Nairobi, 8th January 2024: 1,000 top performers in the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary
Education (KCPE) who are academically gifted but financially challenged and who are drawn from
every part of Kenya, have been awarded comprehensive four-year secondary school scholarships
under Equity Group Foundation’s (EGF) Wings to Fly program.
These high-achieving scholars have been commissioned following an intensive 2-day induction and
training program held at Pangani Girls’ High School in Nairobi, during which they learn what to expect
in high school, reading and studying methods and expectations including their school performance as
well as an in-depth orientation of Equity Group’s Academic Policy and Code of Conduct. This latest
cohort brings the total number of beneficiaries from EGF and its partners to 60,009 secondary
scholarships to date. The Wings to Fly program boasts a remarkable track record, with an average
secondary school completion rate of 97% since inception with 82% of graduating students achieving
university entry grades, demonstrating the program’s commitment to academic excellence.
The Wings to Fly program was established by Equity Group Foundation in partnership with Mastercard
Foundation and with support from the German Government through KfW, USAID, UKAID, alongside
other partners including individual benefactors. The program provides comprehensive secondary
school scholarships to academically gifted yet economically disadvantaged and vulnerable students
from all over Kenya.
In addition to the scholarships, the beneficiaries also receive revision books, school uniforms,
transportation to their respective schools, pocket money, and scheduled mentorship and leadership
training sessions. This holistic approach ensures that the scholars are well-equipped for academic
success and develop into well-rounded individuals.
Speaking at the commissioning event, Education Cabinet Secretary Hon. Ezekiel Machogu
represented by Elijah Mungai, Director of Projects Coordination, State Department of Basic Education
said, “This initiative is proof that well-structured public – private partnerships can make significant
contribution to Kenya’s social and economic agenda. I call upon other corporates of goodwill to step
up to the challenge of helping the country address its socio-economic limitations and bring us closer
to achieving the ideals crafted under vision 2030”.
Addressing the new cohort of scholars, Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman Dr. James
Mwangi said, “This scholarship is not just a ticket to academic excellence but a gateway to your
dreams. This program is about giving you an opportunity to change your circumstances. The
comprehensive scholarship will take care of all that you will need to succeed in the next four years of
your secondary school education.”
H.E. Hon. Johnson Sakaja, Governor of Nairobi County further added “This program has transformed
the lives and prospects of thousands of young Kenyans from across the country. The scholars being
commissioned today have shown that they can make use of the talents they received. They have seen
wonderful examples from scholars who went before them, and it is now up to them to ensure that their
future is not determined by their backgrounds” he further added “I would like to appreciate the vision
and diligence of Equity Bank in creating a scholarship program that targets bright children from financially challenging backgrounds. This vision to take scholars from across the country and support
them through education is transformative.”
Mr. Oskar von Maltzan the KfW Development Bank Country Director, also acknowledged the impact
of Wings to Fly program, stating,” We are proud to be associated with this program, and it is great to
see the successes that have come over the years. KfW has financed about 5,000 Wings to Fly
scholarships for secondary schools and vocational training, to a tune of KES. 4 billion of grant funds
from Germany Government. We are not doing this alone; we are working with the Ministry of Education
and Government of Kenya and happy that in Equity Group Foundation we have found a partner who
puts to use well these funds in promoting young people who are academically gifted but from financially
challenged background to move ahead and have a future.”
The selection process for the Wings to Fly scholarships is both rigorous and transparent, involving
community-based verification and monitoring. Members of the Community Scholarship Selection
Boards (CSSBs) across the country diligently review applications, conduct face-to-face interviews, and
make home visits. This thorough process ensures that scholarships are awarded to the most deserving
scholars, thereby maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the program.
The Wings to Fly scholarship program offers top performers a pathway into the prestigious Equity
Leaders Program (ELP). Upon completing high school, these scholars transition into the ELP. Since
its inception, the program has facilitated 18,735 scholars’ entry into university, with 8,337 benefiting
from paid internships at Equity Bank. Additionally, 3,454 have enrolled in Technical and Vocational
Education and Training (TVET) colleges. A notable 890 ELP scholars have secured fully funded
scholarships at 201 leading global universities across 36 countries, including Ivy League institutions
such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, and Cornell Universities in the USA.
The Equity Leaders Program is designed to empower academically gifted scholars by facilitating their
access to education in public universities both locally and globally, while also nurturing their leadership
skills. ELP Scholars who pursued medicine and gained the necessary experience have been
supported by EGF to establish Equity Afia Medical centers, expanding access to affordable, quality
healthcare. To date, Equity Afia has successfully launched 102 facilities nationwide and is rolling the
franchise in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
To further promote enterprise and provide solutions to various socio-economic challenges facing the
continent, EGF has also created a network for ELP alumni in the enterprise and innovations space
and has been supporting them to set-up and grow their businesses. For instance, Eliud Njogu, who
founded E&M Technology an ELP alumni from the class of 2001. E&M Technology is a software
development company that innovates for the financial industry. Eliud’s drive to innovate, start a
business and provide employment opportunities is evidence of how an opportunity in education is a
chance to transform the country, the continent & the world for the better. Paul Kimani, who’s also an
ELP alumni class of 2007, leads Workpay a pan African technology company that builds payroll
management software for companies across the continent. These success stories reflect EGF’s
commitment to fostering a new generation of African entrepreneurs and innovators, proving that
investment in education is a powerful tool for continental and global betterment.
About Equity Group Foundation
Equity Group Foundation (EGF), the corporate implementing foundation of Equity Group Holdings Plc,
has as its mission to champion the transformation of lives and livelihoods for 100 million people in
Africa by 2024 through the design and implementation of innovative programs that leverage Equity
Group’s infrastructure and partnerships to create shared value. Established in 2008 as the Group’s
social engine, the Foundation delivers economic opportunities, capacity, tools, and technologies that
enable individuals and businesses to increase productivity, resilience and share in socio-economic
growth. EGF responds to the continuum of issues that challenge the socio-economic advancement of
the people of Africa, especially low-income individuals, and families. EGF’s Creating Shared Value
(CSV) strategy provides social development initiatives in Education and Leadership Development,
Food and Agriculture, Health, Financial Inclusion and Entrepreneurship Development, Energy and
Environment and Social Protections for the most vulnerable citizens. EGF’s programs are underpinned
by technology, innovation, and synergy as a central means to launch, nurture, and scale up Africa’s
next generation of successful leaders and entrepreneurs delivered to all communities in which Equity
has operations.
Additional information, visit https://equitygroupfoundation.com/
