University of Rwanda Opens Full Scholarships for African Refugees and Displaced Youth
Kakuma, 28 February 2026
The University of Rwanda launches comprehensive undergraduate scholarships targeting African refugees, displaced persons, and disadvantaged youth for 2025/2026. This Mastercard Foundation partnership covers complete tuition and living expenses, specifically reaching residents of Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee camps through UNHCR Kenya coordination. The initiative forms part of the ambitious Young Africa Works Strategy, which aims to provide 30 million young Africans with dignified education and employment opportunities by 2030.
Application Process and Eligibility Requirements
The scholarship application process operates through a structured system coordinated by UNHCR Kenya. Eligible applicants must first secure admission into first-year undergraduate programmes at the University of Rwanda for the 2025/2026 academic year [1]. The programme specifically targets African students from all regions and genders who face limited access to education, with particular emphasis on young women, refugees, displaced persons, and persons with disabilities [1]. Applications must be submitted online through the dedicated portal at https://mcfsprecruitment.ur.ac.rw/ before the deadline of 22 August 2025 [1]. For comprehensive application guidelines and detailed requirements, prospective students can access the full documentation through the university’s official call for applications [1].
Regional Context and Educational Challenges
The scholarship programme addresses significant educational gaps across Eastern and Southern Africa, where the UNHCR Regional Bureau oversees 25 countries hosting over 6.4 million refugees and asylum-seekers as of February 2026 [4]. Of particular concern is the demographic composition of this displaced population: 64 percent are children of primary school age, whilst 22 percent are adolescents requiring secondary education [4]. The displacement crisis stems from multiple interconnected factors including armed conflict, political instability, climate-induced disasters, and economic fragility, with ongoing humanitarian emergencies in Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo [4]. Countries such as Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Sudan maintain progressive asylum policies, exemplified by Uganda’s Refugee Response Framework, Ethiopia’s Comprehensive Refugee Response Strategy, and Kenya’s Shirika Plan [4].
Strategic Framework and Global Impact
The initiative aligns with the broader Refugee Education 2030 framework and supports the Global Compact on Refugees, particularly targeting Sustainable Development Goal 4 regarding quality education [4]. The programme represents a coordinated effort involving multiple stakeholders, including partnerships with the Mastercard Foundation, UNICEF, UNESCO, IGAD, EAC, SADC, and the World Bank [4]. This comprehensive approach aims to promote equitable inclusion in national education systems, foster safe learning environments, and enable learners to utilise their education toward sustainable futures [4]. The scholarship programme forms part of the Young Africa Works Strategy’s ambitious goal to provide 30 million young people with access to dignified and fulfilling work by 2030 [1].
Implementation Timeline and Support Services
The scholarship programme operates within a carefully structured timeline, with applications opening in early 2025 and closing on 22 August 2025 for the 2025/2026 academic year [1]. The comprehensive support package covers full tuition fees and living expenses, removing financial barriers that traditionally prevent refugee access to higher education [GPT]. Priority consideration is given to applicants facing the greatest barriers to educational access, ensuring the programme reaches those most in need of educational opportunities [GPT]. The initiative provides refugees and displaced persons, particularly those in camps such as Kakuma and Kalobeyei, with a transformative pathway to university-level qualifications that could fundamentally alter their life trajectories and strengthen their communities upon eventual return or resettlement [GPT].