US-Kenya tech exchange aims to bridge digital gap, boost STEM education

A Kenyan student at the African Leadership University (ALU) in Rwanda hopes to return home to a more technologically advanced system in his country someday. For a long time, some African students have had to travel to neighboring countries for the basics like electricity and technological opportunities.

Maurice Onyonyi, 29, hopes opportunities from the new Edtech Africa initiative – an exchange program that would bring Kenya's science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the US and HBCU students to Kenya – will bolster a country that is already considered as a leader in digital transformation.

USAID will run the program and plans to use an investment of $850,000 to aid the Edtech Africa program, also in partnership with private sector companies Mastercard and Microsoft.

Although Kenya is dubbed a leader in digital transformation, there is room for improvement, according to Onyonyi, a fourth-year student studying software engineering focusing on machine learning and data science.

He said that he is "better-equipped tech-wise" at ALU, adding that there is "reliable electricity and cheaper Internet". However, he said laptops are more available and less costly in Kenya.

Doubts concerning President Ruto persist

During Kenyan President William Ruto's historic US visit in May 2024, he and the country's representatives met with the US government to discuss the country's economic proliferation, including technological advancements.

Kenyan student, Maurice Onyonyi. (Source: Rafiki Photography)

However, Onyonyi says that after speaking with Kenyan students in the country and at his university, they still have some doubts about Ruto's ability to work with the US government on this initiative successfully.

"One thing that I'm consistently picking up from among the people that I'm reaching out to is the skepticism. Right now, the government doesn't have a vote of confidence from the people, with so much funds allocated to really good initiatives, [we aren’t sure because] in the past they have not delivered even when they were well funded," Onyonyi told Connecting Africa.

Benefits from both sides

Onyonyi said that before transferring to ALU, he studied in Kenya during his first year of university but had to drop out because of family and financial issues.

With such a program in place, this could benefit some of Kenya's economic insecurities, according to Kevin Fomengia, the director of innovation and co-founder of Pathway Oz, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering students in HBCUs to solve technological problems in their communities.

"With [Kenya] partnering with Mastercard and Microsoft to see the development in technology, this is actually going to help solve some of Kenya's job insecurity issues," Fomengia said.

"We know tech jobs have a long-term impact that can not only help individuals but also help the community as well," he added. "This is going to help solve a lot of some of these skills gaps that many African countries are experiencing and can produce long-term growth."

Kevin Fomengia, co-founder and director of innovation at Pathway OZ. (Source: Eden Harris)

Not only will Kenya be getting assistance from the US, but HBCUs also need Kenya's STEM students.

"HBCUs need more graduate students majoring in STEM as they are building their research capabilities, which will help them in the long run for federal funding opportunities such as grants and contracts," Fomengia said.

He added that Kenya could be a "great feeder since Kenyans are looking to advance in their studies but are limited with opportunities."

Empowering Kenya's workforce despite power challenges

One federal agency said it is up for the task of working with the Kenyan government to maximize opportunities that translate to the country's growth.

"Edtech Africa aims to equip Kenya's workforce with the skills needed to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the digital age and contribute to the country's economic development," a USAID spokesperson said.

A report from the United Nations found that education has a transformative effect on marginalized communities and can economically empower people from those communities.

The USAID-led program would help remove barriers that stymie growth in Kenya and at HBCUs by broadening who they serve.

"This program plans to expand education opportunities by serving nontraditional students as well, including those without formal secondary school credentials and marginalized and vulnerable learners," a USAID spokesperson told Connecting Africa.

Onyonyi said the students are excited about the opportunity but cautioned against power disruptions.

"There are positive feelings for the intention of this [partnership] and the benefits it can actually give to real Kenyans," said Onyonyi.

"Right now, there has been a serious power issue in most places outside of the cities, even in the cities though," he however cautioned.

He said he wants students to be able to use their computers, "but with all the power issues, it affects success a lot."

When the US-Africa technology exchange program begins in the third quarter of 2025, the US will need to work with the Kenyan government to ensure power supply within Nairobi and the outskirts, if students wish to explore the towns.

US President Joe Biden's advisory African diaspora council recommended this program. Connecting Africa reached out to Deniece Laurent-Mantey, the executive director of the council, for comments on the program but had not received a response by the time of publication.

Connecting Africa spoke with group director Richard Kiplagat from Africa Practice, during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). He oversees East Africa, advises government leaders, and has worked at Microsoft Africa.

Kiplagat said power shortages are "merely inconveniences, and they are gradually being addressed."

"The future, the education, the access to information and the ability to create and solve problems, not only for Kenya, but for the global market, is where the focus ought to be, and that is what this story is really about and this program of exchange is leveling the playing field," Kiplagat added.

The details of the program

According to a USAID spokesperson, the program will consist of 12 participants, with an equal number of six Kenyan students and six HBCU students. It will not rely on a conventional standardized curriculum.

The spokesperson said the cohort will also include a select group of students from two to three HBCUs in the US, such as Howard University, the Atlanta University Consortium and three Kenyan Universities, such as the University of Nairobi, the University of Embu and the Open University of Kenya.

Onyonyi said more excitement from Kenyan students is pouring in because their education is getting more costly, "but it's not competing really well globally, and so with the alternatives through [such a program], Kenyans are seeing an avenue to not just get a college education but options that are competitive globally."

— Eden Harris, Correspondent, special to Connecting Africa