New scholarship programme

DAAD launches “Leadership for Africa”

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A master's degree program is often a great challenge for refugees from African countries - but it can also be a great opportunity. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is therefore launching the scholarship program "Leadership for Africa" to enable young talents from countries with high numbers of refugees to pursue a master's degree in Germany. Funded by the Federal Foreign Office (FFO), refugees and prospective students from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Sudan can initially participate. The FFO supports the programme with around 2.5 million euros per year.

Bonn, 27. August 2020

“With the new Leadership for Africa programme we are offering young people in difficult life situations the chance to continue their studies. Our scholarship programme creates a high-quality comprehensive educational perspective in the Federal Republic of Germany for qualified refugees,” says DAAD President Prof Dr Joybrato Mukherjee in Bonn.

The Master's program with its extensive accompanying program will enable scholarship holders to take on a responsible role in the further development of their home country after successful completion of their studies. In addition, the support of master’s studies for refugees closes a qualification gap and creates long-term perspectives for the scholarship holders.

In addition to funding for the master's program at a German university, the scholarship holders take part in a diverse accompanying program with courses on understanding democracy, the rule of law and sustainable economic and social development. The Leadership for Africa scholarship package also includes a German language course, insurance and travel expenses, and family support is available if required.

Besides refugees officially recognised in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Sudan, the programme is also open to local students from the four countries. Initially 55 full scholarships per year are planned, prospective students with a bachelor’s degree can apply until mid-October.

The DAAD Regional Office in Nairobi provides information and advice and is the contact point in the region.

Contacts

Beate Schindler-Kovats
Director DAAD Regional Office for Africa, Nairobi
DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service
Tel: +254 -725 860 811
schindler-kovats@daad.de

Gudrun Chazotte
Head of Section – Section ST32 –  Africa
DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service
+49 228 882-686
chazotte@daad.de