African universities target foreign students as West tightens access

Mount Kigali University Rwanda Founder Prof. Simon Gicharu (left) when he paid  a courtesy call to Rwanda’s Minister of State and Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Cooperation, Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe James. [File, Standard]

Universities in Africa are repositioning to attract foreign students as Western countries tighten access to higher education, creating new opportunities on the continent.

The move is seen as a chance for African institutions to fill the gap left by restrictive policies abroad.

Mount Kenya University offers a clear example. Founded in 2010, it began as a campus but has since expanded its influence across the region, playing a key role in widening access to higher education for many students who would otherwise travel abroad.

 It now offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes across various disciplines and hosts over 700 international students mainly from African countries.

Mount Kigali University in Rwanda followed a similar path. Initially a campus of Mount Kenya University, it grew into a fully autonomous university and is preparing to offer Doctor of Philosophy programmes, with applications submitted to Rwanda’s Higher Education Council.

The university has graduated over 10,000 alumni who now hold positions in public and private sectors across Rwanda and the region.

During a visit to Kigali this week, Mount Kenya University founder Simon Gicharu met Rwanda’s Minister of State for Regional Cooperation, Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe James, to discuss how African universities can retain talent and attract more regional students.

Kabarebe acknowledged the vital role universities play in educating youth who contribute to regional development.

Gicharu said, “This is an opportunity for African universities to enhance their role as reliable, affordable alternatives to study abroad.”

He explained, “With global shifts in education access caused by policies in countries like the United States, we see a growing demand for quality education closer to home.”

Tightening policies in the United States under President Donald Trump’s administration, including a freeze on foreign student enrolment at Harvard University, have created uncertainty for many international students.

“It is now an opportune time for African institutions to fill the gap created by such restrictions,” Gicharu added.

Before the rise of local institutions, many students from Rwanda and neighbouring countries pursued studies abroad in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania and India.

The expansion of local universities offering competitive programmes has helped reverse this trend by providing access to quality education within Africa.