AltSchool Africa has managed to successfully launch its virtual academy in Kenya after nearly a year of planning and organization.
With over 60,000 learners across 105 countries, the school, which has primarily operated in Nigeria and Uganda, decided to expand its presence further across the continent. Kenya, being AltSchool’s second-largest market in terms of enrollments, was deemed a strategic move to deepen enrollment and operations.
Oluwanifemi Akinwamide, Head of Growth and Partnerships at AltSchool, explained that the decision to launch in Kenya was driven by the country’s status as the second-largest market for AltSchool, showcasing high receptiveness to online learning. According to Technext, AltSchool’s overarching goal is to train Africans in in-demand skills, making it essential to have a significant presence in Kenya given its large market and enthusiastic learners in technical and non-technical fields.
While AltSchool already operates in Rwanda in East Africa, launching in Kenya is expected to contribute to the startup’s large-scale growth in the East African market. AltSchool aims to localize its experience, ensuring that the curriculum is tailored to the Kenyan context. The goal is not to create something entirely new in Kenya but to incorporate localized content and activities to better serve the market.
AltSchool also mentioned changes in the payment process for Kenyan learners, exploring options to collect local payments through methods such as Mpesa. This move aims to make AltSchool’s offerings more affordable and accessible to the Kenyan market.
AltSchool, operating as a completely online school, clarified that its entry into new countries does not signal a shift to physical classes at the moment. While not ruling out the possibility in the future, AltSchool emphasized its current commitment to virtual education.
The startup credits its rapid growth across 100 countries to obtaining a Certificate of Exemption from the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPE), allowing it to offer programs globally. Despite this, AltSchool expressed interest in collaborating with partner institutions in Kenya, aligning with its approach in Nigeria.
Tabitha Kayvu, appointed to head operations in Kenya, will be responsible for driving enrollment growth, facilitating payments, and ensuring a seamless AltSchool experience in the country. Tabitha, who has been with the company since before the school’s inception as a product of TalentQL, is expected to play a key role in building and growing AltSchool’s community in Kenya.
