![Zawadi Africa Education Fund](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fiebucket.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com%2F03d31209-f7d3-4b58-bbaa-3331706770c5%2Fgallery4.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
Project start date: 1/1/2002
Zawadi Africa Education Fund
Zawadi Africa Education Fund is a leadership development program that provides university scholarships, leadership training, and life skills training to academically gifted but financially disadvantaged African girls to create a pipeline of young women leaders in Africa.
Scaling
1-3 years
Last update: October 05, 2023
Challenge
The program addresses the issue of limited access to higher education and leadership opportunities for academically talented but financially disadvantaged African girls. By providing scholarships and training, the initiative aims to empower these girls and create a generation of young women leaders in Africa.
Description
The innovation provides university scholarships, leadership training, and life skills training. M&E includes regular reporting on academic performance and checks on alumni's community projects. A coordinator in the US monitors the progress of girls enrolled in universities to ensure they are doing well. A Facebook group helps track progress, and regular email and phone conversations occur between the girls and Zawadi staff.
SDGs
![DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fiebucket.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com%2Fassets%2Fimg%2Fsdg%2F08-decent-work-and-economic-growth.png&w=256&q=75)
![GENDER EQUALITY](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fiebucket.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com%2Fassets%2Fimg%2Fsdg%2F05-gender-equality.png&w=256&q=75)
![QUALITY EDUCATION](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fiebucket.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com%2Fassets%2Fimg%2Fsdg%2F04-quality-education.png&w=256&q=75)
Skills
Outcomes
The program started in Kenya in 2002 with the first class of 2 graduating in 2006. The program has expanded to Uganda and Ghana. In 2013, 38 girls were enrolled, and in 2014, 80 girls qualified for scholarships. The number receiving scholarships is expected to exceed that of 2013.