Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard Education Investment with Monde Nkosi

Affordable Independent Schools in Africa with Chinezi Chijioke

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Chinezi Chijioke (co-founder and CEO of Nova Pioneer) talks to host Monde Nkosi about his experience building a network of independent schools in South Africa and Kenya. Chinezi describes the diversity of the independent school sector, correcting a common misconception that independent schools only serve the very wealthy. He lays out the investment case for affordable independent schools across Africa, one of the few regions globally with a growing young population. Chinezi also discusses the social impact of the sector and shares some personal stories about his journey from Nigeria to two of the best universities in the world: Harvard and Stanford.

Chinezi has a unique perspective having been involved in education from multiple angles: in the classroom as a teacher, in the boardroom as head of McKinsey and Company’s education practice in Africa, and now as co-founder and CEO of Nova Pioneer, an independent school group with 13 schools in South Africa and Kenya.
Chapters
  • 00:08 Introduction
  • 02:50 Personal Background and Educational Journey
  • 11:27 Independent Schools Landscape in South Africa
  • 19:48 Investment Potential in Education Sector
  • 34:33 Nova Pioneer's Operating Model and Culture
  • 45:27 Future Vision and Ambitions
15 Apr English South Africa Education · Investing

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