The United States signed a historic Framework for Cooperation with the Government of Kenya to support new partnerships between universities and industry to drive innovation, research, and job growth in STEM-related fields in Kenya and globally.
USAID Counselor Clinton White and Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi signed the Enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Education for Economic Development Framework for Cooperation during Kenyan President William Ruto’s State Visit to the U.S. The signing, held at Spelman College, focused on fostering university-industry partnerships to drive innovation and job growth in STEM fields in Kenya and globally.
USAID announced a nearly $32 million investment in Kenya’s education system, which includes $850,000 for the Edtech Africa initiative to promote STEM partnerships, a $6.5 million project to connect STEM graduates with jobs, and a $24.5 million early grade literacy program. Additionally, the U.S. Department of State introduced the Kennedy-Mboya Partnerships, a $3.3 million STEM scholarship program for Kenyan students.
This Framework for Cooperation aims to establish linkages, partnerships, and exchange programs to enhance STEM, advanced manufacturing, and ICT capacities in Kenyan higher education. It includes commitments from Microsoft, the Mastercard Foundation, and U.S. universities to support STEM education in Kenya. This initiative builds on the long-standing U.S.-Kenya partnership and aims to prepare Kenyan leaders to advance the nation’s economic development.
The United States has a longstanding partnership with Kenya, actively supporting the country as a pioneering force and regional engine for innovation. This new partnership in the area of STEM education will prepare a generation of innovative Kenyan leaders to meet evolving market demands and advance the nation’s economic development.