Nairobi is home to some of the most expensive international schools in Africa, with parents willing to spend millions of shillings on their children’s education. According to the International Schools Database (ISD), the average annual tuition in Nairobi is Sh4.2 million (US$30,934), while the lowest fee recorded is Sh125,991 (US$935). The ISD data, as of 31 December 2022, shows a wide price range—from a minimum of US$935 per year to a maximum of almost US$31 000—meaning that, regardless of budget, there is likely a school in Nairobi that will meet it.
Demand for international schooling in Kenya has been rising, driven by a large expatriate community and a growing middle class willing to pay a premium for an education that follows an international curriculum rather than the local system.
Among African cities, Addis Ababa ranks second in cost, with an average tuition of Sh3.8 million (US$28 009). Johannesburg follows at Sh3.2 million (US$23 684), Kampala at Sh2.8 million (US$21 100), Casablanca at Sh1.6 million (US$11 734), and Cape Town at Sh759 181 (US$5 634). Cape Town remains the least expensive African city for international school fees, though it has moved up to become the second‑least expensive destination worldwide.
Overall, Africa still offers the lowest cost for international schooling compared with other regions. Of the 76 cities surveyed, Nairobi ranks 57th, Addis Ababa 64th, Johannesburg 69th, Kampala 70th, Casablanca 74th, and Cape Town 75th. ISD serves as a one‑stop resource for finding, researching, and comparing schools in cities around the globe.
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