Equity Bank Rwanda has welcomed 36 new scholars into its Equity Leaders Program (ELP), a mentorship and leadership development initiative for top-performing students in the country. The ELP aims to nurture and empower young academically gifted scholars through intensive mentorship, leadership development, and community engagement.
The 36 scholars were selected from among the best-performing students in the 2023 Rwanda National Secondary Leaving Exams, representing the top-performing boy and girl from each district where Equity Bank operates a branch.
They underwent a comprehensive one-week induction and training program, where they had the opportunity to interact with leaders from different industries, including the Equity Group leadership team.
“Today marks a significant milestone as we gather to celebrate the commissioning of 36 exceptional scholars into the Equity Leaders Program (ELP). These scholars represent the future of our continent, and we are honored to be part of their journey of transformation.
Through the ELP, we seek to provide them with the necessary skills, exposure, and opportunities to enable them to achieve their full potential and make a positive impact in their communities and beyond,” said Equity Group Holdings Managing Director and CEO Dr. James Mwangi.
The topics covered during the induction program included leadership, personal advancement, and community development, fostering a holistic learning experience for the students.
The newly commissioned scholars will embark on a three-month paid internship at Equity Bank Rwanda, where they will receive a monthly stipend and gain hands-on experience and mentorship across various departments.
Beyond the internship, they will also receive ongoing mentorship and coaching throughout their university tenure.The ELP also provides the scholars with access to highly regarded local and international scholarships, including the prestigious Mastercard Foundation university scholarships.
Some of the previous scholars have successfully transitioned to esteemed local and international universities, including prestigious Ivy League institutions such as Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Columbia, and Princeton University.
The ELP was founded in 1998 and has scaled up over time to benefit 18,735 scholars across Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, and DRC. Its core objective is to cultivate a community of transformative servant leaders who collaborate across borders and sectors, contributing to sustainable economic growth and social progress in Africa.
The ELP is one of the initiatives under Equity Group Foundation’s (EGF) Education and Leadership Development pillar, which is dedicated to improving access to quality education and enhancing the leadership capacity of young people in Africa.
EGF is the social arm of Equity Group Holdings, which operates Equity Bank, one of the largest commercial banks in Africa.
EGF works in partnership with various stakeholders, including the Mastercard Foundation, to implement its programs and initiatives.
