Equity Group Foundation Inspires Over 4,000 Scholars at 16th Innovation and Leadership Congress
Equity Group Foundation (EGF) leadership led by Board Members, Dr. Ruth Kagia (2nd Left) and Amb. Macharia Kamau (3rd Left), Director EGF Operations, Dr. Joanne Korir (Left), Equity Group Leadership led by Group Chief Operating Officer, Samwel Kirubi (Centre) and other key guests during the 16th Annual Education and Leadership Congress held Alliance Girls High School.
Nairobi, August 19, 2025 – Equity Group Foundation (EGF) has brought together 4,404 Wings to Fly and Elimu scholars, including 3,402 refugee students from Dadaab and Kakuma, for its 16th Annual Education and Leadership Congress held during the August school holidays.
Themed The Innovation Generation: Igniting Ideas, Creating Impact, the two-day regional congress is designed to nurture leadership, innovation, and mentorship among scholars while preparing them to drive social transformation.
The program is run in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, the Ministry of Education, the World Bank, Global Partnership for Education, KfW, Equity Bank, and other development partners.
The event focuses on five pillars central to EGF’s education model academic excellence, value-centered living, transformative leadership, gender sensitization, and giving back to society. Through plenary sessions and interactive mentorship, scholars engage with business leaders, government officials, educators, religious leaders, and program alumni to sharpen their problem-solving skills and embrace innovation as a driver of change.
Speaking during the Nairobi congress at Alliance Girls High School, Equity Group Foundation Board Director Dr. Ruth Kagia, representing Executive Chairman Dr. James Mwangi, emphasized the holistic nature of the initiative.
“We are cultivating a movement of purpose-driven leaders who will redefine Kenya’s future. This model intertwines world-class education, mentorship, and ethical values to create true agents of change. These young leaders are already beginning to transform their communities, and their impact will only grow as we continue to invest in their potential,” she said.
During the Kakuma congress, Equity Bank Kenya’s Director of Legal, Waweru Mathenge, encouraged scholars to embrace innovation and pursue bold ideas. “No dream is too big and no idea too small. You have the potential to be the changemakers of tomorrow,” he said.
Similarly, at Dadaab, Ministry of Education’s Peter Gachanji urged scholars to remain disciplined and committed, reminding them that the opportunity they have is rare and should be fully utilized.
Beyond mentorship, the congress showcased EGF’s growing innovation pillar, including its Tech Apprenticeship Program, which has already offered hands-on experience to 415 scholars in emerging fields such as HealthTech, AgTech, and InsurTech. The Equity Leaders Program (ELP) continues to expand, with 128 scholars securing admission to top global universities in the 2024/2025 cycle, bringing total placements to 1,098 since inception.
To date, Equity Group Foundation has supported 60,009 scholars through Wings to Fly and Elimu scholarships, underscoring its commitment to building the next generation of ethical, innovative, and transformative leaders across Africa.
