NAIROBI, Kenya, June 12 – The European Union and Equity Group Foundation (EGF) have signed a partnership agreement that will see 100 top-performing Kenyan and regional scholars secure opportunities to pursue master’s degree studies in European universities every year.
The partnership seeks to expand access to international education, strengthen skills development and expose young Africans to global learning and research opportunities through the Equity Leaders Program (ELP).
Under the agreement, the two institutions will work together to increase awareness of European scholarship opportunities among Equity scholars and create structured pathways for admission into universities across Europe.
EU Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger said the collaboration is aimed at promoting quality education, leadership development and intercultural exchange among young people. She noted that the Equity Leaders Program has become a strong platform for identifying and nurturing talented students from across the region.
Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman Dr. James Mwangi said the initiative marks a shift toward broadening global education opportunities for scholars beyond traditional destinations. He added that the partnership will help build globally competitive leaders equipped with international networks, skills and exposure.
The program builds on Kenya’s growing participation in the Erasmus+ education initiative, through which about 600 Kenyan students and academics travel to European institutions annually, while hundreds of European scholars engage with Kenyan universities.
The Equity Leaders Program, launched in 1998, has so far helped more than 1,200 scholars from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo secure fully funded admissions to leading universities around the world. The program has also facilitated over 10,500 paid internships aimed at improving graduates’ workplace readiness.
Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala welcomed the partnership, saying it will strengthen academic collaboration, research, innovation and knowledge exchange between Kenya and Europe while expanding opportunities for Kenyan students and researchers.
