March 2026 brings a series of high-stakes funding, scholarship, and fellowship deadlines for African entrepreneurs, students, educators, and early-career professionals.
This month’s calls range from Mastercard Foundation-backed innovation grants in Rwanda and nearly US$30,000 in school-based entrepreneurship awards in Uganda, to fully funded participation at the One Young World Summit in Cape Town and leadership fellowships in Germany and Ghana.
For founders seeking capital, students pursuing international study, and professionals ready for global exposure, these programmes offer structured support, grant funding, and long-term networks.
Below is a curated opportunities watch for March 2026, arranged by deadline to help you act strategically.
Ban Ki-moon Global Citizen Scholarship [Deadline: March 5]
The Ban Ki-moon Foundation is accepting applications for the 9th cohort of its Global Citizen Scholarship, a fully virtual programme empowering young changemakers aged 20–35 to design and implement community-based projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Selected scholars receive structured mentorship, peer collaboration opportunities, expert-led workshops, and participation in a summer school component delivered in partnership with Management Centre Innsbruck.
Eligible African countries include Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, and Sierra Leone.
Mastercard Foundation SEF 2.0 Innovation Grants – University of Rwanda [Deadline: March 6]
The Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund (SEF 2.0) Phase Two offers innovation grants of up to USD 5,000 to undergraduate student teams at the University of Rwanda.
Implemented under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, the fund supports scalable ventures aligned with the SDGs, Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), and Vision 2050.
Shortlisted teams participate in the HATANA Innovation Bootcamp (23–28 March 2026) and pitch for grant funding. Teams must include at least one Mastercard Foundation Scholar and maintain at least 70 per cent female representation.
Enterprising Futures Scholarship 2026 (RVO & One Young World) [Deadline: March 9]
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), in collaboration with One Young World, invites applications for the Enterprising Futures Scholarship 2026.
The scholarship supports African changemakers developing scalable sustainability solutions and provides full sponsorship to attend the One Young World Summit in Cape Town (3–6 November 2026).
Recipients gain access to additional events organised by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the One Young World Global Leadership Programme, travel and accommodation coverage, visa support, and lifetime membership in the One Young World Ambassador community.
Eligible African countries include Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Mozambique.
Stanbic National Schools Championship (NSC) 2026 – Uganda [Deadline: March 12]
Stanbic Bank Uganda is inviting secondary and vocational schools to apply for Season 11 of the National Schools Championship.
The programme fosters innovation and entrepreneurship among students and offers a prize pool worth UGX 100 million (about US$27,000).
Participating schools complete a structured Remote Innovation Challenge, followed by a five-day bootcamp providing teachers with practical entrepreneurship training and toolkits to strengthen innovation education within their institutions.
Participation is free.
StartHub Africa Market Access Program 2026 – Uganda [Deadline: March 13]
This 12-month initiative supports young Ugandan agro-processing entrepreneurs seeking to transition into formal retail markets.
Implemented by StartHub Africa in partnership with SABAA.education and funded through SCHMITZ STIFTUNGEN (BMZ financing), the programme offers business training, certification support, and structured distribution pathways into supermarkets and retail outlets.
Open to youth aged 18–35 in Greater Kampala, Gulu, and Lira.
AfOx Health Innovation Programme 2026 – University of Oxford [Deadline: March 18]
The AfOx Health Innovation Programme supports African innovators developing science-led solutions to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases across the continent.
Participants undertake a 16-week virtual training programme with mentorship from researchers and industry experts. Selected founders travel to Oxford for an intensive bootcamp and technical collaboration.
The programme combines business training, fundraising support, and international research partnerships.
MILEAD Fellows Program 2026 [Deadline: March 20]
The MILEAD Fellows Program will select 25 young African women aged 19–25 for a year-long leadership development journey.
The programme, an initiative of Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa, includes a three-week residential Summer Institute in Ghana, structured mentorship, and implementation of a MiCHANGE community project addressing critical issues affecting women and girls.
Applicants must submit a completed form, CV, and two recommendation letters.
AFRIKA KOMMT! Fellowship 2026–2028 [Deadline: March 22]
AFRIKA KOMMT! offers a one-year professional placement in Germany for young African professionals with 2–5 years of work experience.
The fellowship includes German language preparation, intercultural training, leadership development modules, and monthly stipend support. Participants gain exposure to leading German companies while strengthening long-term Africa–Germany cooperation.
Applicants must be under 35 years of age and hold a university degree.
dsm-firmenich Progress Foundation Scholarship 2026 [Deadline: March 23]
Five young entrepreneurs will receive full funding to attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town.
The scholarship supports leaders working to fight malnutrition, strengthen community resilience, or protect ecosystems.
Coverage includes flights, accommodation (31 October – 8 November), Summit access, and participation in the dsm-firmenich delegation.
Applicants must be aged 18–30 with 3–5 years of business experience.
Mauritius-Africa Scholarship Scheme (MASS) 2026 [Deadline: March 27]
The Government of Mauritius is offering scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate study at public higher education institutions in Mauritius.
The scholarship covers tuition fees, a contribution toward living expenses, and return airfare. Applications must be submitted through a nominating agency in the applicant’s home country, typically the Ministry of Education.
AFRISE Challenge 2026 [Deadline: March 27]
The AFRISE Challenge, organised by Hindsight Ventures and Concordia University, is a startup accelerator for African founders building scalable solutions in health, agriculture, education, fintech, and creative industries.
Selected participants join a four-week venture bootcamp, receive structured mentorship, and pitch at an international demo day.
