A non-profit organisation in Kenya has disbursed more than Sh1 billion in interest-free loans to university students, offering a rare model of sustainable, community-based education financing at a time when many are struggling with the rising costs of higher learning.
The Africa Education and Development Trust (AEDT), which operates on a Shariah-compliant model, made the announcement at a gala event in Nairobi on Friday. The loans, which come without the burden of interest, have so far benefited 3,430 students—ranging from undergraduates to PhD candidates.
Among the recipients are 118 doctoral students, 683 master’s students, and 928 pursuing bachelor’s degrees. The initiative has also supported 188 diploma students, 1,460 under the University Sponsorship Support Programme (UU-SSP), and 53 members of university staff.
The trust’s model, which eschews traditional scholarships and commercial lending in favour of ethical, inclusive funding, is part of a broader effort to address inequities in access to education in Kenya.
Held under the theme “Empowering Generations, Transforming Communities,” the Nairobi event featured testimonials from beneficiaries who spoke of how access to education had transformed their lives and lifted their families out of poverty.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who attended as the guest of honour, praised the initiative and called on other institutions to adopt similar approaches.
“This model is bold, inclusive, and sustainable. It is helping to reshape how we think about education financing and equity,” said Duale.
He also used the occasion to advocate for broader reforms in the country’s social welfare system, including the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA), aimed at universal health coverage.
AEDT, founded on a mission to promote higher education through ethical means, has emerged as a key player in bridging the gap for underserved communities, many of whom fall through the cracks of public bursary schemes and commercial lending.
The event was attended by a wide range of dignitaries including the AEDT board leadership, Somali Minister of Education Dr. Farah Abdulkadir Mohamed, Direct Aid CEO Dr. Ismail Hassan, National Heroes Council CEO Charles Wambia, Deputy Chief Kadhi Sheikh Sukyan Omar, and several Members of Parliament.