The European Union (EU) Delegation to Kenya and Equity Group Foundation (EGF) have signed a partnership agreement aimed at expanding access to quality education, strengthening human capital development, and increasing global learning opportunities for high-achieving students in Kenya and across the region.
The cooperation agreement was signed by the EU Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, and Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman and Equity Group Managing Director and CEO, Dr. James Mwangi. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Principal Secretary for the State Department for Higher Education and Research, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, and Principal Secretary for the State Department for Science, Research and Innovation, Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak.
The partnership formalises a shared commitment to nurturing talent, broadening access to higher education, and connecting Kenyan students to transformative learning opportunities in Europe and beyond.
Under the agreement, the two institutions will collaborate to increase awareness of European education opportunities among beneficiaries of the Equity Leaders Program (ELP) and facilitate access to academic programmes offered by European universities.
A key component of the initiative is a plan to support 100 Equity scholars annually to pursue master’s degree programmes in European universities, providing talented students with access to world-class education, research opportunities and international exposure.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Ambassador Geiger said the partnership aligns with the shared goal of promoting education as a driver of social and economic development.
“The Equity Group Foundation, through its Wings to Fly and Equity Leaders Program, is an ideal partner for us, with our shared objectives of promoting access to quality education, holistic development and intercultural exchanges as a key driver of growth and human capital development,” she said.
Dr. Mwangi said the collaboration reflects a deliberate effort to diversify global education pathways for Kenyan scholars and prepare them for leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.
“While our initial model focused on supporting students through public universities and structured internships, we are now deliberately diversifying global pathways for our scholars. This partnership builds on that journey. It is inspired by the need to broaden access beyond traditional destinations and create truly global opportunities,” he said.
“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.”
The partnership will leverage opportunities available through Erasmus+, the European Union’s flagship programme supporting education, training, youth and sport. Kenya has emerged as one of the strongest Erasmus+ partners in Africa, with approximately 600 Kenyan students and academics travelling annually to more than 30 European countries for study and research programmes.
At the same time, about 300 European academics and researchers visit Kenyan universities each year, helping to strengthen institutional partnerships and knowledge exchange.
Principal Secretary Dr. Inyangala welcomed the initiative, saying international collaborations play a critical role in expanding opportunities for Kenyan students and researchers.
“Partnerships such as this create invaluable opportunities for our students, researchers and academics to access world-class education, advanced research and international exposure. They also facilitate the exchange of knowledge and emerging technologies, enabling us to continuously strengthen our institutions and enrich our curricula to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy,” she said.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that enhance global learning opportunities and skills development for Kenyan scholars.
The Equity Leaders Program, established in 1998, provides mentorship, leadership development and academic support to top-performing students, helping them transition from secondary education to global learning and leadership pathways.
To date, more than 1,200 scholars from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have secured fully funded placements at leading international universities through the programme. Additionally, more than 10,500 paid internship opportunities have been facilitated to equip scholars with practical workplace experience.
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