ADvTECH Group

{{Short description|South African private tertiary education holding company}} {{Multiple issues| {{Promotional|date=March 2026}} {{Undisclosed paid|date=March 2026}} }} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}} {{Infobox company | name = Advtech | logo = ADvTECH Group.svg | logo_class = | logo_size = | logo_upright = | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | image = | image_size = | image_upright = | image_alt = | image_caption = | trade_name = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | romanized_name = | former_name = | type = Public | traded_as = {{JSE|ADH}} | ISIN = {{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|ZAE000031035}} | industry = Education Recruitment | genre = | predecessor = | incorporated = | founded = {{start date and age|1978}} | founder = | defunct = | fate = | successor = | hq_location = Johannesburg, South Africa | hq_location_city = | hq_location_country = | num_locations = | num_locations_year = | area_served = Africa | key_people = Alexandra Watson (Chairperson) Geoff Whyte (CEO) | products = | production = | production_year = | brands = | services = Tertiary education | revenue = {{increase}} R8.52 billion (2024)<ref name= "Annual Integrated Report, 2024">{{cite web|url= https://irp.cdn-website.com/24847d5c/files/uploaded/ADvTECH_Annual_integrated_report_2024-f5991fd3.pdf |title= Annual Integrated Report, 2024 |publisher= ADvTECH |year= 2024 |access-date= 30 October 2025 }}</ref> | revenue_year = | operating_income = {{increase}} R1.79 billion (2024)<ref name= "Annual Integrated Report, 2024"/> | income_year = | net_income = {{increase}} R1.10 billion (2024)<ref name= "Annual Integrated Report, 2024"/> | net_income_year = | aum = | assets = {{increase}} R10.77 billion (2024)<ref name= "Annual Integrated Report, 2024"/> | assets_year = | equity = {{increase}} R6.17 billion (2024)<ref name= "Annual Integrated Report, 2024"/> | equity_year = | owner = | members = | members_year = | num_employees = | num_employees_year = | parent = | divisions = | subsid = | module = | ratio = | rating = | website = {{URL|https://advtech.co.za/}} | footnotes = | embed = }}

'''Advtech''' is a South African private tertiary education company, with operations across Africa.<ref name="0:1">{{Cite web |url=https://thepienews.com/news/south-africas-advtech-plans-east-africa-expansion/ |title=South Africa's ADvTECH plans East Africa expansion |last=Waruru |first=Maina |website=thepienews.com |date=31 August 2017 |language=en |access-date=14 March 2018}}</ref> In late 2024, the company operated 8 universities and 110 colleges and schools.<ref name="0:17"/> In the same year, the group reported 105,710 total enrolments, with roughly 60% of those being for tertiary-level qualifications.<ref name= "Annual Integrated Report, 2024"/>

==History== Advtech is Africa's largest private education provider and<ref name="0:6">{{Cite web|url=http://www.inceconnect.co.za/article/advtech-bolsters-east-african-schools|title=ADvTECH bolsters East African schools {{!}} Companies|website=inceconnect.co.za|language=en|access-date=19 April 2018}}</ref> 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.{{Citation needed|date=March 2026}}

The group operates a schools division with brands including Crawford International, Trinityhouse Schools,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.trinityhouse.co.za/about-us/|title=About Us {{!}} Christian School {{!}} Trinityhouse|website=trinityhouse.co.za|language=en-US|access-date=18 April 2018}}</ref><ref name="0:7"> {{cite news |last1=Ingram |first1=Amy |title=Trinityhouse unveils the Little Falls High School |url=https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/228643/trinityhouse-unveils-the-little-falls-high-school/ |work=Roodepoort Record |date=25 July 2016}}</ref> Abbotts Colleges, Southdowns College, Maragon Schools, Tyger Valley College, Centurus Colleges, Junior Colleges<ref name="businesstech.co.za">{{Cite web|url=https://businesstech.co.za/news/business/193542/crawford-schools-owner-advtech-reports-22-rise-in-interim-revenue/|title=Crawford Schools owner Advtech reports 22% rise in interim revenue}}</ref><ref name="0:8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.advtech.co.za/Pages/About/Education-Brands.aspx|title=Advtech Group {{!}} Education Brands|website=advtech.co.za|language=en|access-date=18 April 2018}}</ref> and Makini Schools.<ref name="0:16"/>

