(Ecofin Agency) - Enko Education, an African network of primary and secondary schools, has raised $24 million to boost its growth. The funds, announced on January 22, come from two key investors: Africa Capitalworks and Adiwale Partners. This marks Africa Capitalworks' first investment in Enko Education, while Adiwale Partners continues its support, having previously invested $5.8 million in 2022.

The funds will help Enko Education expand significantly, aiming to triple its current size and serve 20,000 students by 2029. Currently, Enko operates 16 schools in 10 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, including Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and South Africa. The company plans to grow further by acquiring larger schools and integrating them into its educational model.

The investment from Adiwale Partners is part of a broader strategy to support the growth of private education in Africa. “The continent is experiencing rapid population growth, with 750 million young Africans expected to be of school age by 2030,” explained the company co-founded by Togolese Togolais Jean-Marc Savi de Tové and Vissého Gnassounou. This demographic boom is creating a huge demand for more educational infrastructure, which public systems alone may not be able to meet. As a result, private education is seen as a vital solution to filling the gaps in Africa's education systems.

Challenges in African Education

Despite progress in many areas, sub-Saharan Africa remains one of the lowest spenders per capita on education, according to the World Bank’s Africa’s Pulse report from October 2024. Around 42 million children are still out of school, and the region faces significant challenges, such as a shortage of qualified teachers and inadequate infrastructure. Enko Education aims to address these issues by providing accessible education to more students while preparing them for the future's challenges.

With the backing of investors like Adiwale Partners and Africa Capitalworks, Enko Education is positioned to drive transformation in Africa’s education sector, setting a new standard for private education that combines academic excellence with a positive social impact.