PRESS RELEASE

African educational group Enko Education takes over
Kalanso school & Kodonso high school in Bamako, Mali

Bamako, February 22, 2023 – The African international school group Enko Education, founded by Cyrille Nkontchou and Eric Pignot, is taking a new step in its development by taking over the Kalanso 2 school and the Kodonso high school in Mali. 

True institutions in the Malian educational landscape, Kalanso 2 School and Kodonso High School are undoubtedly among the best establishments in Bamako. Founded in 1994 and 1998 respectively by Ms. Nadine Quervel Sanoh and Mr. Dianka Sanoh, these two institutions have forged their reputation thanks to the excellence of their results in national examinations.

The choice of a transfer dictated by the heart and reason

After more than twenty-five years at the head of these two schools, the founders meticulously chose Enko Education, in order to ensure the future of the establishments while remaining faithful to the values of excellence and discipline that have made their reputation.

“We have spent the last twenty-five years looking after Kalanso 2 and Kodonso tirelessly and the time had come for us to pass the baton. Our two children now live abroad, and neither was ready to return to Mali to look after the establishments while we wanted to be closer to our grandchildren. However, it was out of the question to entrust the project of a lifetime to just anyone, and we set out to find the best possible successor to continue our work.” says founder Nadine Sanoh.

Mrs. and Mr. Sanoh now place their full trust in the Enko Education group, which shares the philosophy that has guided them so far. With its experience in managing schools in Mali and Sub-Saharan Africa as well as its pedagogical approach, Enko Education has established itself as the ideal choice to continue the educational mission of Kalanso 2 School & Kodonso High School.

Mr. Sanoh adds: “We were immediately won over by Enko Education’s approach and its school model based on three pillars: Africa as an anchor, the World as a playground, and the Future in everyday life. Our two schools fit perfectly into this vision. Enko Education has found the right balance between maintaining the DNA of our schools, which have made them successful, and modernizing them in order to prepare for the future.”.

A strong development axis for Enko Education

By taking over these two establishments, Enko Education plans to implement a vast program to strengthen the capacities of teachers, a program to support students in choosing their higher education, and a program to modernize school equipment. 

Mossadeck Bally, CEO of the Azalaï Hôtels group, president of the National Council of Employers of Mali (CNPM) and partner of Enko Education in Mali, salutes the work of the founders: “Mr. and Mrs. Sanoh have done an exceptional job in establishing these two institutions as models of excellence in Mali. There is a very strong demand for quality education here. With its experience on the continent, Enko Education brings an additional label of quality and innovation, which will greatly benefit Malian youth.”

In order to preserve the link with its founders, Mr. and Mrs. Sanoh will be part of the jury awarding a “Sanoh Scholarship” to help deserving students from disadvantaged families pay tuition fees.

This acquisition marks a new stage in the development of Enko Education.

“Many school owners want to pass the baton, to spend more time with their families while ensuring the future of their establishment. Enko Education can now welcome schools that share our values and wish to offer quality education,” explains Eric Pignot, Managing Director and founder of the group. 

Africa as an anchor, the World as a playground, the Future in everyday life

Enko Education is a growing group of African international schools, increasing access to the world’s best universities for students on the continent through quality education. Present in 9 countries in Africa (Mali, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Zambia, Botswana and Mozambique), Enko Education started its operations in Mali in 2018, with the opening of Enko Bamako. Located in Quartier du Fleuve, Enko Bamako is the first school in Mali to have obtained authorization to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. 

Enko Education now has over 600 alumni, studying at over 200 universities around the world, including Yale University (USA), University of Toronto (Canada), Sciences Po (France), African Leadership University (Rwanda), Capital University of Economics and Business (China), and others.

With the takeover of Kalanso 2 school and Kodonso High School, Enko Education now has 14 schools, 4 of which have been acquired. The group now has 5,000 students and aims to provide quality education to 10,000 students by 2027 with the financial support of Liquid Africa, Proparco, Investisseurs & Partenaires (“I&P”) and Adiwale Partners.

Press Contact 

Fanny MORAL – [email protected] – +27 84 802 7164 Mien DE GRAEVE – [email protected] – +32 479 299 588