The technology sector has a well-documented diversity problem and the organisations that fund technology education have responded by creating a significant number of scholarships specifically for women and for African women in particular.
The combined value of these exclusive scholarships, money that is available only to African women and that carries reduced competition compared to general scholarship pools, is extraordinary. And most of the women who would qualify for these opportunities have never heard of them.
Before we go further I want to address something directly. There is sometimes a reluctance among qualified African women to apply for scholarships specifically designated for women or for underrepresented groups. A sense that winning through a less competitive pool is somehow less legitimate than winning in an open competition.
This thinking is mistaken. These scholarships exist because the barriers that African women face in accessing technology education are real, documented and significant. Using a scholarship designed to address those barriers is not a shortcut. It is accessing a resource that was created specifically because your situation and your potential were recognised as deserving of support.
Apply. Every programme that is relevant to you.
Google Women Techmakers Scholarship
Google’s Women Techmakers Scholarship programme, formerly the Anita Borg Scholarship, supports women pursuing degrees in computer science, computer engineering and related technical fields. It is available to women across multiple regions including Africa and provides financial support, community connection and access to Google’s professional networks throughout and beyond the scholarship period.
The application requires academic transcripts, essays about your experience in technology and your leadership, and letters of recommendation. Selection emphasises both academic excellence and evidence of leadership and community involvement. Neither alone is sufficient.
African Women in Technology specific programmes
Several African technology organisations and foundations offer scholarships specifically for African women studying computer science, data science, engineering and related fields. These programmes often come with mentoring, internship opportunities and professional network access that extends well beyond the financial award itself.
The African Women’s Development Fund supports African women’s education and leadership across multiple fields. For women in technology and STEM the fund has supported fellowships, training programmes and scholarships that specifically build capacity in areas where African women are most underrepresented.
🔗 Read next: Many of these women in tech scholarships are connected to the broader US university application process. Our complete guide covers all the details: How African Teenagers Can Win a Full Scholarship to Study in America
International scholarships with strong African women components
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program actively recruits African women in STEM with a stated commitment to gender equity in scholar selection. Women in computer science, engineering, data science, biotechnology and related fields are strongly encouraged to apply and the programme has a track record of selecting them. The scholarship is fully funded and includes mentoring and career development support beyond the financial package.
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship at Cambridge University does not restrict applications by gender but it has a strong track record of selecting African women scholars. The selection criteria, intellectual ability, leadership and commitment to improving lives, align with what many African women in technology bring to their applications. The scholarship is fully funded and carries extraordinary prestige.
The Schwarzman Scholars programme at Tsinghua University in Beijing funds a master’s degree in global affairs and actively seeks to recruit diverse candidates. African women in technology and leadership roles are well-positioned to be competitive applicants.
Corporate technology scholarships for African women
Beyond foundation and government scholarships, many technology companies operate scholarship programmes specifically for women in technical fields. Microsoft, Meta, IBM, SAP and many other major technology employers have funded programmes that vary from straightforward financial awards to comprehensive developmental programmes with mentoring and career pathway components.
These programmes change frequently so research each company’s current offerings directly through their websites rather than relying on guides that may be out of date. Following organisations like SheLeadsAfrica, the African Women in Technology network and Women in Tech Africa on social media and subscribing to their newsletters is the most reliable way to stay current with what is available.
How to write a compelling application
The most competitive applications for women in technology scholarships demonstrate three things clearly.
Technical competence evidenced through your academic record, your projects and your professional experience. A clear understanding of the specific challenges facing African women in technology and why those challenges matter beyond your personal experience of them. And a credible vision for how your education and your career will contribute to addressing those challenges at scale.
Avoid the temptation to write only about personal challenges you have overcome. Resilience narratives are common in applications for these scholarships and while they matter they are not sufficient on their own. Pair your story with your vision.
Who you are becoming and what you are going to build or change is at least as important as what you have survived to get here. The scholarship is investing in your future, not rewarding your past.
“The African women who will lead the technology revolution on this continent are already here. They are studying, building, creating and leading right now. These scholarships exist to remove the financial barriers between them and the education they need to do it at the highest possible level. Know about them. Apply for them. Get them.”
🔗 Also on ViralArena: The Mastercard Foundation is one of the most generous scholarships for African women in technology. Read the complete application guide: How to Apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship and Actually Get It
James Carter reports on scholarships, academic opportunities, and education news for TheViralArena.com. He is passionate about connecting students across Africa and beyond with the resources, funding, and information they need to build world-class careers.
James Carter
James Carter reports on scholarships, academic opportunities, and education news for TheViralArena.com. He is passionate about connecting students across Africa and beyond with the resources, funding, and information they need to build world-class careers.
