Kenya's young population and strong economy make it a place of high potential for growth, both in general and specifically as an education market. The Kenyan government has committed to several initiatives with a focus on improving provision, increasing the number of qualified teaching staff, expanding online learning and boosting research capabilities. However, a growing school-age population is creating challenges for the tertiary sector as universities struggle with poor infrastructure, insufficient funding, and an overall lack of capacity to meet demand. Fewer than half of qualifying students can access tuition-free tertiary education, which may drive more students to study elsewhere in the world. As families’ aspirations continue to rise and a university education becomes the norm for a widening share of the population, overseas enrolment has considerable potential.
The US, the UK, and Australia are popular destinations for Kenyans, but other destinations on the African continent such as Ghana, Uganda, and South Africa, are gaining popularity. The number of Kenyan students studying in the UK reached a peak of 2,360 enrolments in 2009/10 and has remained stable above 2,000 over the last decade. The 2018/19 academic year saw 2,325 enrolments, a 1 per cent increase from the previous year. The majority of Kenyan students in the UK are undergraduates, and the reinstatement of the two-year post-study working visa could boost interest in the UK as a study destination.
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| MIB-Kenya_2019-20.pdf |