Kenya: 113 Equity Leadership Program scholars secure spots at 71 global universities

A total of 113 scholars from the Equity Leadership Program have secured admission and scholarships to join 71 global universities located in 22 countries around the world. The scholars secured scholarships valued at Ksh. 2,797,026,475 (USD 21,497,646) for the four-year duration of their undergraduate studies.

Each scholar will also receive an airlift token of Ksh. 200,000 to support their transition into the global universities. Under EGF’s Education and Leadership Development pillar, the scholars, who were also onboarded into Equity Bank’s paid internship program, benefited from a comprehensive two-month College Counselling program that provided expert guidance on essay writing, university selection, and exam preparation.

The scholars hail from four countries: 82 from Kenya, 21 from Rwanda, 8 from Uganda, and 2 from DRC. They are set to join universities across continents, including North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

This year’s admissions bring the total number of students to 970 who have secured places at prestigious universities on fully funded scholarships. Among them, 13 students will be attending Ivy League institutions such as Brown, Columbia, Harvard, Princeton, Cornell, and the University of Pennsylvania.

Speaking at a dedication and flag- off ceremony to celebrate the scholars, Equity CEO Dr. James Mwangi challenged the students to be agents of change, leveraging the knowledge, values and skills they will acquire to address Africa’s development challenges. “As you embark on this journey, remember to stay adaptable and embrace every challenge with integrity. Embrace the journey ahead and be open to different cultures and perspectives, and let your unique qualities shine. Build strong networks and innovate to create lasting solutions for your community and invest in your ability to overcome challenges and find new approaches as this will be your greatest asset,” he said.

Also speaking during the Airlift Ceremony, Garang Makech Kuol an ELP Scholar joining Bowdoin University, USA, to study Computer Science noted, “The support network I found within Equity during my ELP journey has been instrumental to my success. There were times when doubt crept in, but the unwavering belief of the people around me pushed me forward. The Equity team’s encouragement was like a steady hand guiding me through challenging moments and its incredible to think about how my life has transformed from the adversity of a refugee camp to securing my place at a world-class university. This journey would not have been possible without the support system that Equity has provided.”