In 2013 and 2016, IFC invested a total of US$13.5m equity in NewGlobe Schools, Inc, which owned Bridge International Academies ("Bridge" or the “Company”), Africa’s largest chain of low-cost schools. According to IFC, at the time of its investment, the Company operated 211 schools serving over 57,000 students in Kenya and aimed to provide quality education to children from families earning less than $2 per person per day. The investment was intended to support an increase in the number of schools in Kenya and expansion to 3 new countries.

IFC exited its investment in NewGlobe Schools, Inc. (the parent company of Bridge International Academies) effective March 3, 2022.

In February 2020, CAO received a complaint from a parent of a student enrolled at the Bridge International Academy Kwa Njenga Msq (Bridge), in Kenya, with support from the East Africa Centre for Human Rights (EACHRights), and the Katiba Institute, two Kenyan NGO’s. The complaint concerns an alleged electrocution incident which occurred at the school.

In February 2020, CAO found the complaint eligible and began an assessment of the complaint. During the assessment, the complainants and the company agreed to engage in a voluntary dialogue process to try to resolve the dispute. CAO’s assessment report is available in English and Kiswahili.

On June 14, 2024, the parties signed an agreement and issued a joint statement. As a result of the voluntary dispute resolution process, the case was resolved.
 

At the request of the parties, the content of the agreement will be kept confidential.