A shared vision for academic excellence and continental collaboration brought together KCA University and St. Mary’s University–Ethiopia on 2 February 2026, when the two institutions formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at KCA University’s Main Campus in Ruaraka, Nairobi.
The agreement establishes a structured framework for collaboration aimed at expanding academic opportunity, strengthening research capacity and advancing quality higher education across Africa. Chartered in 2013, both universities have grown as innovation-driven private institutions with strong foundations in business, technology, and professional education.
Serving approximately 33,000 students from over 20 nationalities, KCA University continues to expand its continental and global footprint. The new agreement aligns with its strategic focus on building globally competitive institutions rooted in Africa.
A central pillar of the MoU is faculty capacity development. Under the partnership, KCA University will support PhD training for St. Mary’s University academic staff, an initiative designed to strengthen research leadership and institutional sustainability within the region.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Prof. Joshua Bagakas, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at KCA University, described the institutions as “like-minded and committed to quality.” Dr. Wondwosen Tamrat, President of St. Mary’s University, characterized the collaboration as an “exemplary initiative for Africa.”
In addition the Vice Chancellor & CEO of KCA University, Prof. Isaiah I. C. Wakindiki, emphasized the long-term significance of the collaboration:
“As we sign this MoU today, we are not simply formalizing an agreement. We are laying the foundation for a partnership that will grow, evolve, and deliver meaningful outcomes for generations of students and academics across both Kenya and Ethiopia. This is what it means to build Africa from within.”
The MoU outlines structured cooperation in priority areas including:
This collaboration reflects a deliberate commitment to intra-African institutional partnerships that strengthen academic ecosystems, enhance knowledge exchange, and advance sustainable development across the continent.
