By CTW Team

On October 22, the university announced receipt of USD 50,000 from Interledger Foundation to support the FinTech Innovators Program, a hands-on, one-year-long project designed to equip 40 USIU-Africa students with the skills to navigate and innovate within the new financial landscape. The program aims to equip students and educators with expertise in open-payment technologies and inclusive digital finance, while opening pathways into emerging fintech careers.

USIU-Africa now joins two other universities, Alabama A&M University in the United States and The Hague University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, to the Foundation’s NextGen Higher Education Grant Program, which supports innovative financial technology programs at universities, helping them advance research, curriculum development, and hands-on training with Open Payments and the Foundation’s Interledger Protocol (ILP).

While commenting on the project, Prof. Mwenda Ntarangwi, Vice Chancellor of USIU-Africa, emphasized that it will serve as a dynamic launchpad for aspiring fintech leaders. “USIU-Africa is delighted to join the growing list of tech innovators in the world in line with our strategic goal of supporting innovation and entrepreneurship that addresses global challenges. This partnership with the Interledger Foundation represents more than an academic milestone; it is a bold step toward positioning USIU-Africa at the forefront of Africa’s digital and financial transformation. Through this collaboration, we are empowering our students and entrepreneurs to design technologies that bridge gaps, foster inclusion, and contribute meaningfully to Kenya’s digital economy,” he said.

Interledger Foundation expressed its enthusiasm in welcoming USIU-Africa, describing the partnership as a step to foster open and interoperable digital financial systems.

“We aim to nurture the next generation of fintech entrepreneurs, developers, and policymakers. These collaborative efforts have demonstrated that universities are critical engines in shaping inclusive financial systems that unlock economic opportunity," said Chris Lawrence, Chief Programs Officer at the Interledger Foundation. “By investing in Kenyan talent, we are helping to further the advancement of open, interoperable financial systems that can transform local lives while also contributing to the global conversation on financial inclusion,” he added.

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) contribute over 33% of Kenya’s GDP and employ more than 90% of its workforce. By engaging MSMEs, the program addresses a vital sector where affordable, interoperable financial tools can unlock growth, resilience, and inclusion for underserved communities. The program also engages a broader stakeholder network, including students, entrepreneurs, and policy influencers, to co-create impactful financial products.

Speaking during the event, Dr. Billy Wadongo, Director, Innovation and Incubation Center (i2C) at USIU-Africa, assured the university’s commitment to leading collaborative efforts that foster real-world solutions for financial inclusion. “By integrating Innovation and Incubation Center programs, USIU-Africa is committed to leading collaborative efforts that foster real-world solutions for financial inclusion. This initiative leverages open-source payment systems, Interledger technology, and hands-on training to prepare beneficiaries for entrepreneurial success, connect communities, and transform Kenya’s digital financial landscape into one that is more inclusive and accessible for all,” he stated.

This partnership underscores the institution’s commitment to empowering its students to lead Africa’s technological transformation and shape a more inclusive, interconnected financial landscape. At the end of the program, students will become certified Interledger protocol experts.