Our Story

Rafiki Global Scholars (RGS) began in 2024 with a deeply personal question: What if every talented student in Tanzania had a fair shot at higher education, no matter their background?

In a country where over 88,000 students graduate from high school each year, there were, until recently, only a handful of opportunities for those from low-income families to pursue world-class universities. Neighboring countries had already made strides with multiple college access programs, but Tanzania had just one of such kind, reaching a small fraction of those who needed it.

RGS was created to change that. Guided by lived experience and a shared mission, we launched Tanzania’s second college access initiative, one built specifically for high-achieving, low-income students who are ready to aim higher. With mentorship, resources, and a belief in each scholar’s potential, we work to unlock the kind of opportunities that can transform not just individual lives, but entire communities.

RGS is more than a program. It’s a growing movement powered by young Tanzanians, educators, and allies working together to level the playing field. From our first cohort, we've built a model rooted in empathy, driven by equity, and committed to long-term impact because we believe that when one student rises, whole communities rise with them.