Amy Fraser7 May 2024 | 15:52

Absa Fellowship Programme: Empowering Africa's future leaders one scholarship at a time

By offering academic funding and expert mentorship, the programme empowers emerging leaders to advance and guide the continent towards a prosperous future.

Absa Fellowship Programme: Empowering Africa's future leaders one scholarship at a time

'Education is the most powerful weapon [you can use] to change the world', said SA's top performing matriculant from the class of 2023. Picture: Pixabay

Bongani Bingwa interviews Dr Steven Zwane, Absa Managing Executive.

Listen below.

The Absa Fellowship Programme is designed to assist financially disadvantaged yet academically promising students.

Additionally, it aims to equip Fellowship recipients with essential skills necessary for future leadership roles, contributing to both institutional and transformative impacts in business, communities, countries, and across the African continent.

By offering academic funding and expert mentorship, the programme empowers these emerging leaders to advance and guide the continent towards a prosperous future.

Moreover, it fosters a platform for participants to actively shape and influence global change through self-generated content and inquiries, complemented by a robust support system for emotional and academic well-being.

In order to qualify, you would need to be studying towards an undergraduate degree in:

  • Science
  • Technology
  • Engineering
  • Creative Arts
  • Mathematics
  • Humanities 
  • Digital/Data Design
  • Entrepreneurship


Furthermore, applicants must fall within the age range of 18 to 25 years and demonstrate academic excellence with a minimum Grade 12/Matric (or equivalent) average of 65% or higher.

To learn more about the 'fully-inclusive' programme, click here.

"It's a fully-inclusive scholarship with no payback."
- Dr Steven Zwane, Managing Executive – Absa 
"For us, it's about moving society forward."
- Dr Steven Zwane, Managing Executive – Absa 

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.