Fully Funded Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship 2026/2027; University of Oxford.
Fully Funded Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship 2026/2027; University of Oxford.
This opportunity is highly competitive and intended for candidates with exceptional academic records, strong leadership potential, and a deep commitment to making a lasting impact in their home communities.
The Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship is part of the broader Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, which is aimed at enabling academically talented young Africans to pursue graduate studies at leading global institutions.
The AfOx partnership focuses specifically on supporting African citizens who are ordinarily resident on the continent and committed to driving Africa’s transformation.
In the 2026/2027 academic year, the partnership will provide up to five fully funded scholarships for students to pursue an MBA degree at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School.
These scholarships not only cover academic expenses but also offer comprehensive support that extends well beyond tuition.
Eligible Fields
- For the 2026/2027 cycle, the Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship Programme is available exclusively for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at Oxford’s Saïd Business School.
- However, AfOx generally supports various postgraduate programmes across disciplines in other cycles.
To be considered for the 2026 MBA scholarship, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be a citizen of an African country.
- Be ordinarily resident in an African country at the time of application.
- Demonstrate a track record of leadership and commitment to Africa’s development.
- Possess an excellent academic background and meet the admission criteria for the Oxford MBA programme.
- Be applying for the 2026/2027 MBA programme at Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford.
- Submit a complete MBA application by the specified deadline (7 January 2026).
- No separate application for the scholarship is required; scholarship consideration is automatic upon MBA application.
Applicants will be selected based on the following key factors:
- Strong academic merit and intellectual potential.
- Demonstrated leadership capacity and community impact.
- A clear commitment to return to Africa and contribute to development on the continent.
- Alignment with the mission and values of the Mastercard Foundation and AfOx.
- Successful applicants will be shortlisted for interviews as part of the MBA admissions process.
Eligible Countries
The scholarship is open to nationals of all African countries who are ordinarily resident on the continent. This includes applicants from:
- Nigeria,
- Ghana,
- Kenya,
- Ethiopia,
- South Africa,
- Uganda,
- Tanzania,
- Rwanda,
- Zimbabwe,
- Zambia,
- Egypt,
- Morocco,
- Senegal,
- Ivory Coast,
- Cameroon,
- Malawi, and more.
Required Documents
Applicants must complete the standard MBA application process through the Saïd Business School and provide:
- Academic transcripts and certificates.
- A valid GMAT or GRE score (as required by the MBA programme).
- An up-to-date CV or résumé.
- Written essays and a personal statement.
- Two professional or academic references.
- Evidence of English language proficiency (if applicable).
No separate scholarship form is required. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted directly by the University.
Benefits of the Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship Programme
- Full coverage of the University of Oxford MBA course fees.
- A generous living stipend of at least £20,780 for the duration of the programme.
- Access to bespoke leadership and entrepreneurship training through the AfOx network.
- Pre-arrival orientation and on-campus support services.
- Post-graduation career development opportunities and reintegration support for returning to Africa.
- Long-term access to a dynamic alumni network of Mastercard Foundation Scholars and AfOx fellows.
Follow these steps to apply for the Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship:
- Apply to the University of Oxford MBA Programme through the Saïd Business School application portal.
- Ensure that you submit your completed MBA application by the scholarship deadline: 7 January 2026.
- Indicate your eligibility for the Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship in the financial section of the MBA application.
- If shortlisted, you will be invited to an interview as part of the selection process.
- No additional scholarship application is necessary. If selected, you will receive a notification from the University and AfOx.
This is a rare and prestigious opportunity for driven African professionals to acquire a world-class MBA education and return home equipped to lead change.
If you are a passionate, impact-oriented leader ready to scale your influence, this scholarship could be your gateway to global leadership and continental transformation.
