Empowering Next-Generation Leaders: Equity Group Foundation Trains Thousands of Kenyan Scholars
Nairobi, 14 August 2026
The Equity Group Foundation has equipped 4,949 Kenyan and refugee scholars with vital leadership and digital skills, preparing them to solve real-world community challenges.
A Week of Leadership and Digital Mastery
The 17th Annual Education and Leadership Congress, organised by the Equity Group Foundation (EGF), ran from 10 August 2026 to 14 August 2026 [1][3]. Held across three key locations—Dadaab, Kakuma, and Nairobi—the congress brought together a diverse group of young minds under the theme “Lead, Solve, Sustain: Turning Challenges into Solutions” [1][2][3]. The intensive training cohort comprised 1,996 Wings to Fly scholars in Form Three and Form Four, alongside 2,953 Elimu Scholarship Programme refugee scholars in Form Three [1][3], bringing the total number of beneficiaries trained during this event to 4949 [1][2][3].
Preparing for a Tech-Driven Future
The curriculum for the congress was designed to equip these secondary school students with the practical tools necessary to navigate modern economic landscapes. Facilitated by EGF in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), and various industry experts, the students undertook training in leadership, career readiness, mental resilience, and diversity and inclusion [3]. To ensure these skills translate into long-term professional success, EGF announced plans to enrol the scholars into the ‘Code’ programme immediately upon their completion of secondary school, focusing heavily on digital skill development [3].
Expanding the Horizon of Global Education
This mentorship initiative is part of a broader, highly successful educational ecosystem built by EGF. To date, the Wings to Fly and Elimu scholarship programmes have supported 60,009 vulnerable secondary school scholars in Kenya, achieving an impressive 98% completion rate [1][3]. Furthermore, the Equity Leaders Program (ELP) has supported 10,505 university scholars across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) [1][3]. The foundation has also facilitated 4,039 TVET scholarships in Kenya and the DRC, helping young people secure technical pathways [1][3].
Strategic Partnerships and Community Impact
The scale and impact of these initiatives are made possible through key international and public-sector partnerships. Ambassador Sebastian Groth, the German Ambassador to Kenya, emphasised that investing in young people is one of the most effective ways to strengthen a country’s human potential and future [1][3]. Additionally, Jeremiah Kipaiyu, the Kikuyu Sub-County Director of Education in Kiambu County, reaffirmed the Ministry of Education’s strong partnership with EGF, describing these scholarship programmes as a lifeline that opens critical doors of opportunity for learners [1][3].
Fostering Self-Reliance
Ultimately, the programme aims to foster a generation of self-reliant problem-solvers. Dr James Mwangi, Executive Chairman of EGF and Managing Director & CEO of Equity Group Holdings Plc, urged the scholars to use science and technology to create local and continental solutions rather than just consuming them [1][3]. He noted that while opportunities open doors, personal choices and developed skills determine their ultimate impact [1][2][3]. Through these continuous efforts, EGF aims to ensure that every beneficiary leaves their community and country in a better state than they found them [1][3].