African EdTech SchoolTry Integrates AI for Student Job Matching and Opportunity Access

Ismail Eleburuike, a Nigerian founder based in Sweden, established SchoolTry with the vision of digitizing educational experiences across Africa. Driven by a desire to improve the quality of education in his home continent, Eleburuike developed an all-in-one education management solution. SchoolTry initially targeted primary and secondary schools before successfully pivoting to serve tertiary institutions, offering tools for administration, course delivery, and student performance tracking.

The platform has expanded its reach significantly, operating in Nigeria, Kenya, Cameroon, and with pilot programs in Burkina Faso. SchoolTry currently supports over 400,000 active students on its tertiary platform, demonstrating considerable traction in key African markets like Nigeria, where it powers institutions such as Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Ilorin. This growth underscores the platform's ability to adapt to the unique challenges and opportunities within the African EdTech landscape, despite earlier difficulties faced by other ventures in the region.

A significant development for SchoolTry is its ongoing construction of an AI-powered job matching infrastructure. This system aims to connect students with relevant employment opportunities, including remote and part-time roles, by leveraging the data collected on its platform. Furthermore, SchoolTry is utilizing its data to facilitate alternative admission routes for students in overcrowded Nigerian institutions and to provide a pipeline of candidates for online universities, thereby addressing critical access and career progression challenges.

Despite its innovative approach and impact, SchoolTry faces the common hurdles of African startups, including market readiness and funding. The company has secured over a million dollars in angel investments and continues to raise capital to support its expansion and technological advancements. Its long-term ambition extends beyond digital education management, aiming to foster global learning and exchange opportunities for African students and researchers.

The pivot to tertiary education has proven to be a strategic move, generating substantial revenue and validating SchoolTry's product-market fit. By focusing on higher education and integrating AI for tangible student benefits, SchoolTry is positioning itself as a crucial player in shaping the future of education and employment for young Africans.