121 Equity Leaders Program scholars secure scholarships worth KSh3.02B across 16 countries
A total of 121 scholars under the Equity Leaders Program (ELP) have secured admission and comprehensive scholarships to 63 universities in 16 countries during the 2025/2026 application cycle, expanding the programme’s footprint across some of the world’s leading institutions of higher learning.
The scholars are from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with Kenya accounting for 86 admissions, Rwanda 29, Uganda four and the DRC two. Their universities are spread across Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, with the scholarship packages secured for the cohort valued at approximately KSh3.02 billion for the duration of their undergraduate studies.
Twenty of the scholars have been admitted to Ivy League institutions, bringing the total number of ELP scholars who have gained admission to Ivy League universities to 240.
Another 44 scholars have completed interviews and are awaiting final admission and scholarship decisions under the Kenyan government’s overseas undergraduate scholarship programme. Of these, 23 were interviewed for the Türkiye Government Scholarship, while 21 were interviewed for the Romania Government Scholarship.
The latest admissions add to the growing number of young Africans accessing international higher education through the Equity Leaders Program, which combines academic preparation, college counselling, mentorship and leadership development to help high-performing students compete for opportunities at leading universities.
Speaking during the commissioning of the scholars in Nairobi, Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman and Equity Group Managing Director and CEO James Mwangi said the programme was intended to prepare young people to contribute to Africa’s development after gaining exposure and skills through international education.
Among the scholars heading abroad is Aime Iradukunda from Uganda, who has been admitted to Harvard College to study Electrical Engineering and Economics. Iradukunda, a former student of Royal Giant High School in Mityana, said he had applied to about 14 universities before receiving his Harvard admission.
“I believed my chances of getting in were very slim, so when the acceptance letter came, I was in complete disbelief,” he said, crediting the support of Equity Bank Uganda and Equity Group for helping him pursue the opportunity.
Kenyan scholar Grace Sang’ has also secured admission to New York University Abu Dhabi, where she will study Computer Science. A former student of Alliance Girls High School, Sang’ said exposure to stories from ELP alumni and support from the Equity College Counselling Program helped shape her ambitions and strengthened her university applications.
The latest cohort brings the total number of students supported by the Equity Leaders Program to 1,236, with the scholars having acquired admissions and scholarships to 247 universities in 40 countries across six continents.
The programme, managed by Equity Group Foundation, targets high-performing young people and provides them with mentorship, coaching, internships and college counselling as they prepare for university and leadership opportunities.
Beyond securing university placements, the programme has sought to build a network of scholars and alumni who can use their education and professional networks to contribute to their communities and wider socioeconomic development in Africa.
Further, the newly admitted scholars are expected to begin their undergraduate studies at their respective universities after receiving transition support from the programme.
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