Agriculture Scholarships for African Students (2026 Guide).

Agriculture remains one of the most important sectors across Africa, contributing to food security, employment, and economic growth. And as technology continues to transform farming through mechanization, data-driven solutions, biotechnology, and climate-smart innovations, more African students are seeking opportunities to study agriculture at a higher level.

To support this demand, many universities, governments, NGOs, and international organizations offer agriculture scholarships specifically tailored to African students, covering undergraduate, master’s, and PhD studies both in Africa and abroad.

In this Heclus blog post, you’ll discover the top agriculture scholarships for African students, their eligibility requirements, benefits, and direct application links.

1. MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program (Agriculture-Related Fields)

The MasterCard Foundation partners with top universities to provide fully funded scholarships for talented African students from disadvantaged backgrounds. And many partner universities offer programs in agriculture, agri-business, environmental science, and food security.

Benefits

• Full tuition coverage

• Visa and travel support

• Monthly living expenses

• Academic and leadership training

• Internship and career support

Eligibility

• Must be an African student

• Strong academic record

• Demonstrated need and leadership potential

Application Portal

Apply Here: https://mastercardfdn.org/scholarshttps://mastercardfdn.org/scholars

2. The AGRIS Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships (Europe)

AGRIS Mundus is a world-class, fully funded Erasmus+ program that trains students in sustainable agriculture, food systems, and rural development.

Benefits

• Full tuition

• Monthly stipend

• Travel and health insurance

• Study in 2–3 European countries

Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or related field

• Strong academic performance

• English proficiency

Application Website

Click to Apply: https://www.em-a.eu/agris-mundus

3. African Development Bank (AfDB) Agricultural Scholarships

Through its partnership programs and initiatives like the Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS), AfDB supports African students pursuing agriculture, environmental engineering, agronomy, and climate resilience.

Benefits

• Full tuition

• Monthly allowance

• Travel and research grants

Eligibility

• Must be a national of an AfDB member country

• Strong academic background

• Commitment to Africa’s agricultural development

Application Page

Start Application: https://www.em-a.eu/agris-mundus

4. DAAD Scholarships for Agricultural Studies (Germany)

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers several agriculture-related scholarships for African students pursuing master’s or PhD degrees in:

• Agricultural Economics

• Agribusiness

• Crop Sciences

• Animal Sciences

• Forestry and Environmental Sciences

Benefits

• Monthly stipend

• Tuition-free study

• Health insurance

• Travel support

Copy of Link:

Apply Online: https://www.daad.de/en

5. Commonwealth Scholarships (Agriculture & Rural Development)

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission funds master’s and doctoral studies in agriculture, food science, rural development, and environmental management for African students from eligible countries.

Benefits

• Full tuition

• Monthly living allowance

• Thesis and research costs

• Airfare and visa support

Eligibility

• Must be from a Commonwealth nation

• Undergraduate degree with strong academic results

Official Application Portal

Submit Your Application: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk

6. Mandela Rhodes Foundation Scholarship (Agricultural Leadership)

While not specific to agriculture alone, the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship supports postgraduate studies for Africans with leadership potential—including those in agricultural programs.

Benefits

• Tuition

• Accommodation and meals

• Study materials

• Leadership development programs

Eligibility

• Ages 19–29

• Strong academic and leadership background

Application Website

Apply Here: https://www.mandelarhodes.org

7. The Norman Borlaug International Agricultural Science Fellowship

This fellowship, offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, supports early-career African researchers working in agriculture, nutrition, biotechnology, and food systems.

Benefits

• Fully funded research training

• Professional development

• Mentorship by US agricultural experts

Eligibility

• Must be an early-career agricultural scientist

• Employed at an African institution

Application Link

Access Application: https://www.fas.usda.gov

8. Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scholarships (African Universities)

Funded by the European Union, this scholarship allows African students to study agriculture across selected African partner universities.

Benefits

• Monthly allowance

• Travel and insurance

• Tuition waivers

Eligibility

• Undergraduate, master’s, or PhD students

• Must apply to a participating African university

Apply Here

Application Link: https://www.intra-africa-africa.org

9. University of Pretoria MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program (Agriculture)

 University of Pretoria in South Africa offers fully funded agricultural scholarships through its MasterCard partnership—especially in agricultural economics, plant sciences, and veterinary sciences.

Benefits

• Full tuition

• Accommodation

• Laptop and study materials

• Monthly stipend

Application Website

Start Your Application: https://www.up.ac.za

10. Wageningen University African Scholarships (Netherlands)

Wageningen University is world-renowned for agriculture, offering excellent funding opportunities for African students.

Benefits

• Full or partial scholarships

• Tuition coverage

• Living allowance

Eligibility

• Strong academic profile

• Interest in agriculture, food science, or environment

Application Page

Click to Apply: https://www.wur.nl

Final Thoughts

Agriculture is rapidly evolving, and Africa needs skilled professionals who can drive innovation in crop production, agribusiness, technology-driven farming, food security, and climate adaptation. These scholarships offer African students the opportunity to gain world-class agricultural training, often fully funded, and return to contribute significantly to the continent.