Twenty-nine Rwandan students are among 121 scholars in the 2026 cohort of the Equity Leaders Program (ELP) who have secured scholarships to 63 universities across North America, Europe, Asia and Africa.
The students, drawn from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), are beneficiaries of the Equity Group Foundation initiative.
The latest cohort comprises 86 students from Kenya, 29 from Rwanda, four from Uganda and two from the DRC. Their scholarships are collectively valued at $23.42 million for the duration of their undergraduate studies.
Beyond tuition, the beneficiaries have received financial aid packages from their host institutions, alongside transition support from Equity Group as they prepare to begin their studies abroad.
The 2026 intake brings to 1,236 the number of scholars who have secured scholarships through the Equity Leaders Program, with beneficiaries admitted to 247 universities in 40 countries across six continents.
The latest cohort has also strengthened the programme’s record of admissions to Ivy League universities. Twenty scholars secured places at elite US universities, bringing the cumulative number of ELP students admitted to Ivy League institutions to 240.
This year’s destinations include Harvard University, Princeton University, Columbia University, Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania.
The United States remains the leading destination, with nearly 50 students joining institutions including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, Duke University, Johns Hopkins University and Princeton University. Others will study in Canada, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, India, Germany, Hungary, South Africa and Rwanda.
The number of Rwandan beneficiaries is slightly lower than last year. In 2025, 33 Rwandan students were among 128 scholars who secured admission and scholarships through the programme, compared with 29 in the 2026 cohort.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony in Nairobi, Equity Group Managing Director James Mwangi urged the scholars to use their global education to help address Africa’s development challenges.
“The programme extends beyond scholarships. Through paid internships, mentorship, leadership coaching and college counselling, students are prepared to compete for places at leading universities while remaining connected to community service and leadership development,” Mwangi said.
The Equity Leaders Program has grown steadily over the past five years, with annual global admissions rising from fewer than 100 scholars to more than 120.
