African Leadership Academy: Fully Funded Pan-African Pre-University Program
African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg runs a two-year fully funded pre-university program for exceptional 16–19 year-olds from across Africa. Eligibility, deadlines, application path.
At a glance
- Sponsor
- African Leadership Academy (ALA), Johannesburg
- Level
- Two-year pre-university / IGCSE A-Level
- Funding
- Need-based — 95%+ of admitted scholars receive significant financial aid; many are fully funded
- Deadline
- Round 1 Sep · Round 2 Feb · Final May (varies year to year)
Who is eligible
- African citizen aged 16–19 at intake.
- Strong academic record (typically top 5% of class).
- Demonstrated leadership — community project, business, civic initiative.
- Three-round application: written, video, in-person/virtual finalist round.
What the award covers
- Full or partial scholarship covering tuition, room, board, and books
- Travel support to and from Johannesburg for many scholars
- Health insurance during the two-year program
- Anzisha Prize and ALA Network for entrepreneurial alumni
How to apply
- Open the application at africanleadershipacademy.org when admissions open (typically September).
- Submit short essays, academic transcripts and one teacher recommendation.
- Selected applicants record a video and complete the Discover ALA workshop.
- Finalists attend a selection retreat (in person or virtual) before offers are made.
Frequently asked questions
What qualification do ALA students graduate with?
Cambridge A-Levels plus the ALA Entrepreneurial Leadership, African Studies, and Writing & Rhetoric core curriculum, which feeds directly into university applications worldwide.
Is ALA fully funded?
ALA awards need-based financial aid. The vast majority of admitted students receive significant aid, and many are fully funded. Families contribute on a sliding scale based on income.
Where do ALA graduates study after?
ALA alumni place at Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, Oxford, Cambridge, McGill, AIMS, and African universities across the continent — often on full scholarships like Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
Can I apply directly without my school's involvement?
Yes. The application is student-initiated. You will need a teacher to write the recommendation, but you submit independently.