Best 10 Scholarships for Students with Disabilities in Africa (2025)
Education should be a right not a fight. But for most students with disabilities in Africa, going to school or university is like climbing a mountain. All this of high school fees, inability to learn due to lack of support and schools not being based on accessibility leaves many a bright student behind; not because of their intelligence but because the system is not suited to their needs.
Not every student can buy a wheelchair or a transport to get to the classroom. Others live in neighborhoods without inclusive schools and teachers trained to favor diverse needs. To add to that, stigma and low expectations from others may make it even harder to carry on with it. But this is changing and one of the biggest game changers is the availability of scholarships.
This resource lists the top 10 scholarships to study in Africa in 2025 for students with disabilities. These scholarships help pay school fees, academic supplies and actual opportunities to succeed. You may be in high school, in college or learning a trade but something on this list has the potential to open doors to the next step.
Why Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Matter in Africa
Most students with disabilities face extra challenges in education. In some cases the schools are not built in such a way that has ramps and signs of communication. In some instances they find it hard to keep on learning because the amount they will buy lightweight assistive devices, hearing aids or braille materials are very expensive.
It is because of this reason that scholarships are not always about money. They also provide support, confidence and inspiration to those students who can be left behind.
Best 10 Scholarships for Students with Disabilities in Africa (2025)
The following will be the most credible and useful scholarships that will be available in 2025. The details of each scholarship contains information on eligibility, what type of scholarship to apply and how to apply.
1. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
- Country: Several Africa countries
- Level: masters and undergraduate
- What it Covers: Full tuition, books, housing, travel and stipend to live.
- Eligibility: Students who have good academic record and qualities of leadership.
- This includes those who are physically, hearing or visually challenged.
- Application: Apply through partner universities Ashesi University (Ghana) University of Cape Town (South Africa) and others found at the Mastercard Foundation site.
2. The Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme For Students With Disabilities
- Country: Commonwealth countries
- Level: Graduate (Master level)/ PhD
- What it Covers: tuition fees, airline fees, monthly living stipends
- Eligibility: Commonwealth students, many of them in Africa. They must be living with a disability and meet academic requirements.
- Application: Go through the nominating agency in your country or the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission site.
3. Fondation Mandela Rhodes Scholarship
- Nation: South Africa
- Level: Honours and Master (Postgraduate)
- What it will Cover: Fees, registration, allowances and leadership development
- Eligibility: Students of any African country. Available to individuals with disabilities who can show leadership and academic ability.
- Application Process: Anyone can apply via the Mandela Rhodes Foundation website between March and April every year.
4. Google African Developers with Disabilities Scholarship
- Country: Online (available to most countries in Africa)
- Level: Tech and coding training courses
- What is Included: The full online courses, mentorship as well as certification exams
- Interested in tech or programming, students or young professionals living with a disability
- How to Apply: Via available tech educational platforms, such as Pluralsight or Andela, depending on annual partnership opportunities by Google
5. Disability Fellowship Ford Foundation (Africa Focus)
- Country: Selected African countries
- Degree: Masters and PhD
- What it Covers: Travel, full tuition, living expenses and research support
- Eligibility: People with disabilities who are active social justice and community development activists
- Mode of Application: Annual basis (through the calls in the foundation) or you would apply via partner institutions
6. Global Online Programme UNESCO and UNEVOC Inclusive Education Scholarship
- Country: All member states of Africa
- Required Level: You will be accepted if you have Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
- What it Includes: Tuition, learning tools and all-encompassing training tools
- Eligibility: Disabled students taking up technical skills and training
- The mode of application: UNESCO national offices or recognized centers of TVET
7. DAAD Scholarships in Sub-Saharan Africa (With Disability in Mind)
- Country: Germany (and students of the Sub-Saharan African countries)
- Level: Masters and Phd
- What it Includes: Full tuition, monthly stipend, travel and health insurance
- Eligibly: Students with special needs or disabilities who are exceptionally efficient academically and have achieved discipline and language standards of degree requirements
- How to apply: via DAAD portal and local DAAD offices
8. Disability Rights Now! Youth Fellowship Country: Africa
- Level: Fellowship (non-degree)
- What it Covers: Stipend, travel and program support
- Eligibility: 18-30-year-old young people with disabilities doing either advocacy work or serving in the community
- How to Apply: Open calls on the program website
9. African Visionary Fund – Education Access Grant
- Country: Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria among others
- Level: Secondary, tertiary education
- What it Covers: School supplies, tuition and assistive devices
- Eligibility: Poor students with disabilities
- How to Apply: via their partner NGOs and organizations that work on disability
10. AHEAD Program: African Higher Education Access and Disability
Country: accepted countries are
- Ethiopia,
- Mozambique,
- Kenya,
- Ghana, and
- Rwanda.
Level: must have been in Vocational or an undergraduate student
- What it Offers: Partial-to full ride scholarships, campus support and access services
- Eligible citizens: Young individuals with disabilities who want to attend inclusive education
- How to Apply: apply via project affiliated universities and institutions
How to Apply to Disability Scholarship in Africa
- Start early. Most of the deadlines are serious.
- Have medical or disability records prepared.
- Write a personal statement or an essay where your intentions and difficulties you went through are revealed.
- Apply to more than one scholarship.
- Contact former beneficiaries or NGOs if you need advice.
Documents Required
- Academic records/transcripts or certificates in school
- National passport or National ID
- Evidence of disability (certificate or letter of a doctor)
- Recommendation letters
- Personal statement or essay
- Admission letter (as student in school)
FAQs
1. Are all kinds of disabilities allowed?
Yes. Most of such scholarships are open to students who have physical, visual, hearing or learning disabilities. Whether the disability is mild or more severe is immaterial–it is only important that the student is committed to learning.
Others could help the students with mental complications or those with chronic health conditions which compromise their education. However, ensure that you verify the requirements of each scholarship.
2. Will I be required to have high grades?
Some, especially those that are university based or international in nature, require good grades as criteria for applicants. But there are many that give more emphasis on your potential or motivation or leadership qualities. For example, you may be very involved in your community or have also overcome hardship despite no straight As. Many scholarship providers care about different things so don’t discount yourself.
3. Do they have scholarships for students still in high school?
Yes. There are NGO-aided grants, African Visionary Fund that helps students in high school to get to higher levels. These scholarships target low-income households and can target retention of the student in school rather than out. They can also cover uniforms, learning materials and transportation.
4. What if I don’t have access to internet to apply?
If you don’t have decent internet connection, no worries, you can still apply. Go to local education offices, non-governmental organizations assisting persons with disabilities or local community centers. Most of these places have internet facility or the personnel is available to complete forms and file the application. There are scholarships that don’t even require online or paperwork as it all depends on the country.
5. Do these scholarships have age limit?
No and yes. There are scholarships which are age restricted, typically fellowships or youth leadership scholarships which often limit those seeking them between 18 and 30 years. Others will also accept all ages as long as the applicant meets the educational and disability needs. Read the fine print in every scholarship, before you apply.
Conclusion
The 10 best scholarships for students with disabilities in Africa (2025) don’t only help students to attend school. They break boundaries and make sure no one is left behind because of disability.
Whether you want to be a doctor, teacher, engineer, artist or entrepreneur, there is someone who will back you up. All you have to do is find it, get ready and do it.
As a student with disability, don’t let anything hinder you. Use these scholarships to build your future.
And when you find someone who might need this list, then share it with them. One share can change a life.
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