Z Zurich Foundation Scholarship 2026: Fully Funded to Attend One Young World Summit in Cape Town – Exclusive for African Young Leaders!
Young African changemakers from Nigeria and across the continent — here’s your shot at a life-changing, fully funded leadership experience! The Z Zurich Foundation Scholarship 2026, in partnership with One Young World, is now open. It selects 25 outstanding young African leaders to attend the prestigious One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, from 3–6 November 2026.
This scholarship removes financial barriers so you can focus on growth, networking, and amplifying your impact. If you’re driving solutions in social equity, education access, youth employability, or entrepreneurship — especially helping vulnerable or marginalized youth transition from learning to earning — this is tailored for you. No tuition fees, no hidden costs — everything is covered!
The Z Zurich Foundation prioritizes prevention and brighter futures for vulnerable people, with pillars including social equity, mental well-being, climate adaptation, and crisis response. This scholarship aligns with enabling social equity through education, employment, and entrepreneurship in low-income or underserved African contexts.
What the Scholarship Fully Covers
As a Z Zurich Foundation Scholar, you’ll receive:
- Full participation in the One Young World Summit 2026 (all sessions, workshops, and events)
- Round-trip international flights to Cape Town
- Hotel accommodation (1–6 November 2026)
- Full catering (meals throughout the summit)
- Local transportation between venues
- Exclusive access to Z Zurich Foundation mentorship sessions and collaboration opportunities
- Membership in the global One Young World network (lifetime connections with 2,200+ leaders from 190+ countries)
This isn’t just attendance — it’s leadership development, global visibility for your work, and potential for partnerships that scale your initiatives.
Who Is Eligible? Key Criteria
- Be an African national or resident (explicitly targets young African leaders)
- Aged 18–35 by November 2026 (at the Summit date)
- Demonstrate proven leadership and measurable social impact through initiatives (e.g., projects supporting youth education-to-employment transitions, inclusive entrepreneurship, or employability solutions)
- Be actively engaged in addressing barriers for underserved youth in low-income contexts
- Commit to collaboration and engagement with the Z Zurich Foundation and fellow scholars
No strict academic requirements (no CGPA/GPA mentioned) — selection focuses on impact, sustainability of your work, and potential to contribute to global change. Open to Nigerians and all Africans!
Application Process & What to Prepare
Submit online via the official One Young World scholarship portal. Your application will highlight:
- Your leadership journey and initiatives
- The social issues you address (focus on social equity/education/employability)
- Measurable community impact
- Motivation for attending the Summit and how it aligns with your goals
The process is competitive — emphasize real results, innovation, and vision for Africa’s future.
Key Dates for 2026:
- Applications Open: March 16, 2026 (or around mid-March)
- Deadline: May 4, 2026 (some sources note May 5 — confirm on site)
- Summit: 3–6 November 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa (venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre, with opening at DHL Stadium)
Apply early — rolling reviews may apply, and spots are limited to 25!
Why This Scholarship Is a Game-Changer for African Youth in 2026
The One Young World Summit brings together young leaders to tackle global challenges — from climate to inequality. Being selected as a Z Zurich Scholar puts you on stage with influencers, offers exclusive mentorship, and boosts your project’s visibility. Past scholars have secured funding, partnerships, and scaled initiatives post-Summit.
For Nigerians in Ibadan, Lagos, Abuja, or elsewhere — this Africa-hosted Summit (first return since 2013) is especially meaningful. It’s a fully funded pathway to global networks without financial strain.
Apply Now – Don’t Miss Out!
Share this with your network — tag young leaders in education, entrepreneurship, or youth empowerment! Who’s applying from Nigeria?













I want to build a health website