Uganda’s capital beats Nairobi, Johannesburg and Casablanca on cost, new global research shows
New research by the International Schools Database has ranked Kampala as the second cheapest city in the world to enrol a child in an international school, and the cheapest of any major city on the African continent.
According to the findings, the median annual cost of attending an international school in Kampala in 2025 stood at $4,153 — less than half the $8,633 median recorded in Nairobi, Kenya, which topped the list as Africa’s most expensive city for international education.
The study, which analysed price data from six cities across five African countries, placed Uganda’s capital well below other major regional hubs. Johannesburg, South Africa, recorded a median cost of $6,699, while Casablanca, Morocco, came in at $6,108. Cape Town followed at $4,566, and schools in Mauritius averaged $4,407 — putting Kampala at the very bottom of the African cost table.
Africa cheaper than the rest of the world
The research also found that, on the whole, international schooling in Africa remains more affordable than in other parts of the globe. Africa was the only world region where median international school costs did not exceed $10,000, and no African city in the sample recorded maximum fees above $40,000.
Even within countries, prices vary widely
The data also revealed sharp differences in pricing within individual countries. In South Africa, for example, the median cost of an international school in Johannesburg was 32% higher than in Cape Town — a gap researchers say highlights how local market conditions, school reputation and demand can shift prices even within the same country.
Why it matters for Kampala
Researchers say the figures reflect a growing trend of international schools establishing themselves across African capitals as demand from expatriate and local families rises. For Kampala, the relatively low cost positions the city as an increasingly attractive option for families — both Ugandan and foreign — seeking an internationally recognised education without the price tag seen in neighbouring Nairobi or further afield in Johannesburg.
Methodology
The research, compiled by the International Schools Database, calculated prices based on the full cost of one term for a 6-year-old child, excluding one-off fees such as enrolment or application charges, and excluding free schools. Only cities with seven or more international schools, and with pricing data publicly available for at least 25% of those schools, were included. All figures were converted to US dollars using exchange rates as of 31 December 2025.
Africa Rankings: Median Annual Cost of International Schools (2025)
| Rank | City | Median Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nairobi | $8,633 |
| 2 | Johannesburg | $6,699 |
| 3 | Casablanca | $6,108 |
| 4 | Cape Town | $4,566 |
| 5 | Mauritius | $4,407 |
| 6 | Kampala | $4,153 |
Source: International Schools Database
The full African research, including detailed box-plot graphs showing the spread of prices in each city, is available at: www.international-schools-database.com
Global rankings covering cities worldwide can be found at: www.international-schools-database.com
