Challenges

Many Portuguese-speaking African nations face a critical challenge: a shortage of locally-trained experts in key technical and developmental fields. This capacity gap limits their ability to drive sustainable economic growth, innovate, and address pressing local issues, from public health to infrastructure.

To overcome this, it is essential to create pathways for talented but disadvantaged students to access world-class higher education that may be unavailable or unaffordable in their home countries. By investing in this next generation of leaders through fully-funded university scholarships, Ashinaga Brasil  directly supports the achievement of SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), fostering the human capital required for long-term, self-sufficient development.

Toward a Solution

• Eligible Countries: Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Sao Tome e Principe
• Destination Country: Brazil
• Number of Scholarships Available: 1 per country, per year (total of 5 per year)

In response to a critical shortage of local expertise in Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa (PALOP), Ashinaga Brasil was established in 2019 in Sao Paulo with a clear objective: to cultivate a new generation of highly-skilled, ethical, and globally-minded leaders. The Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) directly addresses the challenge by providing fully-funded university scholarships to talented, orphaned students from Angola, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, and São Tomé e Príncipe, enabling them to study at top-tier Brazilian universities. This mission is intrinsically linked to advancing several Sustainable Development Goals, primarily SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The AAI’s methodology is designed to ensure students not only succeed academically but are primed for leadership. The journey begins with a rigorous selection process that identifies high-potential youth who have lost one or both parents and demonstrate a profound commitment to their communities. Only 5 scholars are chosen per year out of an average number of 1,400 applicants. Before university, scholars undertake a mandatory, intensive Preparatory Year, which includes a three-month residential program in Uganda. This foundational stage strengthens their academic readiness and immerses them in a multicultural environment, fostering a pan-African network of peers. This cross-country exchange is a cornerstone of the program, building bonds and shared understanding before the scholars even arrive in Brazil.

A key innovation that drives the program’s success is the integration of the Japanese concept of kokorozashi—a deep sense of purpose and ambition. Each scholar is required to develop an “Ashinaga Proposal” a tangible social impact project designed to solve a specific problem in their home country. This proposal is not a mere academic exercise; it is the central thread of their scholarship experience, refined over years of study with the goal of future implementation. This unique model directly links higher education to practical, localized solutions—from improving digital literacy in rural Angola to empowering young people living with HIV in Mozambique—thereby building the home country’s competitive advantage by creating a domestic pipeline of problem-solvers.

The AAI is a powerful example of South-South Cooperation. It facilitates a dynamic exchange of knowledge between African nations and Brazil, with Brazilian universities providing technical expertise and the scholars offering unique perspectives. This is further enriched by other programs offered by Ashinaga Brasil, such as Kaigai Kenshu, which brings Japanese students to Brazil to interact and study together with AAI scholars, creating a three-way dialogue. This framework is formalized through partnerships with institutions like the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on projects such as ProEdu, which strengthens human capital in Mozambique.

The results achieved are a testament to the model’s effectiveness. Since its inception, the IAA has maintained a 100% course completion rate for its PEC-G scholars, with an impressive 100% of graduates finding full-time employment within one year. Furthermore, 64% of alumni pursue postgraduate studies, deepening their expertise. The program is also a catalyst for gender equality, with 51% of its scholars being women. Impact is measured not just by these quantitative metrics, but by monitoring the long-term contributions of alumni as they return to Africa and begin implementing their Ashinaga Proposal projects, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

The initiative’s sustainability is secured through a diversified strategy. It is backed by the global Ashinaga movement, which has operated for over 50 years, and supported by a network of corporate partners, foundations, and individual donors, ensuring it does not rely on government funding. Its institutional partnerships with Brazilian universities and international bodies provide long-term stability. The ultimate guarantee of its enduring benefit, however, is the alumni network—a growing community of leaders committed to “paying it forward” and mentoring the next generation.

The Ashinaga model is highly replicable. Its success requires several key conditions: a host country with a strong higher education sector, robust partnerships for student support, a transparent selection process focused on both academic merit and social commitment, and a sustainable, diversified funding base. The primary lesson learned is that financial aid alone is insufficient. True transformation requires a holistic approach that combines education with intensive leadership training, psychosocial support, and a clear focus on social purpose. It is this combination that empowers Ashinaga Brasil scholars to not only change their own lives, but to become architects of their countries’ futures.