22 Aug 2024 Breaking Barriers: How AltSchool Africa and Paystack are Revolutionizing Access to Education Across Africa

In 2022, when AltSchool Africa began its mission, the idea of guiding learners through a 12-month online program seemed daunting. Our aim was to make learning both accessible and affordable for all Africans. However, these goals came with significant challenges.

One of our biggest hurdles was ensuring that every African, no matter where they are, could access quality education. Equally challenging was making this education affordable across diverse economic situations.

A Day in the Life of an AltSchooler: ANNA from Ghana

Affordability isn’t just about cost—it’s about understanding and addressing the financial realities of learners across the continent. For example, how do we ensure that Terry in Kenya can make payments easily in Kenyan Shillings, or that Solange in Rwanda doesn’t have to worry about fluctuating exchange rates? To solve this, we knew we needed to localize our payment systems. But how?

The answer lay in partnering with Paystack, a payment company that’s been riding the wave all over Africa. From the start, Paystack has been more than just a service provider—they’ve been a strategic ally, helping us navigate the complex financial landscapes of various African markets.

The impact of this partnership has been profound. Payment hurdles can often be a significant barrier to education. High transaction fees, currency conversion issues, and unreliable payment methods can discourage even the most determined students. By localizing payments, we’ve removed these barriers, allowing more learners to focus on their education rather than the logistics of paying for it.

Today, we’re excited to announce that learners in Kenya and Ghana can now pay for their programs in their local currencies—Kenyan Shillings and Ghanaian Cedis—eliminating the need for expensive dollar transactions. And this is just the beginning; we’re adding more countries soon.

Moreover, we recently announced our market expansion into Kenya in Q1 2024, a move that underscores our commitment to reaching more learners in more regions.

This achievement is a testament to what’s possible when two rapidly growing African companies come together with a shared vision. AltSchool Africa and Paystack are both committed to empowering the continent and together, we are breaking down barriers that have long hindered access to quality education.

Our partnership with Paystack symbolizes more than just a business relationship; it’s a collaborative effort to pave the way for Africa’s future. As AltSchool Africa scales new heights in providing affordable, high-quality education, Paystack continues to provide the financial infrastructure that makes it all possible.

If you’re interested in learning more about our journey and the opportunities ahead, we invite you to attend our upcoming Sales seminar. Click the link to register.