The goal of Australia Awards Africa is to enhance the development of targeted African countries and their relationships with Australia through alumni contributions. The program builds the capacity and leadership skills of Africans so they can more effectively contribute to development outcomes in their home countries on return from award. The Program’s four major outcomes are:

• Alumni are using their knowledge, skills and attitudes to contribute positively in their professional fields or communities;

• Alumni are using their new skills, knowledge and attitudes to contribute to gender equality;

• Alumni have, or support, links with Australia, Australian organisations, or other Australia Awards alumni; and

• Alumni view Australia and Australians in a positive light.

The major components contributing to these four Program outcomes are:

• master’s scholarships  

• short courses in key strategic priority areas  

• enabling activities that support the successful delivery of Australia Awards 

• other activities to support the Program and the broader Pan-African aid program as and when required. 

The Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism in Africa Short Course is a priority short course for the Program in 2026-28. 

The purpose of this short course is to facilitate the exchange of lessons, knowledge, skills, tools and networks between Australia and Africa to strengthen responses to terrorism and violent extremism.

The AASC aims to:

• facilitate the sharing of experiences and lessons related to preventing and responding to terrorism and violent extremisms

• enhance participants' understanding of effective policy frameworks and international responses to terrorism and addressing violent extremism, including responses from Australia and the Asia Pacific region

• provide a platform for networking and collaboration among participants from diverse backgrounds, helping to foster partnerships to address shared challenges of terrorism and violent extremism.