
Pan-African Eyewear Startup Lapaire Raises $3 Million to Expand Across Africa
Lapaire, the African eyewear startup providing stylish and affordable glasses to the continent, is scaling up its vision with a fresh $3 million investment.
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Standard Bank has arranged a $22 million debt facility for Enko Education, providing fresh capital to support the school network’s expansion across Africa.
The bank acted as the sole mandated lead arranger and lender in the transaction, structuring a multi-currency financing package tailored to the education group’s growth plans.
The facility is designed to help Enko Education pursue acquisitions and scale its footprint in multiple African markets, as demand for quality schooling continues to rise across the continent.
Enko Education operates a network of international schools offering globally recognised curricula, including the International Baccalaureate and Cambridge programs.
The company currently runs schools in 10 African countries and has been expanding through a strategy focused on acquiring and developing existing institutions.
The new financing will be used to support further acquisitions and strengthen education infrastructure across several countries.
This approach aligns with Enko’s broader ambition to build a strong, pan-African education platform that can provide students with pathways to universities around the world.
The transaction also reflects the complexity of financing cross-border education businesses in Africa.
The facility combines different currencies, helping to manage foreign exchange risks while matching the company’s revenue streams in various markets.
Standard Bank’s involvement required coordination across multiple regions, highlighting its ability to execute deals that span jurisdictions and regulatory environments.
The deal comes at a time when investment in Africa’s education sector is increasing.
With a fast-growing youth population and gaps in public education systems, private operators like Enko are attracting capital to expand access to high-quality learning.

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