AISA

What AISA does

AISA (Association of International Schools in Africa) is a nonprofit, membership-based professional learning association serving internationally accredited schools across Africa. Founded in the early 1990s and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with US 501(c)(3) registration, AISA operates as a regional platform-and-community rather than a software business: it delivers professional learning programs (Teaching & Learning, Student Support, Community Engagement & Learning, Wellbeing for All, Child Protection, Transformative EdTech, Leadership & Governance), peer practice groups, awards, and student scholarships to roughly 100+ member schools across approximately 35 African countries. Its core assets are intangible: three decades of brand trust, the seminal Child Protection Handbook (2016, with a 10th Anniversary edition launching September 2026), and a continent-wide distribution channel into African international school heads that no competitor currently matches.

The organization's revenue model is a portfolio of recurring subscription memberships tiered by stakeholder type and school enrollment. School-side income is split between Full Memberships (US$805–$12,700 per year across enrollment categories AA–F) and Provisional Memberships (roughly half of Full rates) for schools on the accreditation path. Individual educators pay US$100/year, Service Provider members US$1,850/year, Program members US$1,550/year, and Affiliated Consultants US$200/year. Conference, summit, workshop, and Professional Learning Institute registration fees, plus tax-deductible donations, supplement membership dues. The go-to-market is community-led: peer referrals within the international-school network, regional and global association partnerships (AAIE, COBIS, CIS, EARCOS, Tri-Association, ICMEC), and flagship events (annual conference, GISS, summits) drive both acquisition and retention.

AISA is governed by a Board of Directors and operates with 11–50 employees; it has no proprietary technology platform, no API, no app, and no AI capabilities. Its digital stack is standard third-party tooling — Squarespace, Google Analytics, Events Cloud, and external payment processors — adequate for membership and event logistics but not a meaningful differentiator. Recent strategic emphasis is on handbook productization (Child Protection Handbook refresh, new Student Support Handbook), cross-vertical educator development programs (Bese Saka, AISA Academy), and continental coverage through rotating flagship events.

Name

AISA

Legal name

Association of International Schools in Africa

Website

https://aisa.or.ke

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AISA (Association of International Schools in Africa) is a nonprofit membership association serving ~100+ internationally accredited schools across roughly 35 African countries with professional learning programs, annual conferences, peer practice groups, handbooks, awards, and student scholarships, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Full School Membership Fees: Annual membership fees charged to internationally accredited schools based on enrollment categories, providing access to complete range of offerings including professional learning, student enrichment, leadership opportunities, and strategic resources.
2. Provisional School Membership Fees: Annual membership fees for schools on the path to accreditation, providing access to essential AISA offerings including events, programs, and resources.
3. Individual Membership Fees: Annual membership for educators working in internationally accredited schools to access select events, resources, and regional network independent of school membership.
4. Service Provider Membership: Annual fees from businesses and organizations providing educational products and services to member schools, offering visibility and network access.
5. Program Membership: Fees from organizations contributing directly to AISA's professional learning program content and delivery.
6. Conference and Event Fees: Registration fees for Annual Conference, Professional Learning Institutes, Summits, and virtual workshops.
7. Donations: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from donors supporting AISA's mission to transform international school education across Africa. AISA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
8. Consultant Affiliation Fees: Annual fee for consultants to maintain listing on AISA website and gain affiliated consultant status.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

AISA is a membership-based professional learning association for international schools across Africa, providing tiered school and individual memberships, year-round professional learning programs (Teaching & Learning, Student Support, Community Engagement, Wellbeing, Child Protection, Transformative EdTech, Leadership & Governance), flagship events (Annual Conference, Summits, Professional Learning Institutes, Virtual Workshops), curated member resources and Practice Groups, plus student scholarships and educator/school awards.

