What United States International University does

USIU-Africa is a private university headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, founded in 1969 by William C. Rust and registered under the Companies Act (Cap 486). It delivers higher education across five schools — Chandaria School of Business, School of Humanities & Social Sciences, School of Science & Technology, School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, and School of Communication, Cinematic & Creative Arts — offering 19 undergraduate programs, 19 master's programs, and 4 doctoral programs. The university holds dual accreditation from Kenya's Commission for University Education (CUE) and the U.S. WASC Senior College and University Commission (WASCUC), and serves students from over 70 nationalities. Operational scale spans 5,001–10,000 employees, with the 48th commencement scheduled in 2026 indicating nearly five decades of continuous operation.

The core technology stack centers on Blackboard LMS for course delivery, Microsoft 365 for institutional email via Azure AD authentication, and an institutional digital repository (eRepo). Recent program launches include the BSc in AI & Robotics (2026), the online MSc in Data Science and Analytics with MLOps and Applied Analytics concentrations (2025, recipient of the 2024 QM Award for Outstanding Impact), and the BSc in Nursing (2025). Technology-focused education is complemented by student-led AI projects such as the FarmBuddy ML-driven recommendation system deployed with 247 smallholder farmers and the BreakFree AI-driven digital literacy initiative, alongside a research collaboration with EPFL's LiGHT Laboratory on federated learning and adaptive AI for resource-constrained environments.

The business model is tuition-driven subscription recurring revenue, with annual billing across undergraduate, master's, and doctoral tiers and variable pricing by program and delivery mode (on-campus vs. online). Application fees are a one-time charge. Supplementary revenue streams include executive education and short courses through the Centre for Executive Education, scholarship funding via the flagship Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (covering tuition, accommodation, and living expenses for disadvantaged African youth), and partnership-driven programs such as the Kalel Applied Behavior Analysis initiative with the University of Nevada, Reno. The go-to-market is sales-led through direct admissions, campus tours, education fairs, and referral pipelines via Mastercard Foundation and international exchange partners; marketing is multi-channel across a website, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, YouTube, and event-driven recruitment including the annual Career Fair hosting 180+ employers.

Name

United States International University

Legal name

United States International University-Africa

Website

https://usiu.ac.ke

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

USIU-Africa is a privately held, dual-accredited (Kenya CUE and U.S. WASCUC) private university in Nairobi offering 19 undergraduate, 19 master's, and 4 doctoral programs across five schools to students from 70+ nationalities, funded primarily through annual tuition and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (Private International University)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers) (EDAHALAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

University-Affiliated Pathway & Foundation Programs (EDAIAJAA), Short-Term Certificate & Micro-Credential Programs (International) (EDAIAIAI)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Undergraduate programs
• Graduate programs
• Doctoral programs
• Online learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue generated from tuition fees for undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs. Programs offered both on-campus and online with varying fee structures. Additional fees include application fees, laboratory fees, and other academic service charges.
2. Financial Aid and Scholarships: University offers various scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities. Notable is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program providing full scholarships for eligible students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
3. Executive Education and Short Courses: Revenue from executive education programs and short courses offered through the Centre for Executive Education, providing professional development opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

USIU-Africa is a dual-accredited (Kenya CUE and US WASCUC) private international university in Nairobi delivering higher education across five academic schools. It offers 19 undergraduate programs, 19 master's programs, and 4 doctoral programs delivered on-campus and online, supported by an admissions funnel, executive education, short courses, and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Product overview

USIU-Africa is a dual-accredited (Kenya and USA) private university in Nairobi offering comprehensive higher education through five academic schools: Chandaria School of Business, School of Humanities & Social Sciences, School of Science & Technology, School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, and School of Communication, Cinematic & Creative Arts. The university provides 19 undergraduate programs (2 online, 17 on-campus), 19 master's programs (5 online, 14 on-campus), and 4 doctoral programs. Notable programs include BSc in AI & Robotics and MSc in Data Science and Analytics (online) as technology-focused offerings. Additional services include the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program providing full scholarships, the Innovation and Incubation Center for entrepreneurship support, and the Kalel Applied Behavior Analysis program in partnership with University of Nevada, Reno.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Programs Portfolio of 19 bachelor's degree programs across business, technology, health sciences, humanities, and communication for prospective undergraduate students, with 17 delivered on-campus at the Nairobi campus and 2 delivered fully online. Programs carry dual Kenyan CUE and U.S. WASCUC accreditation, preparing students for global careers.
• Master's Degree Programs Portfolio of 19 master's degree programs spanning business administration, technology, health, and social sciences for working professionals and recent graduates seeking career advancement, with 14 programs offered on-campus and 5 offered fully online, including an MBA Online and MSc Data Science and Analytics Online.
• Doctoral Programs Four doctoral degrees: PhD in International Relations, PhD in Information Systems and Technology (STEM-designated), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), and Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), for academics and senior professionals pursuing research and faculty careers.
• BSc in Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Robotics Undergraduate degree in AI and robotics offered by the School of Science & Technology, providing students with foundations in artificial intelligence and robotics for technology careers.
• MSc in Data Science and Analytics (Online) Fully online 2-year master's program with three concentrations — Data Science, Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), and Applied Analytics — designed for working professionals and recent graduates seeking advanced data-science credentials.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing New Bachelor of Science in Nursing program within the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, a technology-driven nursing degree aligned with global healthcare market demands.
• Executive Education Executive education programs and short courses delivered through the Centre for Executive Education, providing professional development opportunities for working professionals and executives seeking leadership and specialized training.
• Short Courses Short-format professional courses covering specialized topics, delivered through the Centre for Executive Education for professionals seeking targeted upskilling without committing to a full degree.
• Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Comprehensive scholarship program providing full scholarships (tuition, accommodation, and living expenses) to African youth, including refugees and youth from marginalized communities, with supplemental components such as the E-Learning Initiative, Impact Stories program, and Entrepreneurship Fund.
• Innovation and Incubation Center University center supporting student entrepreneurship, startup development, and intellectual-property protection guidance for USIU-Africa students building ventures on campus.
• Kalel Applied Behavior Analysis Program Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) training program delivered collaboratively with the University of Nevada, Reno's Satellite Programs in Behavior Analysis, addressing the critical regional need for skilled ABA professionals (fourth cohort graduated April 2026).

