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Equity Leaders Program - The Insider Guide

Equity Group Foundation (Foundation)  ·  Updated June 13, 2026

Run by the massive Equity Bank through its foundation, the Equity Leaders Program (ELP) is arguably the most aggressive and successful corporate talent incubator in East Africa. It targets the absolute top-performing high school graduates (specifically the top boy and girl from each district in the KCSE exams) and essentially drafts them into a lifelong elite corporate network.

Quick Overview

Scholarship Name
Equity Leaders Program Scholarship
Host Country
Kenya
Eligible Countries
Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda
Degree Level
Bachelors
Financial Coverage
Full
Application Window
December - January (Varies)

Full Requirements & Details

Academic Requirements

Min. CGPA
3.8
Offer Degrees
Bachelors
Subjects
Agriculture, Arts, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, History, Law, Mathematics, Medicine, Physics, Psychology
Seats Available
Hundreds annually
Study Gap Allowed
No Restrictions (Gap Allowed)
Research Publication
No
Work Experience
No
Age Range
No Age Limit

Language Requirements

IELTS
Optional
TOEFL
Optional
GRE
Not Required
Local Language
English
Local Lang Test
No
Study Languages
English

Financial Details

Type
Full
Fund Details
See Description
Monthly Stipend
KES 0/mo
Tuition
Full
Living Costs
Full
Travel & Health
Yes / Yes
Application Fee
Free (No Application Fee)
Spouse Allowed
No

What Matters Most

Statement of Purpose 9/10

Motivation Letter 9/10

Recommendation Letter 8/10

Interview 10/10

Required Documents

CV Passport Transcript Certificate

Why You Should Apply

Initially, ELP offers a paid internship at Equity Bank branches during your gap year. However, the real prize is their 'Global Scholars' track. If selected, the Foundation aggressively coaches you and pays all your application fees, SAT/ACT costs, and flight costs to secure full-ride scholarships at Ivy League universities (Harvard, MIT, Stanford) or top global institutions.

Application Process

You do not apply in the traditional sense; you are selected. You must score an 'A' plain in your KCSE exams or be an alumnus of the Wings to Fly high school scholarship program. The Foundation contacts the top performers directly.

How to Win This Scholarship

The only way in is sheer academic dominance in national exams. Once in the program, however, your success in the 'Global Scholars' track depends on your hustle during the bank internship. You must prove you are a hyper-competent leader, capable of surviving intense corporate pressure, while simultaneously studying for the SATs at night.

Benefits After Completing Study

ELP scholars who go to Ivy League schools are essentially fast-tracked into global consulting firms (McKinsey, BCG) or high-level banking roles upon graduation.

The program is fiercely competitive internally. Being an ELP scholar guarantees the internship, but you must fight tooth and nail against your brilliant peers during the college prep phase to actually secure the Ivy League funding.

Official Source

For complete details and to verify all requirements, please refer to the scholarship provider's official website.

Visit Official Source