For African students interested in climate resilience, insurance, actuarial science, statistics and disaster risk management, the ARC–GSSP Scholarship Programme offers a specialized postgraduate opportunity worth paying attention to.
The 2026/2027 programme is offering 12 scholarships for full-time postgraduate study at selected universities in Africa. The programme is designed to strengthen Africa’s capacity to understand, manage and finance climate and disaster risks while developing professionals who can contribute to African solutions.
Importantly for readers in Southern Africa, Zimbabwe is explicitly included among the eligible nationalities on the current application form.
About the ARC–GSSP Scholarship Programme
The programme is offered through a partnership between African Risk Capacity Limited (ARC Ltd.) and the Global Shield Solutions Platform (GSSP).
It focuses on academic and professional areas that are increasingly important as African countries deal with climate change, extreme weather events and disaster-related financial risks.
The 2026/2027 programme provides support for up to two years of full-time postgraduate study and has 12 scholarships available across four partner institutions in South Africa, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal.
What the Scholarship Covers
Selected scholars receive comprehensive support towards their postgraduate studies.
The scholarship package includes:
- Full tuition coverage for up to two years
- Living stipend
- Travel support
- Other eligible study-related expenses
- Mentorship and career development opportunities
- Internship opportunities through ARC Ltd. and its partner networks
The programme is intended to combine academic training with practical professional development in areas connected to climate and disaster risk.
Where Can You Study?
Applicants can select from participating universities and programmes currently listed on the application form.
University of Cape Town — South Africa
Postgraduate Diploma in Actuarial Science
The programme has a January 2027 intake.
University of Ghana — Accra
Applicants can choose between:
- Master of Science in Actuarial Science
- Master of Philosophy in Actuarial Science
These programmes have a January 2027 intake.
IFAGE — Dakar, Senegal
Available programmes include:
- Master Professionnel en Actuariat
- Master Professionnel en Assurance
These programmes have a January 2027 intake.
ENSEA — Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Available programmes include:
- Master en Statistique Agricole
- Master en Actuariat
These programmes have a September 2027 intake.
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship is aimed at citizens of African Union Member States with relevant academic backgrounds.
The current programme information identifies fields including:
- Actuarial Science
- Insurance
- Agricultural Statistics
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Engineering
- Environmental Management
- Disaster Risk Management and related disciplines
Applicants must also apply for an eligible full-time postgraduate programme and meet the admission requirements of their selected university.
Zimbabwe is specifically available as a nationality option on the current application form, making this a particularly relevant opportunity for Zimbabwean applicants.
Important: Scholarship Application Is Separate From University Admission
This is one of the most important things applicants should understand.
Submitting the ARC–GSSP scholarship application does not automatically mean you have applied for university admission.
Applicants are responsible for applying separately to their selected university and meeting that university’s admission requirements and deadlines.
The scholarship award is conditional on admission to the selected programme.
Applicants should therefore begin the university admission process as early as possible rather than waiting until the scholarship deadline.
What You Need to Prepare
The current application form asks applicants for a range of information and supporting documents.
These include:
- Personal and contact information
- Nationality and residential details
- University and graduation information
- Academic grade/GPA
- Field of study
- Relevant qualifications or certificates
- Preferred university and programme
- University admission information
- Motivation statement
- Personal growth response
- Personal aspirations
- A statement explaining how the applicant hopes to contribute to Africa
- Details for two academic or professional referees
- National ID or passport
- Academic certificates and/or transcripts
- A CV of no more than two pages
- Additional supporting documents where applicable
The form also asks applicants to explain why they have selected their programme, how they intend to use the knowledge gained in their careers and what impact they hope to make in Africa.
Application Deadline
The deadline for the 2026/2027 ARC Ltd. Scholarship Programme is:
7 October 2026 at 23:59 GMT
Late applications will not be considered.
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How to Apply
Applicants should first identify an eligible programme and begin the separate university admission process.
After that, complete the ARC Ltd. Scholarship Programme application and submit the required supporting documents.
The application form is currently live and explicitly lists Zimbabwe among the available nationalities.
Conclusion
The ARC–GSSP Scholarship Programme is a specialised opportunity for African students who want to build careers around climate risk, insurance, actuarial science, statistics and disaster resilience.
With postgraduate study taking place at partner institutions across Africa, the programme also offers applicants the chance to gain advanced technical skills without having to pursue their studies outside the continent.
For Zimbabwean and other African applicants with a relevant academic background, this is one to investigate before the October deadline.
TheOpHub Tip
Do not leave the university admission process until the last minute. Because the scholarship application and university admission are separate, applicants should check their preferred institution’s requirements immediately and work on both processes at the same time.
If it’s rare, hidden, or slept-on, TheOpHub finds it.