In a visionary move to redefine education and empower the next generation, the M-PESA Foundation has launched Citizens of the Future, a transformative five-year education programme designed to revolutionize learning across Kenya. This ambitious initiative seeks to modernize schools, bridge the digital divide, and foster innovation among young learners and educators alike.
The programme, unveiled in Nairobi, represents one of the most significant investments in Kenya’s education sector by a private foundation. Through Citizens of the Future, the M-PESA Foundation aims to upgrade more than 600 schools and tertiary institutions, ensuring they are equipped with modern infrastructure, technology, and learning resources suitable for the demands of a fast-changing world. The initiative also promises to offer over 10,000 scholarships to students from underprivileged backgrounds, providing access to quality education and lifelong opportunities.
The Foundation, which has long been at the forefront of social impact initiatives in Kenya, is now focusing on an integrated approach to education reform. The Citizens of the Future programme aims to modernize the entire learning ecosystem — from classrooms to teacher training — emphasizing digital literacy, inclusivity, and innovation as key pillars.
With the global shift toward digital learning accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Kenya’s education system faces an urgent need to adapt. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, nearly 60% of rural schools lack access to modern ICT infrastructure, while only 35% of teachers report having received adequate digital training. The M-PESA Foundation’s new programme directly addresses these challenges by investing in digital tools, teacher upskilling, and community empowerment to create sustainable learning environments.
One of the most transformative components of the programme is its focus on teacher empowerment. Educators will receive comprehensive training in digital pedagogy, leadership, and innovation. By equipping teachers with 21st-century skills, the Foundation envisions classrooms that encourage creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking — preparing students for both local and global opportunities.
Moreover, the Foundation will collaborate with the Ministry of Education, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), and various education technology partners to ensure that the “Schools of the Future” are aligned with Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). The goal is to blend academic learning with real-world skills, ensuring that students are not only academically competent but also socially aware and technologically empowered.
The initiative’s long-term vision extends beyond infrastructure and training. It aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders who understand the value of innovation, sustainability, and civic responsibility. The M-PESA Foundation envisions these “Citizens of the Future” as catalysts for national transformation — individuals who will drive Kenya toward becoming a knowledge-based economy.
Data from UNESCO suggests that countries investing heavily in digital and inclusive education systems experience up to 30% higher employment rates among youth. With Kenya’s youth comprising 75% of the population, this initiative comes at a critical moment. By empowering students with access to modern tools and skills, the programme aims to address the country’s growing skills gap and youth unemployment challenges.
Parents, teachers, and communities have also welcomed the initiative with enthusiasm. Local education leaders have praised M-PESA Foundation’s continued commitment to improving access to education, following earlier successes in health, environment, and entrepreneurship programmes. Many have described Citizens of the Future as a “game-changer” that could serve as a model for other African nations seeking to modernize education through public-private collaboration.
The M-PESA Foundation has called on communities to participate actively in identifying and nominating deserving schools that could benefit from the programme. Schools can be nominated through the official website: www.citizenofthefuture.org.
As Kenya continues to embrace its digital transformation journey, the Citizens of the Future programme serves as a reminder that sustainable progress begins with education. By investing in young minds today, M-PESA Foundation is laying the groundwork for a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow — one where innovation, technology, and opportunity are accessible to every learner.
The initiative underscores a powerful truth: Kenya’s greatest resource is its people. Through Citizens of the Future, the M-PESA Foundation is not just building schools — it’s building the nation’s future.
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