Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 28, 2026

ADvTECH Group

Advtech is a South African private tertiary education company, with operations across Africa. In late 2024, the company operated 8 universities and 110 colleges and schools. In the same year, the group reported 105,710 total enrolments, with roughly 60% of those being for tertiary-level qualifications.

Last revised
Jun 28, 2026
Read time
≈ 3 min
Length
701 w
Citations
31
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Advtech
TypePublic
JSE: ADH
ISINZAE000031035
IndustryEducation
Recruitment
Founded1978 (1978)
HeadquartersJohannesburg, South Africa
Area served
Africa
Key people
Alexandra Watson (Chairperson)
Geoff Whyte (CEO)
ServicesTertiary education
RevenueIncrease R8.52 billion (2024)1
Increase R1.79 billion (2024)1
Increase R1.10 billion (2024)1
Total assetsIncrease R10.77 billion (2024)1
Total equityIncrease R6.17 billion (2024)1
Websiteadvtech.co.za

Advtech is a South African private tertiary education company, with operations across Africa.2 In late 2024, the company operated 8 universities and 110 colleges and schools.3 In the same year, the group reported 105,710 total enrolments, with roughly 60% of those being for tertiary-level qualifications.1

History

Advtech is Africa's largest private education provider and4 the holding company of the Independent Institute of Education which operates tertiary education brands including Emeris,, Rosebank College, Rosebank International University College, Capsicum Culinary Studio, and Waterfall School of Business.

The group operates a schools division with brands including Crawford International, Trinityhouse Schools,56 Abbotts Colleges, Southdowns College, Maragon Schools, Tyger Valley College, Centurus Colleges, Junior Colleges78 and Makini Schools.9

In late 2017 the company discovered fraud by a financial manager in its schools division.1011 That year, it began working on a new school in Nairobi, in the special economic zone Tatu City.2 In 2017, the company ran 90 schools in South Africa and Botswana2 across 47 campuses.7 It had 27,000 students enrolled under seven brands. It also owned nine tertiary education brands, and was listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.2 Its CEO was Roy Douglas.12

In 2018, it was expanding in Kenya and Uganda,13 purchasing a majority stake in the education group Scholé Ltd.14 Also in 2018, it acquired Monash South Africa (MSA) in Johannesburg. It had also recently acquired Capsicum Culinary Studio, The Private Hotel School and Oxbridge Academy.15 It acquired a 71% stake in the Makini Schools in 2018. By 2021, its stake was 94%.3

The CEO of the Advtech Group in 2024 was Geoff Whyte. He succeeded Roy Douglas, who retired from the position as of February 2024. Chairman in 2024 was Chris Boulle.16 In 2014, Advtech bought 100% of Flipper International School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.17 The deal was for US$7.5 million.3 In April 2024, it was reported that Advtech would be expanding into health education, particularly nursing.9

In June 2026, it was announced that the Tyger Valley College and Pecan Wood College schools originally founded by the Centurus Colleges educational group will be merged into two larger school divisions. Tyger Valley College will join the Trinityhouse family and will be known as Trinityhouse Tyger Valley.18 Pecanwood College will join the Pinnacle College family and be known as Pinnacle College Pecanwood. These changes will be in effect after the 1st of January 2027.19 The Trinityhouse and Pinnacle College educational brands are already owned and operated under the Advtech Group so the transitions will be smooth and will unify Advtech's administration and branding.

References

References

  1. "Annual Integrated Report, 2024" (PDF). ADvTECH. 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  2. Waruru, Maina (31 August 2017). "South Africa's ADvTECH plans East Africa expansion". thepienews.com. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  3. "Makini School owner expands with Sh968m Ethiopia acquisition - Business Daily". businessdailyafrica.com.
  4. "ADvTECH bolsters East African schools | Companies". inceconnect.co.za. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  5. "About Us | Christian School | Trinityhouse". trinityhouse.co.za. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  6. Ingram, Amy (25 July 2016). "Trinityhouse unveils the Little Falls High School". Roodepoort Record.
  7. "Crawford Schools owner Advtech reports 22% rise in interim revenue".
  8. "Advtech Group | Education Brands". advtech.co.za. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  9. Waruru, Maina (10 April 2024). "South Africa's Advtech Group to enter healthcare".
  10. "Education group ADvTECH comes clean on fraud". Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  11. "Fraud hits Advtech stock". Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  12. Dludla, Siphelele. "Advtech makes R344m interim profit on growing tertiary division". IOL.
  13. "Advtech bolsters presence in Africa". 4 April 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018 – via PressReader.
  14. https://www.reuters.com/article/advtech-ma/corrected-south-africas-advtech-expands-schools-business-into-east-africa-idINL5N1RG1H8/
  15. "ADvTech on the education acquisition trail with MSA". Bizcommunity.
  16. "ADvTECH announces retirement of CEO Roy Douglas and appointment of Geoff Whyte as successor". ADvTECH. advtech.com. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  17. "Saham and Tana Exit Flipper International School". africaglobalfunds.com.
  18. "A Proud Legacy, An Exciting Future: Tyger Valley College Begins a New Chapter as Trinityhouse Tyger Valley - South Africa Today". southafricatoday.net. 25 June 2026. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  19. "A Proud Legacy. An Even Brighter Future: Pecanwood College Becomes Pinnacle College Pecanwood - South Africa Today". southafricatoday.net. 26 June 2026. Retrieved 27 June 2026.