In late 2017 the company discovered fraud by a financial manager in its schools division.<ref name="0:10">{{Cite web |url=https://businesstech.co.za/news/business/214217/education-group-advtech-comes-clean-on-fraud/ |title=Education group ADvTECH comes clean on fraud |language=en-US |access-date=14 March 2018}}</ref><ref name="0:11">{{Cite web |url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/companies/2017-12-01-advtech-to-restate-revenue-and-profit-figures-after-it-uncovers-fraud/ |title=Fraud hits Advtech stock |language=en-US |access-date=14 March 2018}}</ref> That year, it began working on a new school in Nairobi, in the special economic zone Tatu City.<ref name="0:1"/> In 2017, the company ran 90 schools in South Africa and Botswana<ref name="0:1"/> across 47 campuses.<ref name="businesstech.co.za"/> It had 27,000 students enrolled under seven brands. It also owned nine tertiary education brands, and was listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.<ref name="0:1"/> Its CEO was Roy Douglas.<ref name="0:4">{{Cite web|url=https://iol.co.za/business-report/companies/2017-08-21-advtech-makes-r344m-interim-profit-on-growing-tertiary-division/|title=Advtech makes R344m interim profit on growing tertiary division|first=Siphelele|last=Dludla|website=IOL}}</ref>

In 2018, it was expanding in Kenya and Uganda,<ref name="0:0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/business-day/20180404/281479276977547|title=Advtech bolsters presence in Africa|date=4 April 2018|via=PressReader|access-date=19 April 2018}}</ref> purchasing a majority stake in the education group Scholé Ltd.<ref name="0:13">https://www.reuters.com/article/advtech-ma/corrected-south-africas-advtech-expands-schools-business-into-east-africa-idINL5N1RG1H8/</ref> 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.<ref name="0:14">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/499/181718.html|title=ADvTech on the education acquisition trail with MSA|website=Bizcommunity}}</ref> It acquired a 71% stake in the Makini Schools in 2018. By 2021, its stake was 94%.<ref name="0:17"/>

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.<ref name="0:9">{{cite web |title=ADvTECH announces retirement of CEO Roy Douglas and appointment of Geoff Whyte as successor |url=https://www.advtech.co.za/advtech-announces-retirement-of-ceo-roy-douglas-and-appointment-of-geoff-whyte-as-successor#:~:text=The%20ADvTECH%20Group%20today%20announced,the%20end%20of%20February%202024. |access-date=10 March 2024 |website=ADvTECH |publisher=advtech.com}}</ref> In 2014, Advtech bought 100% of Flipper International School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.<ref name="0:15">{{Cite web|url=https://www.africaglobalfunds.com/news/private-equity/exits/saham-and-tana-exit-flipper-international-school/|title=Saham and Tana Exit Flipper International School|website=africaglobalfunds.com}}</ref> The deal was for US$7.5 million.<ref name="0:17">{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/corporate/education/makini-school-owner-expands-with-sh968m-ethiopia-acquisition-4836990|title=Makini School owner expands with Sh968m Ethiopia acquisition - Business Daily|website=businessdailyafrica.com}}</ref> In April 2024, it was reported that Advtech would be expanding into health education, particularly nursing.<ref name="0:16">{{Cite web|url=https://thepienews.com/south-africas-advtech-group-enter-healthcare/|title=South Africa’s Advtech Group to enter healthcare|first=Maina|last=Waruru|date=10 April 2024}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Education companies of South Africa Category:Employment agencies of South Africa Category:Companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Category:Educational institutions established in 1978 Category:1978 establishments in South Africa Category:Companies based in Johannesburg