CEO of SCHOOLAP Group · Executive MBA emlyon

Architect of AwaBoost

✦ Born from my Executive MBA research at emlyon, defended in November 2025

Bridging Africa's diaspora and the continent's next generation of entrepreneurs.

I help young Africans acquire an entrepreneurial culture and build companies that last — through training, mentorship, funding and diaspora mobilization. At the helm of SCHOOLAP Group, our team has built a digital ecosystem that impacts more than 3 million users every year through our solutions deployed across the continent, with over 5 million transactions and more than 1 million academic and school certificates secured on blockchain issued annually — partner of African Ministries of Education, Vocational Training and others, as well as private schools, companies and institutions for whom we deliver custom software.

Discover AwaBoost → ▶ Watch the video

Pascal Kanik, CEO of SCHOOLAP Group and architect of AwaBoost

Companies founded

40+

Team members

Digital platforms

Countries of operation

The project

AwaBoost turns diaspora solidarity into a structured economic engine.

What if the money the diaspora sends to Africa each year finally funded the continent's next generation of entrepreneurs?

$100B

Sent every year by the African diaspora to the continent

$2.2B

Raised by all African startups in 2024

<1%

Of those remittances actually fund productive ventures

Discover the AwaBoost model →

The ecosystem

Four pillars, one circular ecosystem

AwaBoost is a phygital platform that connects, trains, funds and supports African entrepreneurs through four complementary solutions.

Startup Academy

Training and upskilling for entrepreneurs: e-learning, interactive modules, certifications and progress tracking. The foundation of every entrepreneurial journey.

DiaspoBoost

Connecting the diaspora with local project leaders. Co-investment, remote mentorship, cross-border marketplace.

WeBoost

Competitive fundraising via online and in-person pitch sessions. Scoring, e-signature and transparent reporting for investors.

StartupAids

Solidarity crowdfunding for social-impact projects. Education, health, ecology, inclusion: the diaspora funds the causes it cares about.

Join the ecosystem

What is your profile?

Every AwaBoost stakeholder has a role, a space and a specific value to bring. Choose your path to join the community.

Entrepreneur

I want to grow my business

Access training, mentorship and diaspora funding. Build a company that lasts.

Start my journey →

Diaspora

I want to support Africa

Invest, mentor or back concrete projects in your country of origin — without leaving your life here.

Get involved →

Investor

I'm looking for African ventures

Access vetted, scored and mentored projects. Invest with transparency and measurable impact.

See opportunities →

Mentor / Coach

I want to share what I know

Pass on your expertise to the next generation. Coaching sessions, webinars, personalized support.

Join the mentors →

Trainer / Consultant

I want to contribute content

Create training modules for Startup Academy. Help structure African entrepreneurial knowledge.

Propose a course →

Donor

I support impact projects

Fund social, educational or ecological projects on StartupAids. Transparent tracking and patronage certificate.

See the causes →

Proof of execution

SCHOOLAP Group — a pan-African EdTech ecosystem

Before AwaBoost, I built SCHOOLAP: a flagship Congolese startup turning the country into a pan-African digital hub. Deployed in 7+ countries, partner of African Ministries of Education and Vocational Training.

Flagship Gov-Tech

DIPLOME.CD

National DRC platform: education ERP + issuance of ALL official state diplomas on blockchain + digitization of student academic records.

SaaS B2B/B2C

SCHOOLAP.COM

All-in-one school ERP platform. School management, student records, educational content, governance.

SaaS B2B/B2C

DIPLOMAPPS.COM

Digital diplomas, certificates and academic credentials secured on blockchain + AI. Tamper-proof and verifiable forever.

FinTech · Mobile app

COMPTAPPS

Mobile accounting app for African entrepreneurs, micro-businesses and SMEs. Works online or offline.

Gov-Tech DRC

FORMAPRO.CD

Vocational Training management system — partnership with the DRC Ministry of Vocational Training.

Gov-Tech AI

EQUALIZER

AI solution for the processing, grading and review of state examinations.

Discover SCHOOLAP Group →

🇨🇩 DRC 🇦🇪 UAE / Dubai 🇰🇪 Kenya 🇨🇮 Côte d'Ivoire 🇧🇯 Benin 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso 🇲🇱 Mali

My journey

From Kinshasa to Dubai, building the future.

Born in the DRC, I founded SCHOOLAP in 2018 with one conviction: digitizing African education to make it accessible and sustainable. Seven years later, the Group operates in 7+ countries, serves ministries and impacts more than 3 million users every year, with 5 million transactions and 1 million academic and school certificates secured on blockchain issued annually from its Dubai hub.

My Executive MBA at emlyon (Lyon, 2025) gave me the framework to formalize an intuition I had carried for years: Africa's diaspora is the continent's most underused leverage. AwaBoost is the fruit of that research.

Read my full journey →

🏆 Seedstars EdTech Winner 2019 🏆 Rawbank Prize 2018 🏆 KDW Startup Contest 2018 🏆 OIF Pioneers 🏆 COPA World Bank

Insights

An African entrepreneur's notebook

My analyses on African entrepreneurship, the diaspora, EdTech and the building of sustainable ecosystems.

Diaspora · May 2026

$100B: why diaspora money doesn't fund entrepreneurial Africa

Anatomy of a paradox: the diaspora sends 45× more money than VCs raise for African startups. Where does it all go — and how do we redirect it?

Read the article →

Entrepreneurship · February 2026

Phygital isn't optional for African entrepreneurship — it's a strategic must

65% of Africans are not online. Why any 100% digital solution excludes two-thirds of the market — whatever your sector — and what seven years of fieldwork taught me.