Matched funding gift to accelerate LSE's 100 African Scholars initiative
A new £1 million philanthropic commitment from LSE alumnus Firoz Lalji (BSc Economics 1969) will help accelerate the London School of Economics and Political Science's ambitious goal of providing 100 scholarships for African students each year through philanthropy.
A £1 million gift to double the impact of donations
This gift from LSE benefactor and founder of the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa will provide matched funding of up to £1,000 per donation, creating a powerful incentive for alumni, friends and supporters to back the School's 100 African Scholars initiative and help expand opportunities for talented students across the continent.
The initiative was launched in 2021 with lead support from Jules Green (BSc Management Sciences 1985), and his wife Sue Green, and strengthened by further support from other alumni and friends in recent years.
The impact of the scholarship is already being felt by the current Africa Endowment Scholar who was working with Sudan's Ministry of Health before coming to LSE.
This scholarship did not just bring me to LSE; it allowed me to feel safe, welcomed, and hopeful again. The generosity of the donors who made my scholarship possible lifted me from a moment of displacement and uncertainty and placed me on a path where I can imagine becoming part of Sudan's future.
Inspired by LSE’s alumni community in Africa
The inspiration behind this generous new gift from Firoz Lalji was the recent trip to Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa by Professor Larry Kramer, LSE's Vice Chancellor and President. Firoz and Dr Musimbi Kanyoro, Independent Member of LSE Council, joined him on the trip and in every city the alumni they met spoke openly about the transformative opportunity of studying at LSE. Many of them also referenced that their time at the School only became possible because someone, somewhere, believed in them and provided financial support.
What stood out most during this trip was the strength of LSE's global alumni community. As Larry Kramer shared his vision for the School's future, the energy and openness of our alumni to reconnect and engage was inspiring. It was a privilege to be part of it.
LSE is committed to ensuring that talented students can access a world-class education regardless of their financial circumstances. Scholarships play a crucial role in removing barriers to study and enabling future leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs and policymakers to fulfil their potential. But today students from Africa make up just 1.6 per cent of LSE's student community, despite the continent representing around 20 per cent of the world's population. In the 2025/26 academic year we were only able to offer scholarships to 23 students from Africa.
Help open the doors of LSE to the next generation
Supporters can learn more about the impact of the initiative and hear directly from students and alumni in this film.
We know that many of our alumni want to support future African students at LSE. Now those wishing to give to the Africa Scholarship Fund can contribute knowing that their gift will have double the impact through Firoz Lalji's new commitment, helping to open the doors of LSE to the next generation of African leaders.
How the matched funding works
The gift's funded will be used to matched donations of up to a value of £1,000 per donation raised by LSE each year, and up to £10,000 for multi-year pledges, over five years.
Below are some indicative figures to explain how the matched funding works:
- Your gift of £100 + £100 match from Firoz = £200 for African Scholarships at LSE
- Your gift of £1,000 + £1,000 match from Firoz = £2,000 for African Scholarships at LSE
Match the moment and double the impact of your gift today.
For more information about the 100 African Scholars programme and the matching scheme email:
Aoife Jones, Head of Philanthropy in LSE's Philanthropy and Global Engagement Division.
During my recent trip to Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya I had the privilege of meeting alumni, supporters and university partners whose insight, commitment and generosity reaffirmed how central LSE’s relationship with the continent is to our shared future. Each conversation underscored the depth of talent and ambition across the continent, and the extraordinary impact that LSE graduates are already making in their communities.