Product overview

AISA (Association of International Schools in Africa) is a membership-based professional learning organization for international schools across Africa. The organization operates as a platform-plus-services model rather than a single software product. Its core offerings include Professional Learning Programs spanning Teaching & Learning, Student Support, Community Engagement & Learning, Wellbeing for All, Child Protection, Transformative EdTech, and Leadership & Governance. These programs are delivered through multiple channels: the Annual Conference (flagship multi-day in-person event), Virtual Workshops (online 55-90 minute sessions), AISA Summits (regional/thematic 1-2 day gatherings), and Professional Learning Institutes (in-depth 2+ day in-person events). Membership tiers include Full Membership, Provisional Membership, Individual Membership, and Service Provider Membership. Supporting offerings include Student Scholarships, Awards Program, Bese Saka (educator development initiative), Resource Center, Practice Groups, Affiliated Consultants Directory, and Strategic Partnerships. AISA does not offer a software product, API, or AI capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Professional Learning Programs Year-round professional learning programming delivered across seven strands (Teaching & Learning, Student Support, Community Engagement, Wellbeing, Child Protection, EdTech, Leadership & Governance) for educators and leaders at international schools across Africa.
• AISA Annual Conference Flagship multi-day in-person conference held each fall in rotating African cities (e.g., Kigali 2025), featuring international speakers, school visits, and collaborative sessions for international educators and school leaders.
• Virtual Workshops Online professional learning workshops of 55–90 minutes covering all program strands, providing timely, accessible professional development for educators and school leaders.
• AISA Summits Focused regional or thematic gatherings of 1–2 days, in-person or virtual, providing deep engagement for peers with similar roles and contexts (e.g., West Africa Summit, British Curriculum Virtual Summit, School Heads' Summit).
• Professional Learning Institutes (PLIs) Targeted in-depth in-person learning events of 2+ days focused on specific roles, topics, or school needs, featuring expert facilitation and peer collaboration.
• Full Membership Comprehensive annual membership tier for internationally accredited schools in Africa, offering full access to professional learning, student enrichment, leadership opportunities, and strategic resources with fees tiered by enrollment (US$805 to US$12,700 per year).
• Provisional Membership Annual membership tier for schools on the path to accreditation, providing access to essential AISA offerings including events, programs, and resources with fees tiered by enrollment from US$505 to US$7,770 per year.
• Individual Membership Annual membership (US$100 per year, 2026/27) for educators and co-professionals at internationally accredited schools, providing access to select AISA events, resources, and the regional network independent of school membership.
• Service Provider Membership Two-tier membership (Service Members at US$1,850/year and Program Members at US$1,550/year) for businesses and organizations providing educational products and services to AISA member schools, offering visibility and network access.
• AISA Student Scholarships Annual scholarships recognizing academic excellence, leadership, and service, offered in partnership with the Margaret Sanders Foundation for students at AISA full member schools (e.g., Margaret Sanders Undergraduate Scholarship, Margaret Sanders AISA Scholarship for Girls).
• AISA Awards Program Annual recognition program celebrating outstanding achievements by students, educators, and member schools across categories including Student Awards, Member School Awards, and Educator Awards.
• Bese Saka AISA initiative focused on growing professional development and career mobility of host-nation educators at AISA member schools through teacher certification access, recruitment support, mentorship, and professional exchanges.
• Resource Center Member-only online resource center offering curated materials including strategy guides, templates, policies, research reports, and case studies organized by topic for AISA member schools and educators.
• Practice Groups Peer communities connecting educators and leaders working in similar areas (wellbeing, safeguarding, professional learning, leadership, etc.) meeting regularly throughout the year.
• AISA Affiliated Consultants Directory of highly-regarded experts with proven track records of delivering impactful professional learning within the AISA community; consultants pay a US$200/year fee for affiliated listing status.
• AISA Strategic Partnerships Partnership program connecting mission-aligned organizations (leading foundations, government agencies, NGOs) with AISA's network of international schools through program sponsorships and program membership.
• AISA Academy Program providing aspiring teachers with a foundation in educational theory and practice through observation, assisted teaching, and collaborative teaching experiences at AISA member schools.
• Child Protection Handbook (10th Anniversary expanded edition) Expanded 10th Anniversary edition of the seminal AISA Child Protection Handbook (first published 2016) with additional strategies and templates for embedding child protection across international schools in Africa.
• Student Support Handbook AISA handbook designed to support student support services and practices in member schools, covering frameworks for student wellbeing, safeguarding, and inclusive education across international schools in Africa.
• Member School Directory Public directory of international schools across Africa that are AISA members, listing schools committed to fostering excellence, wellbeing, inclusion, and global citizenship.

