Equity links with EU to expand access to quality education in Kenya

Seated Left to Right: Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman and Group Managing Director and CEO, Dr James Mwangi, and the European Union Ambassador to Kenya,  Henriette Geiger. Standing Left to Right: Principal Secretary for the State Department for Higher Education and Research,

The European Union and the Equity Group Foundation have partnered to expand access to quality education, strengthen human capital development, and broaden global learning opportunities for high-achieving students in Kenya.

The partners will collaborate to promote awareness of the EU’s education opportunities among Equity Leaders Program scholars and increase access to European academic opportunities.

The initiative aims to send 100 Equity scholars annually to European universities for master’s degree programmes, creating a structured pathway for talented young Africans to access world-class education, research opportunities, and international exposure.

Speaking during the signing, the European Union Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, said praised the bank’s Wings to Fly and Equity Leaders Programmes, saying that they align with the union’s shared objectives of promoting access to quality education, holistic development and intercultural exchanges.

Equity Bank boss James Mwangi noted that the partnership underscores a strategic focus on developing globally competitive human capital through education-driven transformation.

“While our initial model focused on supporting students through public universities and structured internships, we are now deliberately diversifying global pathways for our scholars.”

He added that the initiative is inspired by the need to broaden access beyond traditional destinations and create truly global opportunities.

“We view education not only as academic advancement but as a bridge to global networks, ideas, and leadership. These connections, across continents, institutions, and people, are what produce globally competitive leaders capable of transforming societies.”

Kenya is one of Europe’s strongest Erasmus+ partners in Africa.

Every year, around 600 Kenyan students and academics travel to more than 30 European countries, while approximately 300 Europeans, mainly academic staff, comes to Kenyan universities.

These exchanges enrich individuals, strengthen institutions, and build lasting partnerships between Kenyan and European universities.

Higher Education PS, Beatrice Inyangala said the partnership, noting that collaborations between Kenyan institutions and global education partners have expanded opportunities for students and academics while advancing knowledge exchange and innovation.

“Partnerships such as this create invaluable opportunities for our students, researchers and academics to access world-class education, advanced research, and international exposure.”

The Equity Leaders Program (ELP), established in 1998, provides a structured pipeline for high-achieving students by supporting their transition from secondary education to global learning and leadership pathways.

To date, more than 1,206 scholars from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have secured fully funded admission to leading global universities.

Nearly half of the €580 million allocated to Sub-Saharan Africa under Erasmus+ supports mobility between African and European higher education institutions.