Two promising Kenyan students, Dennis Muchemi Mabishi and Ndegwa Paul Victor, have been awarded full postgraduate scholarships under the Africa Scholarship Programme, a joint initiative by the African Risk Capacity Limited (ARC Ltd.) and Milliman Inc.
The students will pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in South Africa in fields related to actuarial science and risk management — disciplines central to developing home-grown solutions for climate resilience and sustainable growth across the continent.
Building Capacity for Africa’s Climate Future
Now in its second year, the Africa Scholarship Programme aims to cultivate a pipeline of young African professionals equipped to address the continent’s growing exposure to climate risks.
The 2025 cohort was selected through a highly competitive process that attracted 78 applicants from across Africa. The scholarships cover tuition, housing, living stipends, and related costs for up to three years, allowing recipients to focus fully on their academic and professional development.
“This scholarship embodies our belief that lasting resilience begins with human capacity,” said Anaïs Symenouh, Head of Legal at ARC Ltd.
“By investing in these young talents, we are equipping Africa with the expertise needed to design and lead its own solutions to the growing threats of climate change.”
Programme Structure and Impact
Launched in 2023, the Africa Scholarship Programme supports postgraduate students in actuarial science, insurance, and risk management at leading universities including:
- Institut de Formation en Alternance pour les Générations Engagées (IFAGE) in Senegal
- École Nationale Supérieure de Statistique et d’Économie Appliquée (ENSEA) in Côte d’Ivoire
- National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Zimbabwe
- University of Cape Town (UCT) in South Africa
In addition to full financial support, the programme offers mentorship and guaranteed internships at ARC Ltd., Milliman, or partner institutions across Africa. These placements provide students with first-hand exposure to the insurance and risk management industries, helping them translate classroom learning into practical solutions.
“Advanced education is a powerful way to support these scholars to address the continent’s challenges,” said Joy Schwartzman, Principal at Milliman Inc.
“The guaranteed internship provides a practical business education to complement their studies. Their gratitude and determination inspire us to expand the programme to support even more young adults.”
Expanding Reach Across Africa
The inaugural 2024 cohort began their studies at UCT and IFAGE and will transition to internships in early 2026. With each new intake, the initiative continues to strengthen Africa’s technical and professional capacity in climate and disaster risk management.
As climate change intensifies droughts, floods, and other extremes across the continent, ARC Ltd. and Milliman plan to expand the programme’s reach in the coming years — helping build a network of skilled African experts driving resilience from within.
Applications for the next intake open later this year at africanscholarship.org