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAISA is part of a global network of regional associations serving international schools. AAIE manages the Margaret Sanders Undergraduate Scholarship in partnership with AISA, providing annual scholarship for exceptional graduating students from member schools.
• Council of British International Schools (COBIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAISA collaborates with COBIS as part of the global network of regional associations serving international schools in specific geographic areas, working together to support educators, leaders, and school communities.
• Council of International Schools (CIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAISA collaborates with CIS as part of the global network of regional associations. CIS works with AISA to ensure member communities provide comprehensive, effective education and support for children focused on physical, social, and emotional wellbeing. Also partner on Child Protection through the International Taskforce on Child Protection.
• East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAISA collaborates with EARCOS as part of the global network of regional associations serving international schools in specific geographic areas, working together to support educators, leaders, and school communities.
• Tri-AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAISA collaborates with Tri-Association as part of the global network of regional associations serving international schools in specific geographic areas, working together to support educators, leaders, and school communities.
• International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICMEC equips AISA schools with tools, training, and resources to strengthen child protection and respond to abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The ICMEC Global Educator Centre for Excellence and the International Task Force on Child Protection provide resources on preventing and responding to child abuse, neglect, and sexual exploitation.
• International Taskforce on Child Protection (ITFCP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormed in 2014, the ITFCP brings together organizations to set new standards and raise awareness about abuse within international school communities. AISA collaborates through CIS partnership on child protection initiatives.
• Margaret Sanders FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing student scholarships including the Margaret Sanders Undergraduate Scholarship and Margaret Sanders AISA Scholarship for Girls, recognizing outstanding students demonstrating academic excellence, leadership, and service.
• Academy for International School Heads (AISH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAISH offers high-quality courses and community-building opportunities for school leaders. AISA members receive preferential rates for select programs and conference deep dives through this partnership.
• Strategic PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading organizations, foundations, or government agencies that align their mission and vision with AISA's, leveraging AISA's deep presence and established network across African international schools to achieve shared, catalytic impact. Unlike traditional sponsors, their engagement is driven by desire to advance specific strategic initiatives on the continent.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Educational Collaborative for International Schools (ECIS): ECIS is a UK-headquartered international educational community providing professional development, conferences, and resources for international schools globally. Closely comparable membership model and member base to AISA.
• Central and Eastern European Schools Association (CEESA): CEESA serves international schools across Central and Eastern Europe with professional learning, athletics, and arts programming. Same regional membership association structure as AISA, just in a different geography.
• Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE): AAIE is a global leadership community for international school heads and superintendents, providing convenings, advisory services, and the Margaret Sanders Scholarship jointly with AISA. Directly comparable mission targeting senior international education leaders.
• East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS): EARCOS is the direct functional analogue to AISA for East Asia — a regional membership association serving international schools with professional learning, conferences, and leadership development. Highly comparable operating model, mission, and member profile.
• Tri-Association: Tri-Association (Association of American Schools of Central America, Colombia, Caribbean and Mexico) is the regional membership association for international schools in the Americas. Structurally identical to AISA — regional scope, school memberships, conferences, professional learning.
• Council of British International Schools (COBIS): COBIS is a UK-based membership association for British international schools globally, providing professional learning, accreditation support, and student programs. Directly comparable in mission and offering; AISA partners with COBIS as a sister regional association.
• Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools (NESA): NESA serves international schools across the Near East and South Asia with professional learning and leadership programs. Same regional-association archetype as AISA, with overlapping member school populations.

Others

• International Baccalaureate (IB): IB is the curriculum and assessment organization whose programs are taught at many AISA member schools. It is an adjacent ecosystem player — not a membership association but a foundational partner to AISA's member schools and a potential competitor for PD budgets.

Broad incumbents

• Council of International Schools (CIS): CIS is a global membership association for international schools and higher-education institutions, providing accreditation, professional learning, and recruitment services. It is comparable to AISA as a global-level membership body serving the same international school ecosystem, with AISA serving as CIS's regional partner for Africa.

Emerging players

• Academy for International School Heads (AISH): AISH offers courses and community programs specifically for international school leaders and is an active AISA partner offering members preferential rates. Highly comparable in target persona (school heads) and curriculum (leadership development).

Market position

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aisa_schools
• Facebookfacebook.com/aisa.or.ke
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aisa

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about AISA