Douglas Olsen
Africa has the world's youngest and fastest-growing population, with a median age of 19, and a projected 23% of the global workforce by 2050. The continent's booming population has resulted in a surge of international students from Africa, with a growing trend of intra-Africa student mobility. In 2020, over 624,271 students studied abroad, a 41% increase from 2010, with France, China, and the US being the top three destinations. The primary reason for this surge is the lack of higher education opportunities in their home countries, with only 9% of college-aged students enrolled in tertiary education.
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What You'll Learn
The number of African students studying abroad has increased
Africa has the world's youngest and fastest-growing population, with a median age of about 19 years. By 2050, the continent's population is projected to comprise 23% of the world's labour force. This burgeoning number of college-aged students has resulted in a growing trend of African students seeking higher education abroad.
In 2014, Africa sent about 427,311 tertiary-level students abroad. This number rose to an all-time high of more than 624,271 in 2020, up by 41% from 2010 and by 122% from 2000. France was the top destination for Africans seeking higher education abroad in 2020, hosting approximately 126,000 African students. China came in second with roughly 81,500 students, while the United States was third with approximately 48,000. Other popular destinations for African students outside the continent include Germany, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Türkiye, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Malaysia, Russia, India, Australia, Belgium, Cuba, Brazil, Italy, and Spain.
The increase in the number of African students studying abroad has been attributed to various factors. One of the main reasons is the lack of adequate facilities and the low quality of higher education institutions in their home countries. According to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), only two of the top 500 universities in the world are in Africa, both in South Africa. This capacity issue in domestic higher education systems has driven African students to seek better standards of education abroad. Additionally, the growing African middle class means more students can afford post-secondary education, either at home or abroad.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a drop in international enrollment in the United States, but this drop was smaller among students from Africa. This, coupled with a decline in student interest from once-reliable sources like China, has led U.S. colleges and universities to increasingly focus their recruitment efforts on Africa. Experts believe that Africa will be the next recruiting hotspot for international students, with countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana expected to see a potential boom in enrollments.
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France is the most popular destination for African students
Africa has the world's youngest and fastest-growing population, with a median age of about 19 years. The population is projected to comprise 23% of the world's labour force by 2050. As a result, there is a rising demand for higher education among the youth in Africa.
In 2020, France hosted approximately 126,000 African students, making it the most popular destination for Africans seeking higher education abroad. This is further supported by a report from Campus France, which states that France remains the top destination for students from Sub-Saharan Africa. 14% of students from the region study in France, ahead of the United States (10%) and South Africa (7%).
France's popularity among African students can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, France has a strong offering of Licence (Bachelor's) and STEM programmes, which are particularly attractive to African students. Additionally, France's proximity to Africa and the availability of French as a common language in both regions make it a convenient and familiar choice for students. The growth in the number of Sub-Saharan African students in France between 2016 and 2021 was remarkable, with a 40% increase, outpacing the average growth rate from other regions, which was 21%.
While France currently holds the top spot, it is worth noting that there is increasing competition from emerging economies and middle powers such as Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia. These countries are attracting African students who are seeking alternatives to the traditional former colonial powers like the UK, Belgium, and Portugal. Additionally, the US and UK, which have traditionally been prestigious choices, are now facing challenges due to rising tuition costs and higher immigration barriers, causing international students to explore more affordable options.
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US colleges are increasingly looking to recruit African students
US colleges are increasingly looking to recruit students from Africa. This is partly due to the fact that Africa has the world's youngest and fastest-growing population, with a median age of about 19 years. The population is projected to comprise 23% of the world's labour force by 2050. This burgeoning number of college-aged students has resulted in a capacity crisis in domestic African Higher Education institutions. For example, in Nigeria, 38,000 qualified applicants were turned away from universities in 2017.
A growing African middle class also means that more students can afford to pursue post-secondary education abroad. The US is an attractive destination for African students, with approximately 48,000 African students in 2020 choosing to study there. This number is likely to increase due to the US's reputation as a hub for education, cultural exchange and talent development.
However, the US faces competition from other countries, such as China, which has mounted a significant effort to recruit African students as the US reduces its diplomatic, military and humanitarian engagement on the continent. China's strategy is paying off, with China-educated graduates increasingly taking up roles in African governments and businesses.
US colleges and universities are therefore having to step up their recruitment efforts in Africa. Amherst College in Massachusetts, for example, has seen nearly 20% of its international students come from Africa following significant recruitment efforts that began in 2007. At the University of Rochester, recruitment officials have also realised the benefits of recruiting more students from Africa, noting that doing so has "really changed the campus culture".
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African students are emigrating permanently
Africa has the world's youngest and fastest-growing population, with a median age of about 19 years. The population is projected to comprise 23% of the world's labour force by 2050. The continent has seen a decade of economic growth, with a growing middle class that can afford post-secondary education, either at home or abroad.
However, there are capacity issues in domestic higher education systems. The college-aged population is expected to double by 2050, and currently, only 9% of this cohort is enrolled in higher education. This imbalance, if unchecked, will almost certainly limit economic growth and social development and could worsen security issues.
As a result, there has been a surge in international student mobility from Africa, with the number of students from the region enrolled in degree programs outside their own countries increasing by nearly 170% over the past two decades, from 163,653 in 1998 to 441,537 in 2021. The majority of these students are enrolled in countries outside of Africa, primarily in Europe, the United States, China, and the Middle East.
This trend of African students emigrating permanently has resulted in a "brain drain" in many African countries, with highly qualified students and early career researchers seeking advanced training and immigrating to wealthier countries in the Global North. This has hampered the development of African economies, as these countries lose human capital.
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Intra-African student mobility has more than doubled
Africa has the world's youngest and fastest-growing population, with a median age of about 19 years. The population is projected to comprise 23% of the world's labour force by 2050. This burgeoning youth population has resulted in a growing demand for higher education. However, there are limited universities in many African countries, and those that do exist often lack adequate facilities and qualified teaching staff. This has resulted in a wave of African students seeking higher education abroad.
France is the most popular destination for Africans seeking higher education outside the continent, hosting approximately 126,000 African students in 2020. This is followed by China with 81,500 students and the United States with 48,000. Other popular countries include the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates.
However, intra-African student mobility has also been on the rise. In fact, in the last 10 years, it has more than doubled. South Africa is the most popular destination for students staying within the continent, offering political stability and a good standard of education with internationally recognised qualifications. Kenya is also becoming an attractive option, with the number of Kenyan students deciding to study in their home country rising sharply.
This increase in intra-African student mobility is facilitated by initiatives such as the Mwalimu Nyerere African Union Scholarship Scheme, which provides scholarships for 250 postgraduates to study in another African country. Additionally, the EU-funded "Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme" aims to strengthen human capital development and enhance mobility flows within the continent. These initiatives are crucial in encouraging students to stay local and contribute to the development of African economies.
While the increase in intra-African student mobility is significant, it is important to note that the number of students from African nations moving outside the continent remains substantial. This is due to various factors, including the lack of financial resources and disposable income, adverse effects of economic crises, and the desire for better standards of education. Nevertheless, the recent growth in intra-African student mobility showcases the potential for African countries to become major players in the international education market.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2014, around 427,311 African students studied abroad at a tertiary level. By 2020, this number had increased to over 624,271.
70% of African students surveyed cited "better education outside of my home country" as their reason for studying abroad. Other reasons include the availability of their desired program, and the lack of adequate facilities at home.
France, China, and the United States are the top three destinations for African students seeking higher education abroad. Other popular countries include the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates.
