Who Owns Crawford International?

Crawford International was established in 1993 as part of ADvTECH's founding portfolio of private schools. The brand was created to offer an alternative to the traditional South African school system, providing international curricula and a global perspective to South African families.

The first Crawford schools opened in Johannesburg, targeting families who wanted an internationally recognized education for their children. The schools offered the Cambridge International curriculum, which is recognized by universities worldwide. This positioning appealed to parents who planned to send their children to overseas universities or who wanted a broader educational framework than the South African national curriculum provided.

Through the 1990s and 2000s, Crawford International expanded within South Africa, opening campuses in major cities including Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban. The brand established a reputation for academic excellence, with consistently strong matriculation results. Crawford schools regularly ranked among the top-performing schools in the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) results.

In 2018, ADvTECH entered Kenya through the acquisition of Makini Schools and the launch of the Crawford brand in that market. Crawford International Kenya increased its capacity from 900 to 1,300 students, reflecting strong demand for the Cambridge International curriculum among Kenyan parents. ADvTECH reported that its premium-priced Cambridge International curriculum continues to grow in Kenya, with parents increasingly choosing it over the national syllabus.

In January 2026, ADvTECH announced impressive 2025 IEB matric results. Three of its schools, Crawford Sandton, Crawford La Lucia, and Glenwood House, were ranked among the top 10 co-educational schools in South Africa. Across its 103 South African schools, ADvTECH achieved a 99.7% pass rate and 94% bachelor's pass rate, with 3,371 distinctions at an average of 2.1 per student. A total of 16 ADvTECH students were recognized for Outstanding Performance by the IEB, and 14 for Commendable Achievement.

ADvTECH has invested significantly in AI-enhanced personalized learning and teacher training. Desiree Hugo, academic head at ADvTECH Schools, said the group's performance resulted from numerous initiatives introduced over the past few years, including analytical focus on academic data to ensure improvement for every student.

In September 2025, ADvTECH acquired Regis Runda Academy in Nairobi, Kenya, for R171.2 million, rebranding it as Makini School Runda. Student enrollment at the school has since grown by 17% to nearly 1,400, with room to accommodate up to 3,000 learners. Makini Statehouse in Nairobi secured a long-term lease and is undergoing a R39 million expansion that will more than double its capacity to 575 students, with completion scheduled for December 2026.