At a Glance
- ADvTECH entered East Africa with Makini Schools, adding 3,200 students in Kenya and Kisumu.
- The $7.5 million Flipper deal marked its foray into Ethiopia’s private education sector.
- ADvTECH’s R82 million($4.55 million) investment in South Africa boosted its foundational education market share.
Over the past decade, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange–listed ADvTECH Group has solidified its position as Africa’s largest private education provider through an ambitious expansion strategy driven by targeted acquisitions.
Led by CEO Geoff Whyte since early 2024 and chaired by Chris Boulle, the group operates a vast education network spanning kindergarten to university across the continent.
In the last 10 years, ADvTECH has acquired at least 10 schools and school groups across South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.
These include key strategic acquisitions such as Makini Schools in Kenya in 2018—adding nine schools to its East African footprint—and Flipper International School in Ethiopia, purchased in a $7.5 million deal that brought in about 3,000 students.
The group’s portfolio now includes over 118 schools and colleges in South Africa and Botswana, and a growing presence in Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, and Ethiopia.
ADvTECH also operates eight tertiary institutions across 33 campuses in South Africa under its tertiary division.
Through these acquisitions, Top 20 most exclusive safari lodges in East Africa has combined scale, quality, and innovation to become a formidable force in Africa’s education landscape. Its model showcases how visionary investment in education can drive both impact and profitability across the continent.
1. Gaborone International School
Location: Botswana
Year it was acquired: December 1, 2014
ADvTECH Ltd. agreed to acquire Gaborone International School(GIS) from Craig Chow for R92.6 million($5.11 million) on December 1, 2014, marking ADvTECH’s first expansion outside South Africa. Consideration includes contingent consideration of R2.7 million($0.15 million) based on revenue for the year ending December 31, 2015. Craig Chowv is the owner and outgoing Chairman of GIS.
2. Makini Schools Group
Location: Kenya
Year it was acquired: April, 2018
In April 2018, ADvTECH, in partnership with UK-based Scholé Ltd and Caerus Capital, acquired a 71 percent stake in Kenya’s Makini Schools Group. Founder Mary Okello reportedly received approximately Ksh930 million ($7.7 million) for her shares. The group comprises eight schools across four campuses in Nairobi and Kisumu, serving over 3,200 students from kindergarten through Grade 12. By 2020, ADvTECH had increased its stake to 90 percent, and by 2021, its shareholding rose to 94 percent, securing full operational control. According to the school’s website, ADvTECH currently holds a 94 percent interest in Makini Schools.
3. Flipper International School
Location: Ethiopia
Year it was acquired: November 21, 2024
ADvTECH completed a 100 percent acquisition of Flipper International School in Ethiopia for Ksh968.4 million($7.5 million) in 2014. The transaction added five campuses located in Addis Ababa, enrolling approximately 3,000 students. The acquisition marked ADvTECH’s strategic entry into the Ethiopian private education sector.
4. Elkanah House
Location: Western Cape, South Africa
Year it was acquired: 2021 (announced)
ADvTECH acquired Elkanah House via its subsidiary, the Independent Institute of Education (IIE), in a deal announced in 2021. The acquisition included six schools across three campuses in the Western Cape. Due diligence was pending at the time of announcement.
5. Summit College
Location: Midrand, South Africa
Year it was acquired: 2015
ADvTECH Ltd. acquired Summit College in 2015 for R82 million. Located in Kyalami, Midrand, the school offers boarding and day-schooling from Grade 000 to Grade 12. The acquisition formed part of a larger expansion strategy targeting high-quality private institutions.
6. Centurus Group of Schools
Location: South Africa
Year it was acquired: 2014
ADvTECH acquired the Centurus Group of Schools around 2014 as part of its ADvTECH Academies expansion. The acquisition included several premium schools and aligned with the company’s strategy to increase its share in South Africa’s growing private education sector.
7. Kathstan College
Location: South Africa
Year it was acquired: 2014
Kathstan College was acquired by ADvTECH around 2014 in conjunction with deals involving Centurus and the Maravest Group. The acquisition expanded ADvTECH’s school portfolio with additional primary and secondary education offerings under the ADvTECH Academies banner.
8. Maravest Group
Location: South Africa
Year it was acquired: 2015
The Maravest Group was acquired by ADvTECH in 2015 as part of a broader transaction that also included Centurus and Kathstan schools. The acquisition supported ADvTECH’s drive to grow its independent school footprint across the country.
9. Boleng Pre-Primary & Primary School
Location: South Africa
Year it was acquired: 2015
Boleng Pre-Primary & Primary School was included in ADvTECH’s R82 million acquisition package in 2015, which also covered Summit College and other local schools. The acquisition further strengthened the company’s presence in South Africa’s foundational education sector.
10. Glenwood House
Location: George, South Africa
Year it was acquired: 2021
ADvTECH announced the acquisition of Glenwood House in George alongside the Elkanah House deal in 2021. The acquisition was pending due diligence and intended to extend ADvTECH’s reach in South Africa’s Garden Route region with a strong-performing academic institution.
