IFC and Cogna partner to enhance access to affordable higher education in Brazil

São Paulo, Brazil, June 27, 2025 –  IFC is investing in Cogna Educação S.A., one of Brazil’s leading private educational institutions, to support the digital transformation of the undergraduate and postgraduate activities of Kroton, the higher education vertical of the company, over the next three years. This investment will help expand the access to affordable, high-quality education across the country.

IFC’s loan is designed to enhance undergraduate student engagement, reduce dropout rates, and improve the overall quality of tertiary education, particularly for low-income students. By focusing on skills acquisition, this investment seeks a transformative and inclusive agenda for youth, thereby fostering Brazil's growth.

This initiative holds significant relevance for Brazil, where low labor productivity remains a major impediment to sustained economic growth, especially in second- or third-tier cities and among the lowest income levels of the population. High-quality and affordable education can dramatically improve labor productivity, better align skills with market needs, and increase employment options.

IFC’s six-year BRL-linked loan of $100 million will support Cogna’s efforts to modernize its technology architecture, enhance its undergraduate learning platforms, and expand access to hybrid and digital education models, especially for historically underserved regions and population, benefiting millions of students.

“This $100 million loan reflects IFC’s confidence in our management capabilities and our commitment to social responsibility. These resources will enable us to modernize our technological infrastructure, enhance our higher education platforms, and broaden access to hybrid and digital learning models. Our goal is to deliver a more seamless experience that meets the needs of our over 1.2 million higher education students," stated Frederico Villa, Partner and CFO of Cogna.

“Investing in quality education is essential for strengthening human capital and empowering individuals to thrive and be productive in rapidly evolving economies. By partnering with Cogna, we are not only investing in the future of Brazil's education sector but also tackling critical challenges such as low labor productivity and skills mismatches in the job market," stated Manuel Reyes Retana, IFC Regional Director for South America. "This project exemplifies IFC's dedication to utilizing technology to enhance access and quality in education, ultimately promoting economic growth and development in Brazil," he added.

Cogna is actively participating in IFC's  Equality in Education and Employment (E3) peer-learning platform, which brings together higher education institutions from across the globe to advance gender equity in employability. This initiative enables institutions to better prepare female students and other under-served students for more successful school-to-work transition. This reflects Cogna’s commitment to gender equality and inclusion. Cogna has made commitments to strengthen its inclusion practices and expand opportunities for underrepresented groups as part of their participation in E3.

This investment reflects IFC's commitment to supporting innovative business models in education and leveraging technology to improve access and quality. Through these types of partnerships, IFC aims to demonstrate the potential for digital transformation in Brazil's higher education sector, encouraging other private education providers to adopt similar strategies and fostering broader innovation in the market.

About Cogna

Cogna Educação is the largest educational services company, offering a comprehensive portfolio of services and solutions tailored to meet the personalized and flexible needs of students. With over 55 years of experience, Cogna is present, both directly and indirectly, in all states of Brazil and in more than 5,000 municipalities, providing solutions and services across B2B, B2C, and B2G markets. The company covers everything from basic education to postgraduate studies through its verticals Kroton, Somos, and Saber. Cogna serves over 2.5 million students, including more than 1.2 million undergraduate and postgraduate students, and 1.5 million students through its 5,000 partner schools and educational institutions in basic education. For more information, visit our website www.cogna.com.br.