In this insightful interview conducted by Daniji Emmanuel of StartupsVibes, Godsgift Ajomafuwe, the Founder of CareerLeap, shares his journey of creating a platform that bridges the gap between aspiring students and the financial support they need to study abroad. CareerLeap is transforming lives by offering funding, guidance, and mentorship to Africans looking to further their education in over 70 countries. Ajomafuwe discusses the inspiration behind his startup, the challenges faced, and the future plans for CareerLeap as it continues to expand across Africa.
Let’s meet you.
My name is Godsgift Ajomafuwe. I am a Digital Marketer, and I also work in product marketing and project management. I’ve been in the tech space for over a decade now. I run a startup called CareerLeap. We provide funding for individuals who want to study abroad but lack the finances. We offer up to $100,000 for a 2-year master’s degree (MSC) in the US, UK, Canada, and over 70 countries we support. Our financial partners in the US and India help solve the global education challenges we’ve identified, enabling students to fulfill their dreams of studying abroad.
We don’t just focus on securing funding; we guide students through the entire process, from admission and loan applications to visa processing. Our goal is not just to help people leave their country but to build individuals who can thrive globally, make their families proud, and contribute positively to their home countries. We’re big on capacity development, ensuring our candidates have a global mindset to thrive abroad. Our funding offers a 10 to 20-year repayment plan with flexibility, and we’ve already helped candidates secure their dream education, even those who thought it was impossible due to financial limitations.
How do you get the funds to actually assist these people?
We have financial partners, as I mentioned, in the US and Canada. In Africa, it’s challenging to get loans for education abroad. Our system allows students to access loans, which is common in countries like the US but new to Africans. Through our partnerships, we’re bringing this opportunity to Africans who want to study abroad. We’re working with organizations that are willing to invest in Africa’s education ecosystem.
How did you come up with the idea to start CareerLeap?
There had to be a problem before we generated the idea. We noticed three types of people:
- People who have the money to study abroad but don’t understand the process and often waste money on application or tuition fees.
- People who understand the process but don’t have the finances.
- People who have neither the knowledge nor the finances.
Education abroad is expensive, but in countries like the US, students have financial backing through loans. We wanted to bring that system to Africa, allowing more people to access higher education. While we’re not the first to do this, we’ve tailored it to the Nigerian and African market, making it easier for students here to benefit.
How long has CareerLeap been operating?
We’ve been running for 2 years now.
SEE ALSO: Spotlight: How CareerLeapAfrica Is Empowering Global Career and Study Abroad Opportunities
In the space of two years, what have been the major challenges you’ve faced?
I wouldn’t say we’ve had major challenges; it’s more of a learning phase. One key issue is trust. People are wary of organizations that promise to help them study abroad but fail to deliver. So, we had to build trust by showing results—helping candidates secure funding and education abroad. Trust is still something we work on, but we now have candidates in the US, and some set to resume in 2025.
What are the future plans for CareerLeap?
We’ve found that international payments, especially for educational purposes, are a major challenge. We are building a platform to make these transactions seamless. Our focus is expanding to more African countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, and Egypt. We currently operate in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and two other countries, but we aim to grow and help students across Africa make international payments with ease.
What’s the team strength at CareerLeap?
I am the Founder, and I have two partners. Currently, our team consists of 25 people, spread across Nigeria. Our headquarters is in Lagos, but we also have a presence in the US.
How do you select the students you assist?
We have an eligibility process. Students fill out a form, and we assess whether they are eligible based on several criteria. One key factor is having a good credit score, as we need to be sure they can repay the loan. We also look at their first degree and work history, which helps us recommend the right country, school, and program for them. Once they pass the eligibility stage, they join our College Academy, where we train them to adopt a global mindset and prepare them for job opportunities, both while studying and after graduation.