When recruiting in Africa, you’re either too early or too late – or both

Thanks Anna for the interesting article on the importance of Sub-Saharan Africa for the UK Higher Education Sector. Whilst the projected growth of the region's youth population might make many of the countries seem like attractive target markets, it is important for institutions to properly understand the major trends in the different countries. They also need to understand the ways in which the political environment affects the demand for overseas higher education and how those factors are likely to change in the near future. We also cannot afford to forget the fact that for most African students and their parents overseas higher education is a major investment that should lead to an opportunity to get a better life in the study destination. Our best recruitment strategy might well be to encourage our government to create a much more welcoming environment for overseas students.