Japan UNITAR Capacity Development Programme to Empower Youth & Women from African Countries
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
Quick Facts
A word from Eli, founder of Rise Africa Scholars
MSc Information Security — Unicaf Scholar
While you wait for a fully funded opportunity, don’t put your education on hold. I completed my MSc through Unicaf — studying online from Nairobi while working full-time. The tuition discount made it genuinely affordable, and the degree is from an accredited UK university.
If you’re serious about advancing your career now, I’d encourage you to explore it. I only recommend what I’ve used myself.
About This Scholarship
UNITAR, with support from the Government of Japan, is launching a multi-phase capacity development programme to strengthen the entrepreneurial and leadership skills of African youth and women professionals aged 18-35 from Sub-Saharan Africa. The programme runs from 17 August 2026 to 28 February 2027 in Hiroshima, Japan with blended delivery (virtual learning and in-person immersion), supporting participants to transform innovative ideas into scalable, partnership-ready, and investment-oriented initiatives.
What This Scholarship Covers
- No participation fees
- Certificate of completion for each phase
- Mentorship and expert guidance
- Networking with African and Japanese innovation ecosystems
- International exposure (Japan immersion for selected participants)
- Partnership opportunities at Africa-Japan Innovation Round Table
Who Can Apply
- 1 Must be aged 18-35 years old
- 2 Must be a national of one of the eligible Sub-Saharan African countries: Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe
- 3 Must be a youth or women professional
- 4 Must be an aspiring or early-stage entrepreneur, SME founder, professional, researcher, social innovator, or ecosystem builder
- 5 Must be working in or aspiring to contribute to one of the eligible fields of study