Unemployed Kenyan youth to benefit with US-based AI fellowships

The NextGen Africa Workforce Fellowship, launched by Nexford University, is designed to equip young Kenyans with globally relevant skills, leadership exposure, and access to career opportunities in an increasingly AI driven global economy.

The urgency is clear, millions of young people enter Kenya’s workforce each year, yet more than 80% of employed youth remain in the informal sector.

At the same time, employer expectations are rising. A recent Nexford and BrighterMonday report reveals that 80% of entry level roles and 60% of mid level roles now require a Bachelor’s degree making higher education a baseline rather than a competitive advantage.

The economic divide is stark: degree holders are over four times more likely to earn above Ksh 75,000 per month compared to those with only a high school certificate.

Against this backdrop, the Fellowship offers a practical solution. It combines a 100% online, U.S.-accredited Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with structured mentorship from prominent African leaders and global executives.

The program is designed to help participants gain both academic knowledge and real world exposure while continuing to work.

Confirmed mentors include Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of Mauritius; Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, former Vice President of the World Bank and Nigeria’s former Minister of Education; Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Deputy President of South Africa and former Executive Director of UN Women; media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo; youth civic leader Rinu Oduala; and public finance advocate Oluseun Onigbinde.

“This is not just about access to education,” said Fadl Al Tarzi, CEO of Nexford University. “Africa is entering a defining decade. Talent is not the constraint—preparation is. As AI reshapes industries globally, young Africans need both the skills and the exposure to compete and lead from the start of their careers.”

The Fellowship integrates AI-relevant skills and digital capabilities into its curriculum, ensuring learners are prepared for evolving workforce demands.

Participants also gain access to leadership conversations and executive insights, blending theory with practical, workforce aligned outcomes.

To make the program accessible, Nexford has committed $5 million in scholarships, reducing the cost of participation to as low as approximately $60 per month.

This investment aims to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent high-potential young Africans from accessing quality education.

Nexford has already established a growing presence in Kenya, with increasing enrollment nationwide.

The university has also built partnerships focused on real-world outcomes, including sponsoring Nairobi City Thunder, Kenya’s national basketball champions, to support athlete development beyond sport, and collaborating with Kenya Airways to help employees build future ready skills through flexible, online education.

The university plans to host a graduation event in Kenya in July 2027, providing local recognition for graduates who may not be able to travel to its Washington, DC headquarters.

With a reported 97% of graduates employed or advancing in their careers, Nexford’s model demonstrates the potential impact of aligning education with market needs.

According to Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, the Fellowship reflects what is required for Africa to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving world: “The future of Africa will be shaped by how well we prepare our young people to engage with a rapidly changing, knowledge driven world. This Fellowship combines education, innovation, and leadership development to ensure African talent is equipped to compete and lead globally.”

Nexford University’s degrees are recognized by Kenya’s Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring that learners benefit from globally relevant qualifications that are also locally recognized.

The NextGen Africa Workforce Fellowship is highly selective, with limited spaces available in each cohort, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.