Equity Group Foundation Hosts 16th Annual Education and Leadership Congress for Over 18,000 Scholars
Equity Group Foundation (EGF) is hosting its 16th Annual Education and Leadership Congress, bringing together 18,442 Wings to Fly and Elimu scholars across 11 regions during the April school holidays. Among them are 2,512 refugee scholars from Dadaab and Kakuma camps, reflecting the program’s commitment to inclusive education.
Held under the theme “The Innovation Generation: Igniting Ideas, Creating Impact,” the two-day regional congress aims to empower scholars through leadership development, mentorship, and social transformation.
The initiative is implemented in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, the Ministry of Education, the World Bank, the German Government (KfW), Equity Bank, and other stakeholders.
The Nairobi congress saw the participation of 3,200 scholars from seven counties, supported by 65 Equity Bank branches. Distinguished guests, including representatives from the Ministry of Education, UNHCR, the Department of Refugee Services, captains of industry, academics, and teacher champions from Kenya and beyond, joined the scholars for the event.
Equity Group Foundation’s scholarship programs Wings to Fly and Elimu offer full secondary school scholarships to bright and underprivileged students. To date, over 60,000 students have benefited from these programs, underscoring EGF’s transformative impact on Kenya’s education landscape.
The congress is designed around five core pillars: academic excellence, value-centered living, transformative leadership, giving back to society, and gender sensitization. Scholars engage in plenary sessions with top leaders and experts to spark innovation and instill a spirit of purpose-driven leadership.
“The mentorship model used by EGF is transformative. It nurtures not only academic talent but also equips scholars with the adaptability and leadership required to solve Africa’s challenges,” said Prof. Virginia Gitonga, Vice Chancellor of Machakos University, during her address to the scholars.
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. James Mwangi, Executive Chairman of Equity Group Foundation, emphasized the holistic nature of the program:“We are not just nurturing scholars we are building a generation of leaders and innovators who will redefine the future of this country. Through our integrated approach combining education, mentorship, and ethical values, we are creating agents of positive change whose impact will ripple across society.”
Beyond the congress, EGF’s Innovation pillar has launched impactful programs such as the Tech Apprenticeship Program, which has provided 415 Wings to Fly alumni and Equity Leaders Program (ELP) scholars with hands-on experience in emerging fields like HealthTech, AgTech, InsurTech, and LegalTech.
Scholars have also benefited from mentorship by global tech giants including Microsoft, Cisco, and AWS.
Additionally, 113 ELP scholars have received full scholarships to study at leading global universities this year. Since inception, over 970 global scholars have attended 233 universities in 37 countries, including 204 at Ivy League institutions. The ELP now boasts 29,515 scholars, with 750 new interns inducted this year.
The program has also facilitated 9,700 paid internships and supported 3,979 TVET scholars, reinforcing its role in building a skilled and competitive workforce.
As Kenya strives toward Vision 2030 and aligns with the global Sustainable Development Goals, Equity Group Foundation continues to position education as a catalyst for lasting socio-economic transformation.
