
    5. Tanzania
    6. Kenya
    7. Mauritius
    8. Seychelles
    9. Uganda
    10. Ghana
  • Entering the first year of tertiary studies, with provisional or full acceptance from a public university in South Africa.
Apply here

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