ABOUT US

Our story

The Beginnings

Uniport was founded in 2018 as a sustainable and impact-driven social enterprise by Gerald Gonzenbach and Tobias Ursprung, two entrepreneurs with a long professional experience in the financial services industry. They identified an urgent financing need for the education of top qualified students on university level lacking the necessary financial means.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

  • There are about 1m pupils who sit for their final exam in grade 8 called Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) every year. The average number of students who sit for K.C.S.E(Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education)every year is about 500,000. Approximately 70% of students who qualify for a university degree actually enroll to universities. Sadly, less than 70% of those that gain entry to university do actually graduate. The main factor for these high drop-out rates is the inability of the students to fully finance their education.
  •  There are NGOs that give scholarships to bright high school students who do not have the financial means to attend high school otherwise, e.g. Aiducation International, Palmhouse foundation, Kesho Organization, some banks etc. But there are currently no institutions (e.g. local banks, NGOs, lending groups) that provide university student loans.
  • The government provides subsidized loans (HELB) of max USD 600 p.a. to some selected top scholars. The number of students who receive HELB is very small; and that which Although important as a programme, it leaves many other students stranded, unable to finance their education. Furthermore, the HELB loan in most cases cannot cater for the full educational needs of fees, upkeep, accommodation and other school materials needed.
  •  This situation drove us to find a way to help these bright, but financially restricted students to start and complete their university education, live their dreams and be a part of building the development that Kenya needs and deserves.

Our Mission

Our Mission Enable bright Kenyan Students to pursue their preferred studies at a Kenyan University of their choice, irrespective of gender, ethnical and financial background.

Our Vision

Strengthen the economic social and ultimately peaceful development of the Kenyan Society thanks to the contributions of well-educated generations.

Loan Information

Annual amount of up to KES120,000 (depending on university fee, costs of living, other means available) We currently charge a 13% interest rate per annum.

Uniport’s Approach
& Added Value

  •  The effects are measured by the «Sustainable Development Goals» of the UN:
    Quality education, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, reduced
    inequalities, and partnerships for the goals.
  •  Loans of US$ 900 to 1 ́500 p.a. for university fees and cost of living to carefully evaluated and strictly selected students in Kenya.
  •  Accompanied by a mentoring programme throughout the period of study.
  •  Headquartered in Nairobi with Kenyan Management, international Board supported by the Swiss Association.
  •  Non-governmental, operated by private initiative, linked with partners and universities.

 

 

 

Financing

  • Financial and organisational sustainability with initial funding by the Swiss Association.
  • Strict corporate governance principles for budgeting, reporting, and controlling.
  •  12%-15% annual interest rate1, payable from the beginning of the loan period.
  •  Disbursement over 1 to 5 years, same timeframe for the repayment