Femi Akindele
The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) is a capacity-building program by the African Development Bank and the Government of Japan.
This African Development Bank Scholarship is a fully funded opportunity offering high-achieving African students a two-year opportunity to pursue post-graduate studies at master’s level in energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, and engineering.
In this post, we will provide you with the details, requirements, benefits, required documents, and the step-by-step application guide for interested candidates.
Japan Africa Dream Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: Japan
- Study Abroad: Study in Asia
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: African Countries
- Reward: Full Scholarship | $11,420 per year | Travel Costs | Health Insurance | Postgraduate Internship
- No IELTS Required
- Deadline: Varies by Institution.
African Development Bank Japan Africa Dream Scholarship 2026 Details:
The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship is open to applicants from African Development Bank member countries with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts who are applying to a graduate degree program in energy development and related disciplines.
The overarching goal of the African Development Bank and the Government of Japan is to enhance human resources capacity in Africa, in keeping with the Bank’s High 5 strategic priorities, namely;
- Feed Africa,
- Light up and power Africa,
- Industrialize Africa,
- Integrate Africa, and
- Improve the quality of life of the people of Africa.
Upon completion of their studies, the scholars are expected to return to their home countries and contribute to national and continental socio-economic development, using the newly acquired knowledge and skills.
Requirements for African Development Bank Scholarship (AfDB-JADS)
To be considered for the African Development Bank Scholarship (AfDB-JADS), you must:
- Be a national of an AfDB member country
- Be 35 years old or less
- Have a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent degree) bachelor’s degree (or equivalent degree) in energy, agriculture, health.environmental sustainability, engineering studies or related areas with excellent academic records, relevant professional experience and a history of supporting your country’s development efforts
- Have at least 1 year of paid employment in your home country or in other African countries after receiving your Bachelor’s (or equivalent degree) within the past 3 years
- Not be living or working outside of your home country
- Not already be enrolled in a graduate degree program
- Not be an Executive Director, his/her alternate, and/or staff of all types of appointments of the African Development Bank Group or a close relative of the aforementioned by blood or adoption with the term “close relative” defined as: Mother, Father, Sister, Half-sister, Brother, Half-brother, Son, Daughter, Aunt, Uncle, Niece, or Nephew
- Agree to return to your home country to contribute to its economic and social development after the completion of studies under the program.
Benefits of Japan Africa Dream Scholarship 2026
- Tuition fee coverage for the duration of the study program (24 months).
- 144,000 JPY Monthly living stipend ($11,420/year) for the duration of the study program (24 months).
- Air travel from the home country to the host university at the start of the study program and back home at the end of the scholarship period.
- Health insurance, usually obtained through the university.
- Additional six (6) months for advance preparatory study or internships after graduation.
- For scholars engaged in research, a special grant may be available for research and thesis preparation.
- In special circumstances, computer literacy, preparatory language and other similar courses may be covered under the scholarship.
How to Apply for Japan Africa Dream Scholarship 2026 (Step by Step)
To apply for the 2025 Japan Africa Dream Scholarship, interested and qualified applicants should;
- Click on the link below to visit the scholarship application webpage
- Request information and application forms and procedures from the chosen JADS partner university using the provided contacts.
- The candidate completes and submits application for admission.
- The university evaluates and selects applicants and gives them a provisional offer letter.
- University sends list of selected candidates to the African Development Bank and the Bank further shares the list with the JADS Program Implementation Unit (PIU) to evaluate the applications based on a set of criteria.
- After the evaluation, the African Development Bank contacts the successful candidates and informs the universities.
- Important: All applications should go through the partner universities; no separate application to the African Development Bank is necessary.
- Only candidates who have been offered admission and endorsed by the university will be considered for the JADS Program.
