In Summary
- African International School fees differ by more than $10,000 between cities. This is a clear sign of inequality in global-standard education access across the continent.
- While high fees often correspond to national income or economic size, cities such as Kampala outprice cities in lower-income countries, like Casablanca and Port Louis.
- Johannesburg’s median tuition is 30% more expensive than Cape Town’s, which suggests significant regional differences in the cost of education even within the same country.
Deep Dive!
International schools are considered by many as a ticket to life, success, and work in a global workforce. But for countless African parents, particularly middle-class and working-class families, the price of that ticket can be overbearing. Tuition for international schools varies dramatically across Africa, not only from one country to the next but from city to city. These figures are about more than what you get for the money; they give us a sense of wealth concentration and government investment in local education and of urban families’ strategies for getting their children ready for what lies ahead.
According to data analysis by the International Schools Database tracking international school fees across African cities in 2024, seven key cities were identified as having the most expensive fees in Africa.
7. Cairo, Egypt
Cairo, Egypt, is also among Africa’s cheapest cities for international education, only by international standards. The median tuition is $2,966 a year, and some schools charge as little as $1,470. But affordability isn’t synonymous with homogeneity. However, high-quality programs at the city’s top-tier schools still cost up to $15,815 and remain well beyond the reach of many families. Despite the abundance of international schools in Cairo, several options exist for parents of different income levels, but the gap between the lowest and highest fees means that there is a widening gap in access. However, of all cities surveyed, Cairo is the least expensive, and therefore more accessible for families that wish to pursue an international education without breaking the bank.
6. Cape Town, South Africa
The City of Cape Town may be a more laid-back place to live than Johannesburg, but the price for international school fees is still lower. It charged an average of $3,979 a year, but with only a moderately wide range of fees: from $2,276 to $9,544. Cape Town’s international schools are known for their strong British and IB programs, bringing in migrants and the money of South Africa as well. But a lower limit demonstrates that there are at least some possibilities for middle or lower-income families. With the cost of living going up and inequality deepening, many cannot even dream of an international school education.
5. Mauritius
Mauritius does not have a single standout city in the data, but a national average that makes it one of the more affordable high-level options. The average annual tuition for international schools here is $4,216, with the cheapest school starting at $ 2,491 and the most expensive topping out at $6,881. Mauritius makes it interesting how the range of international school fees is narrow compared to other cities. Although it can mean a low ultra-elite school, it also suggests a relatively stable and coherent educational market. For a small island nation, maintaining that range can reflect a better regulation or a more integrated approach to international education.
4. Kampala, Uganda
Kampala is one of the most expensive cities for international schooling in Africa, which can come as a surprise. In the capital of Uganda, annual tuition in international schools usually starts around $1,361, but can grow to $24,300. That upper range has made Kampala schools one of the most expensive schools in Africa. High fees suggest that a growing elite population is ready to invest in global-standard education, as well as increasing foreign investors and migrants settling in the country. While the start fees are relatively cheaper than other schools, the growth rate to $24,300 raises concerns about whether these schools are actually accessible to most Ugandans
3. Casablanca, Morocco
Casablanca is rapidly becoming a North African Education Center, but it comes with an increased cost. The average annual tuition in Morocco’s largest city is $5,441, with entry-level schools reaching $3,702 and elite institutions reaching $13,372 per year. There is a difference of $9,000 between the lowest and highest fees; a rapid tier system can be seen. Casablanca, as a commercial and diplomatic center, can explain the increasing demand for international school education, especially among migrant families and the upper-middle class of Morocco. However, for local people, fees at the top end make these schools rapidly inaccessible without significant income or a scholarship.
2. Johannesburg, South Africa
Johannesburg is not only the financial capital of South Africa, but also a city where international school tuition reflects deep economic division. The average annual tuition sits at $5,657 – more than $1,000 from Cape Town’s median. The cheapest international schools in Johannesburg start at $1,203, while the most expensive ones can cost up to $27,181 per year. That upper limit is the highest in Africa, showing that there is a strong demand for Ultra-Premium Institutions. The 30% difference in median tuition between Johannesburg and Cape Town shows how much space can affect educational costs within the same country.
1. Nairobi, Kenya
Nairobi tops the list, with the most expensive international school fees across Africa. The average annual tuition is $7,116, which is still the most expensive city in Africa for international education. Even the lowest cost options begin at around $1,512, while top-level schools can reach $33,400. This means that Nairobi’s cheapest international school still spends more than the normal average. The city’s growing technical industry, diplomatic appearance, and East Africa’s hub are likely to promote the demand for a role as a hub, but the cost also reflects a broad educational difference where only a specific class can afford a global-standard school
