Africa Consultants International

What Africa Consultants International does

Africa Consultants International (ACI) is a U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1983 and headquartered at the Baobab Training and Resource Center in Dakar, Senegal. The organization delivers three integrated service lines: (1) education programming — primarily the Experience Senegal Program©, a customized study abroad offering combining language instruction in French and Senegalese languages (Wolof, Pulaar, Mandinka, Serer, Joola), cultural orientation, academic coursework, homestays, and service learning, delivered in-person in Dakar and via synchronous online classes globally; (2) Health and Social Justice programming — community capacity building, HIV/AIDS response, reproductive health, and advocacy across 10 regions of Senegal and additional West African countries (Ghana, Mali, Guinea, Gambia, Benin); and (3) Evaluation/Research services — project evaluation, organizational capacity audits, conference facilitation, and research studies. The customer base spans elite U.S. universities (Harvard, Columbia, Georgetown, UPenn, Williams, Boston College, Boston University, Beloit) for study abroad, international development organizations (USAID, FHI360, World Education, EDC, RTI) for grants and contracts, independent learners for language courses, and local NGOs/community organizations for capacity building.

The business model combines tuition and program fees from study abroad and individual language classes ($23/hour individual, $15/hour/student group), restricted grants and contracts from institutional funders, and tax-deductible donations. Distribution is direct: in-person at the Baobab Center, through university partnership programs, via online synchronous instruction, and through field-based caseworkers across Senegal. The technology stack is minimal — a managed content website (acibaobab.org) with online registration forms and a Facebook page, with no app, no API, and no AI/ML components. Revenue is not publicly disclosed and the organization operates with a small team of approximately 15-20 staff plus a broader consultant network. ACI is governed by a Board of Directors including co-founder Gary Engelberg (President) and Lillian Baer (Board Member); current executive director Simon Lazarre Badiane assumed the role in June 2013 following the founders' transitions.

Name

Africa Consultants International

Legal name

Africa Consultants International

Website

https://acibaobab.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Africa Consultants International is a U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1983 and based in Dakar, Senegal, delivering customized study abroad programs, language instruction in French and Senegalese languages, and Health and Social Justice capacity building across West Africa for U.S. universities, international development organizations, and local NGOs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational and International Development Services

NAICS

Language Schools (611630), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Direct Enrollment & Third-Party University Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online-to-Offline Hybrid Language Immersion Programs (EDAIAEAK), Language School Accommodation & Student Services (School-Provided) (EDAIAEAO)

Keywords

• Study abroad programs
• Language instruction
• Cross-cultural training
• International development consulting
• Community health programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Bradenton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Study Abroad Program Fees: Tuition and program fees from university and high school study abroad programs, including language instruction, homestays, excursions, and academic components
2. Language Course Tuition: Fees for individual and group language classes in French, Wolof, Pulaar, Mandinka, Serer, and other languages. Individual classes at $23/hour, group classes at $15/hour/student
3. International Development Grants and Contracts: Funding from USAID, FHI360, World Education, and other international development organizations for health, social justice, and education programs in West Africa
4. Donations: Tax-deductible contributions to ACI as a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) organization. Donations support activities and programs

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ACI delivers customized study abroad programs (Experience Senegal Program) and language instruction in French and Senegalese languages (Wolof, Pulaar, Mandinka, Serer, Joola) for university students, high school students, and independent learners, delivered in-person at the Baobab Center in Dakar and online. It also provides international development services including HIV/AIDS and reproductive health capacity building for NGOs and community organizations (Pôles d'Excellence program), organizational development, project evaluation, applied research, and conference facilitation across West Africa.

Product overview

Africa Consultants International (ACI) operates a multi-faceted educational and development services organization centered around its Baobab Training and Resource Center in Dakar, Senegal. The core offering is the Experience Senegal Program©, a customized study abroad program that integrates language instruction (French and Senegalese languages), cross-cultural learning, academic courses, and service learning components. ACI provides both in-person programs at its Baobab Center and online language classes. The Health and Social Justice Department delivers capacity building, advocacy, and training programs focused on HIV/AIDS response, reproductive health, and community development across West Africa. The organization also offers specialized programs including the Pôles d'excellence community strengthening initiative and Mobile Task Team West for education sector support. Additional services encompass university program development, research and evaluation, conference facilitation, excursions, and homestay accommodations. The portfolio functions as an integrated ecosystem where study abroad programs feed into language and cultural services, while health and social justice programs provide content for academic courses and community engagement opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Experience Senegal Program©: Customized study abroad programs for students from universities and high schools in Senegal

