121 scholars under the Equity Leaders Program (ELP) have secured admission to some of the world’s leading universities after winning fully funded undergraduate scholarships worth more than KSh3 billion.
The successful students, drawn from Kenya (86), Rwanda (29), Uganda (4) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2), will begin their studies during the 2025/2026 application cycle.
According to the Equity Group Foundation, the scholars have been admitted to 63 universities across 16 countries spanning North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Each student received a comprehensive scholarship package covering the cost of their undergraduate studies.
The scholarships are collectively valued at USD 23.4 million (approximately KSh3.02 billion) over the duration of the students’ degree programmes.
44 More Await Overseas Scholarship Confirmation
In addition to the 121 scholars already admitted, 44 Equity Leaders Program scholars have completed interviews for government-sponsored overseas undergraduate scholarships and are awaiting final admission and scholarship confirmations.
Among them are 23 students interviewed for the Türkiye Government Scholarship and 21 others shortlisted for the Romania Government Scholarship.
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Speaking during the commissioning ceremony held at Equity Centre in Upper Hill, Nairobi, Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman and Equity Group Managing Director and CEO Dr James Mwangi said the programme continues to nurture Africa’s next generation of ethical and transformative leaders.
“The Equity Leaders Program represents our long-term commitment to Africa’s potential and a belief that the continent’s next chapter of growth will be shaped by well-prepared, values-led talent,” Dr Mwangi said.
He urged the scholars to embrace the opportunity to learn from the world’s leading institutions before returning home to contribute to Africa’s development.
“As you leave for global universities, remember you are carrying the dreams of your families and the expectations of our nations. Learn boldly, lead with integrity and return equipped with world-class knowledge, networks and confidence to build solutions that expand opportunity, competitiveness and shared prosperity across Africa,” he added.
Also speaking during the event, Ondrej Simek, Deputy Head of Delegation at the European Union Delegation to Kenya, congratulated the students for earning places through a highly competitive selection process.
“You have earned your place through an incredibly competitive process. Now step boldly into what comes next; work hard, stay curious, push beyond your comfort zone and build friendships across cultures as you learn from the world around you as much as from the classroom,” he said.
Equity Says Ugandan Scholar Headed to Harvard
Among the beneficiaries is Aime Iradukunda from Uganda, who secured admission to Harvard College in the United States, where he will pursue Electrical Engineering and Economics.
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A former student at Royal Giant High School in Mityana, Iradukunda emerged as the top-performing male student in Mityana District after scoring 20 points in the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations.
Reflecting on his journey, he said he had applied to about 14 universities before receiving the admission offer from Harvard.
“I believed my chances of getting in were very slim, so when the acceptance letter came, I was in complete disbelief. I am deeply grateful to the leadership of Equity Bank Uganda and Equity Group for believing in me and giving me this life-changing opportunity,” he said.
The Equity Leaders Program is an initiative of the Equity Group Foundation that identifies top-performing students, mentors them and supports their transition to leading universities around the world, with the aim of developing future African leaders.
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