NAIROBI, KENYA – Kenya and Malaysia formally agreed to deepen cooperation in higher education and vocational training on Monday, November 24, 2025, a move designed to address key challenges within the Kenyan education system. The landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was announced by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba during the inaugural Malaysia-Africa Higher Education Forum 2025 held in Nairobi.

The agreement focuses on enhancing joint scientific research, student and faculty mobility, scholarships, capacity building, and innovation. This partnership is part of a broader series of trade and diplomatic agreements signed during a visit by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, which also marked 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

A Strategic Alliance for STEM and Innovation

The collaboration places a strong emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). CS Ogamba highlighted that Kenya stands to benefit significantly from Malaysia's advancements in emerging technologies, digital learning infrastructure, and applied research. "Our engagement with Malaysia will continue to support Kenya's vision of building a globally competitive and sustainable higher education ecosystem," Ogamba stated on Monday.

This focus aligns with Kenya's national strategic goals, which prioritize human capital development to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global marketplace and support the nation's industrialization agenda. The partnership aims to address documented weaknesses in Kenya's education sector, including a shortage of STEM-trained teachers, inadequate laboratory facilities, and a persistent digital divide. A 2025 report by the Zizi Afrique Foundation and Usawa Agenda revealed that only 21% of public junior school teachers have been trained in STEM areas, and 35% of these schools have no STEM teachers at all.

Addressing Kenya's Educational Challenges

The Kenyan education system faces several pressing issues that this partnership could help mitigate. Chronic underfunding, infrastructural gaps, and teacher shortages have hampered the quality of education, particularly in rural and marginalized communities. Reports from 2025 indicate a nationwide deficit of approximately 100,000 teachers across all levels. Furthermore, the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) has faced hurdles, including the need for extensive teacher retraining and sufficient learning materials.

The collaboration with Malaysia, a nation that has successfully positioned itself as a global education hub hosting over 150,000 international students, offers a potential pathway to address these challenges. The agreement facilitates knowledge transfer in curriculum development, quality assurance, and the integration of technology in education. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also proposed the prospective creation of an Institute of African Studies in Malaysia in partnership with Kenya, though details remain under discussion.

Broader Implications for South-South Cooperation

The forum, themed “Intensifying Internationalization in the Context of the Global South Agenda,” underscores a growing trend of collaboration among developing nations. This partnership is a significant step in South-South cooperation, allowing both countries to leverage shared experiences and resources for mutual development. For Kenya, this aligns with its foreign policy, which seeks to diversify partnerships beyond traditional Western allies and strengthen ties with emerging economies in regions like Southeast Asia.

The agreement is one of several signed during the Malaysian delegation's visit, which also included a new Bilateral Air Services Agreement and a tourism cooperation MoU. These accords are expected to bolster economic and cultural ties, with the education pact serving as a cornerstone for developing a skilled workforce capable of driving future growth.

The Malaysia-Africa Higher Education Forum, organized by Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), also featured a study fair with 12 Malaysian universities, providing direct engagement opportunities for Kenyan students and parents. This initiative is part of Malaysia's broader strategy to attract 250,000 international students by 2025, as outlined in its national education blueprint. As the partnership unfolds, its success will be measured by the tangible improvements in Kenya's educational outcomes, the growth of a skilled local workforce, and the strengthening of academic and research institutions across the country.