Quantifiable outcome

• 83% of recent graduates started new job within their field
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Nevada, Reno - Satellite Programs in Behavior AnalysiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2026Collaborative initiative for the Kalel Program in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). The partnership enables USIU-Africa through its Psychology Department to offer ABA training in collaboration with the university's satellite programs, addressing the critical need for skilled ABA professionals in the region.
• GEOIQcoreTechnology or Integration · 3 March 2026Partnership between USIU-Africa's Placement and Career Services Office and GEOIQ to onboard students, enhancing career services and industry connections for students and alumni.
• Ecoloop Solutions AfricaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2026Donated a 400ltr Aerobin organic composter to USIU-Africa, supporting the university's waste management and environmental sustainability initiatives.
• Generation Change Africa (GenChange)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 January 2026Collaboration for the Pathway to Success Mentorship Program, connecting students with mentorship opportunities in partnership with Corporate Career Academy.
• Corporate Career Academy (CCA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 January 2026Partner in the Pathway to Success Mentorship Program alongside Generation Change Africa, providing career development support for USIU-Africa students.
• James Madison UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 December 2025Co-host of the Accountability in African Public Policy and Administration conference (AAPPACon). James Madison University hosted the successful 2025 conference and will co-host the 2026 edition at USIU-Africa's Nairobi campus. Partnership reflects ongoing academic collaboration between the two institutions.
• University of Pretoria - Centre for the Study of Governance InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 December 2025Co-host of AAPPACon 2026 conference. The Centre for the Study of Governance Innovation brings expertise in governance studies to the partnership, enabling a trilateral collaboration with James Madison University and USIU-Africa for the annual conference.
• Splicer FilmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican film production company that created documentary 'A Divine Journey' about Mastercard Foundation Scholar Divine Mugisha, helping to fundraise for her leadership academy initiative.
• Light of the World - RISE ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRISE Program by Light of the World provides corporate-readiness skills training to students including Mastercard Foundation Scholars like Doreen Vivi.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Strathmore University: Leading private university in Nairobi offering undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs with strong business and law schools. Directly comparable as a Nairobi-based private competitor pursuing international accreditation and high employer engagement.
• SP Jain School of Global Management: Multi-city private business school with campuses in Dubai, Singapore, Sydney, and Mumbai offering business and analytics programs. Comparable as a transnational private institution with cross-border degree delivery and a focus on international student demographics.
• Hult International Business School: Global private business school offering undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple campuses and online. Comparable as an internationally accredited, multi-country business school with strong emphasis on global mobility and online delivery.
• Mount Kenya University: Large private Kenyan university with multiple campuses and a broad portfolio of undergraduate and graduate programs. Comparable in scale, tuition-driven model, and private-university competition in the East African market.
• Daystar University: Private Christian university in Nairobi with programs in communication, business, and social sciences. Comparable as a private Kenyan university competing for similar undergraduate and graduate student segments.
• Aga Khan University: Multi-country private university with a strong presence in East Africa, focused on health sciences, education, and media. Comparable as an internationally accredited private university serving diverse student populations across multiple geographies.

Broad incumbents

• Kenyatta University: Large public university in Kenya with a wide portfolio of programs including business, science, and health sciences. Comparable as a Kenyan institution competing for the same national student pool, providing a benchmark for scale, program breadth, and employer recognition.

Regional players

• Ashesi University: Private liberal-arts and STEM university in Ghana with strong emphasis on ethics, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Comparable as an African private university with international accreditation, mission-driven positioning, and employer-engagement focus.
• American University in Cairo (AUC): American-accredited private university in Egypt offering US-style liberal arts and professional programs in the MENA region. Comparable as a US-accredited private university operating outside the US, with a similarly international student body and dual-system governance.

Emerging players

• African Leadership University (ALU): Pan-African network of private universities with campuses in Mauritius and Rwanda focused on leadership and 21st-century skills. Comparable as a transnational, mission-driven African private university pursuing global accreditation and a diverse student body.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/usiuafrica
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@USIUAfricaOfficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/usiuafrica
• LinkedInke.linkedin.com/school/united-states-international-university-africa
• Instagraminstagram.com/usiuafrica/?hl=en

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United States International University