AfDB inks $73.31m loan to boost Kenya’s Science, Technology Education

The African Development Fund (ADF), part of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), has approved a $73.31 million loan to advance Kenya’s tertiary science and technology education, positioning the country for a stronger, tech-driven future.

Announced late last week, the funding will spearhead the second phase of the Support to Higher Education, Science and Technology Project (HEST II), upgrading 19 public universities with state-of-the-art laboratories, cutting-edge teaching equipment, and advanced digital learning facilities, building on the successes of the first phase that enhanced eight universities and strengthened engineering programs nationwide.

This ambitious initiative, set to connect every region with a more robust higher education system, is projected to benefit over 20,000 students—including 8,000 young women—while generating approximately 5,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2030.

The project will establish three centers of excellence in engineering and a pioneering science and technology park, providing students and researchers with platforms to transform innovative ideas into viable business and industry solutions.
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Additionally, it will fund scholarships for 103 university lecturers, retrain staff to align with emerging technological demands, introduce a competency-based education curriculum, and nurture youth entrepreneurship through comprehensive training and mentorship programs, with over 100 youth-led startups slated to receive support via new incubation hubs.

Hendrina Doroba, Division Manager for Education and Skills Development at AfDB, emphasized the transformative potential of the investment, stating, “For many, education remains the surest path to a better life. We’re helping Kenya’s young people gain the skills that employers need today, and the confidence to create their own jobs tomorrow.”