Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi has commented on the recent move by the US government to freeze student visa applications across all US embassies and consulates. The decision, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has stirred global concern, particularly in Africa, where many top-performing students dream of studying in American institutions.
The directive halts visa interviews for international students while the U.S. implements stricter social media vetting protocols.
According to US immigration lawyer Brad Bernstein, applicants’ posts, likes, shares, and even private messages may now influence visa approvals, especially if they express certain political views.
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For Mwangi, the freeze is a setback, but not a dead end. His solution? Spread the wings further.
“It is true, as we saw, we have Wings to Fly. Among 60,000 scholars, 27,000 have transitioned to universities. Out of these, 908 have received scholarships abroad. Forty-five (45) went to Harvard, 218 to Ivy League schools. Last year, we sent 123. This year, we hope to send 150,” he said during the bank’s investor briefing on Thursday, May 29.
Strategic pivot to new global partners
The Wings to Fly initiative, which supports academically gifted students from underprivileged backgrounds, has long counted on the U.S. as a prime destination. But with the doors now temporarily shut, Mwangi is actively forging new pathways.
“This week I had dinner with the French and EU ambassadors. They told me, ‘James, you’ve sent so many students to the US. Can we help open up Europe for you?’ So yes, Europe is opening up. Japan has also asked us to help recruit African scholars for its largest scholarship program.”
Equity’s global scholarship strategy is expanding to include Europe, Southeast Asia, and Japan, ensuring scholars aren’t left stranded by the policy shifts in Washington.
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Broader vision for African leadership
Mwangi emphasized that this isn’t just about scholarships, it’s about building future leadership across Africa.
“This year, we identified the 750 best-performing students in Kenya, those who scored A grades and our Wings to Fly scholars with A and A- grades, and enrolled them in SAT and ACT training. The goal is to give them the best education and global exposure.”
“We believe that a country is only as strong as its leaders. That’s why we’re investing in the most gifted students across the countries where we operate, Kenya, DRC, Uganda, Rwanda. These are tomorrow’s leaders, and they need global networks to match their talent.”
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Tariff hikes, policy change by US
The visa freeze is one of several controversial policies rolled out by the Trump administration since taking over from Joe Biden earlier this year.
Trump’s return has been marked by sweeping cuts to USAID funding, leaving more than 40,000 Kenyans jobless, and introducing steep tariffs on foreign goods, 145% on Chinese imports, with China retaliating at 125%. The US has also proposed a 100% tariff on foreign-made films, claiming it will revive “dead” Hollywood.
But despite the uncertainty, Mwangi remains hopeful and proactive.
“We are concerned about the situation the U.S. has found itself in, but we have proactively expanded the net. I’m very grateful to the EU and French ambassadors for opening doors. The mission hasn’t changed, only the route,” Mwangi said.