Products and services

• Experience Senegal Program Customized study abroad program for university and high school students offering cultural immersion, language instruction, academic courses, service learning, and homestay experiences in Senegal. Delivered in partnership with U.S. universities such as Harvard, Columbia, Georgetown, Williams, Boston College, Boston University, Beloit, and UPenn.
• Language Programs (In-Person) Language instruction services for French, Wolof, Pulaar, Mandinka, Serer, Joola, and other Senegalese languages with multiple proficiency levels for independent learners and study abroad students. In-person classes held at the Baobab Center in Dakar (group classes CFA 8,000 per student, Monday-Friday 4 hours daily).
• Online Language Classes Remote language instruction in French, Wolof, Pulaar, and Mandinka available via online registration. Individual classes at $23 (13,000 FCFA) per hour; group classes (2-6 students) at $15 (8,000 FCFA) per hour per student. Includes a one-time $31 (17,500 FCFA) registration fee and $11 (6,000 FCFA) placement test.
• Cross-Cultural Learning Cultural orientation and cross-cultural communication training including Senegalese cultural values exploration, crossing cultures workshops, gender workshops, and re-entry sessions for study abroad participants, professionals, and organizations.
• Service Learning Volunteer and community-based internship programs connecting students with local organizations in Senegal for hands-on development work in education, health, and community development. Includes partnership placements such as with Habitat for Humanity Senegal.
• Health and Social Justice Programs Capacity building and advocacy programs addressing HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, community development, and social justice issues including policy dialogue, training of trainers, and support for vulnerable populations across West Africa. Funded by USAID, FHI360, World Education, Dutch Embassy, and AJWS.
• Pôles d'Excellence (Excellence Poles) Program Community response program strengthening NGO and CBO capacity in HIV/AIDS and reproductive health across ten regions of Senegal (Dakar, Fatick, Kaffrine, Kaolack, Kédougou, Kolda, Louga, Sédhiou, Thiès, Ziguinchor), supporting over 100 community organizations including women's groups, youth associations, key population groups, agricultural groups, and community educator networks.
• Research and Studies Applied research services covering education, reproductive health, HIV, nutrition, gender, female genital mutilation, poverty reduction, and conflict resolution topics in West Africa.
• Evaluation of Projects and Programs Project and program evaluation services through data collection, quantitative and qualitative surveys, interviews, and group discussions for development programs.
• Capacity Audit and Organizational Development Organizational capacity assessment and development services including governance system diagnostics, reinforcement planning, monitoring, and training for NGOs and community organizations.
• Conference Facilitation Facilitation services for international, regional, subregional, and high-level conferences and seminars.
• University Program Development Customized academic program development working with international education directors to design coursework, monitor content, and meet institutional requirements for university clients.
• Homestay Program Homestay accommodation placement with carefully screened Senegalese host families within walking distance of the Baobab Center for cultural immersion.

Named customers13 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.

• Family Health International (FHI360)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term implementing partner for HIV/AIDS programs, advocacy projects, and community health initiatives. Funded through USAID and collaborated on various health interventions in Senegal and West Africa.
• World EducationkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for HIV and Development training programs in Ghana, Mali, and Guinea. Collaborated on education sector responses to HIV/AIDS.
• Education Development Center (EDC)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational development organization partner listed on ACI's website.
• Research Triangle Institute (RTI)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational development organization partner listed on ACI's website.
• Institut Panafricain de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (IPAO)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerWest African institute partner in ACI's network.
• Habitat for Humanity SenegalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for service learning programs placing students in low-cost housing construction projects in Dakar periphery.
• Creative Associates InternationalkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerACI continued partnership with Creative Associates after MTT closure to strengthen HIV/AIDS Focal Unit of Beninese Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
• Population Reference Bureau (PRB)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Pop'Mediafrique media training project on health issues across West Africa since 1996.
• Peace Corps SenegalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on HIV/AIDS training in Guinea; language instructors trained at Peace Corps before joining ACI.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cross-Cultural Solutions: Cross-Cultural Solutions runs international volunteer and immersive learning programs in Africa with language and homestay components, overlapping ACI's service-learning and Senegal-cohort offering.
• Where There Be Dragons: Dragons runs experiential, language-intensive study-abroad programs in Africa and other regions for high school and college students — directly comparable to ACI's blend of immersive language, homestay, and service learning.
• CET Academic Programs: CET offers language- and culture-intensive study-abroad programs with strong language-school partnerships, including in regions where it partners with local providers — directly analogous to ACI's foreign-language-school approach.
• API (Academic Programs International): API provides study-abroad programs for US universities, including multi-city and cohort programs with language and cultural immersion — directly comparable to ACI's customized university partnerships model.
• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): CIEE is one of the largest US-based study-ab abroad program providers and a direct competitor to ACI's Experience Senegal Program©, sending US college students to destinations worldwide including Africa on semester, summer, and customized cohort programs.
• AMIDEAST: AMIDEAST combines study abroad, language instruction (including Arabic/French), and US-government-funded development programming — a structural analogue to ACI's combined education + donor-funded portfolio model.
• IES Abroad: IES Abroad is a major US university-affiliated study-abroad provider running centers and customized programs in Africa, with similar institutional client base and program-development model as ACI's Experience Senegal.
• SIT Study Abroad (World Learning): SIT runs thematically focused study-abroad programs (public health, development, language) and operates Senegal programs, directly competing with ACI's customized, content-integrated Senegal cohorts and language immersion.

Emerging players

• School for Field Studies (SFS): SFS runs field-based, environmentally focused study-abroad programs; less overlapping than SIT but competes for the same US-college cohort-customization and Africa-program bucket as ACI.

Regional players

• Alliance Française Dakar: Alliance Française operates language schools globally including Dakar, and competes directly with ACI's in-person and online French/Wolof/Pulaar language course offerings in the same local market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Africa Consultants International